Ride Day
Important Notes
- See the map at bottom of this email showing the start-finish area and location of registration, staging for the ride, etc.
- All riders must wear helmets.
Riders must wear the bibs and wristbands provided. Riders not wearing bibs and wristbands may be refused rest stop and SAG services. We prefer the bibs be placed on the back of your jersey/shirt. The wristbands have a removable tab good for a cold one back at the start-finish line, so don't lose the tab.
- Young riders must be accompanied by an adult who is on a bicycle and riding with them.
- All longer distance routes are on public roadways. Riders must observe ALL traffic signs, signals, and state and municipal laws and ordinances pertaining to cyclists. Ride Safe, Ride Smart, and Share The Road!
- In case of emergency, call 911. You can subsequently call the Tour de Tulsa support number, 918-288-8926, to alert us. Note that the support number is printed on your ride wristband. If you don't have a phone, flag down another rider or Tour de Tulsa support vehicle.
- The support number is printed on your ride wristband, but it's alwasy a good idea to put the number in your cell phone: 918-288-8926 .
- The ride proceeds rain or shine with the exception of severe weather in progress or imminent. The start may be delayed and longer routes eliminated in the event of active thunderstorms.
Ride-Day Bib(Ride-Number), wristband, and T-shirt Pickup - Ride-day pickup of bibs, wristbands, and t-shirts begins at 7:00 am in the start-finish area.
Ride-Day Registration - Ride-day registration begins at 7:00 am in the start-finish area.
Ride Start Times - Distance Riders start at 8:00 am. Family Fun Riders start at 8:15 am.
Start-Finish Area - The start-finish area is located at the southwest corner of River West Festival Park, just inside the park entrance. The official address for River West Festival Park is 2100 S Jackson Ave, Tulsa, OK. Click here for a Google map of River West Festival Park location. Scroll down to see an aerial view of the start/finish area.
- Ride-day bib (ride number), wristband, and t-shirt pickup and ride-day registration will be located in the start-finish area.
- Pre- and post-ride snacks, salads, and sandwiches will be available in the "big tent" north of the registration area.
- The removable tab on your wristband is good for a cold beer in the Gear Up & Grub café (the "big tent").
- Portable toilets are located east of the registration area.
- Bike Shops provide mechanical support in the registration area.
Parking - Ample parking is available at River West Festival Park. Please park fully within a single marked parking spot. Other parking opportunities are available at the parking lot south of the river bridge on the west bank; it's just a short ride from there to the start-finish area on the West Bank Trail. Parking is also available along Riverside Drive on the east bank of the Arkansas, also just a short ride from the start-finish area. Scroll down for an aerial view of the ride start area and parking opportunities.
Riders are encouraged to ride to the ride freeing up parking space for out-of-area riders and avoiding the need to locate a parking spot.
NOTE that parking in the southeast corner of River West is reserved for River Parks staff and Tour de Tulsa volunteers. The area will be marked off with traffic cones and controlled by a parking attendant.
Route Markings - All routes are marked on the roadway or signed along the route. Be aware of these markings and points where the various route distances diverge.
The markings outside the City of Tulsa are circular with a line extending out from the circle in the direction the route takes at that point. They are also marked as TdT and have the route distance indicated. Here are examples of what to look for ...
The markings in the City of Tulsa include large arrow-shaped stickers on the street surface and/or signage on the right-of-way. We are not allowed to paint on the roadway or paths within the city.
Maps - No printed maps or cue sheets will be available, so print a hard copy at home from Ride With GPS if you want to navigate old school. Riders are encouraged to utilize the Ride With GPS smartphone app or download the GPX files from the Tour de Tulsa website to load on their GPS device. See route maps and downloadable versions on the Tour de Tulsa web page. PDFs of all routes are available on the Tour de Tulsa web page.
Route You Elect To Ride - Please ride a route that is appropriate for your fitness level regardless of the route length you indicated on your registration. On-road support will end at 4:00 pm; please plan your ride accordingly. No rest stops or SAG/Mechanical support will be provided after 4:00 pm and the start-finish area is packed up and cleared.
Rest Stops - Rest stops are provided at frequent intervals with water and snacks on all rides including the Family Fun Ride. Adequate hydration is important on any ride and especially if the temperature is warmer. Take advantage of the snacks to keep yourself fueled for the distance.
NOTE: Each rest stop is supplied with a floor pump and multitool and minimal repair supplies should you need them. Don't hesitate to ask to use them.
Emergencies During The Ride - Find a rider with a phone and dial 911 first! Then contact the Tour de Tulsa ride-day support number at 918-288-8926 and explain your situation. Be sure to move off the roadway and assure the safety of any injured riders. Members of the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club are cruising the route and their vehicles will have identifying signage. Feel free to flag one of them down for assistance. Similarly, mechanical SAGS are cruising the routes and can be flagged down to assist. "Signal" your need for help by tapping the top of your helmet with an open hand. First aid kits are available at all rest stops and from SAG driver for treatment of minor cuts and scrapes.
SAG Service During The Ride - If you need mechanical or other non-emergency assistance during the your ride, including if you need a ride back to the start-finish area, call the Tour de Tulsa support number at 918-288-8926 or flag down one of the Tour de Tulsa support vehicles. Move completely off the roadway or path while waiting for assistance. Tom's Bicycles and Spoke House Bicycles will be patrolling the ride routes in addition to the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club SAG vehicles. A common signal for those needing support is to stand at the roadside and pat the top of your helmet as a SAG vehicle approaches.
"Lantern Rouge" Riders (very slow riders) - Riders who lag significantly behind may be asked to SAG ahead or SAG to the start-finish area. Ride support will not be provided to any riders still on any of the routes after 4:00 pm. Riders who wish to continue riding beyond the 4:00 pm support cut-off will be asked to sign a waiver indicating that they recognize they are on their own without support for the remainder of their ride.
Weather - The Tour de Tulsa will proceed rain or shine with the exception of severe weather in progress or imminent. The start may be delayed in the event of passing showers at ride start time. If necessary, the ride start time will be delayed until 9:00 am and the 100-mile route will be eliminated. A second start delay until 10:00 am will result in elimination of the 60 mile route. If severe weather is still occurring at 10 am, the ride will be cancelled. NOTE: this is a charity ride benefiting Tulsa's River Parks. NO REFUNDS are made in the event the ride must be cancelled.