November 9, 2023 Vol. 24, No. 25
In This Issue FOUR SEASONS
Bike blast
Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
Edmond Wine Shop marks 50 years. See Page 13
Hundreds participate in Cycle 66
PHOTOS BY RICHARD STEPHENS, JR.
Cycle 66 takes off! 209 cyclists on the 66-mile route start at 800 on Nov 5, 2023, from downtown Edmond This group of 66-mile bikers climb a hill at the corner of East Danforth and Westminster Roads, Arcadia. PGCriterium races are fast, intense, and short, The Men’s Crit A racers round a corner at Cycle 66, Edmond
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Partly Cloudy High 60° Low 36°
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Mostly Sunny High 60° Low 41°
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Mostly Sunny High 65° Low 38°
By Richard Stephens, Jr. Whether whizzing through Criterium laps in a box shaped track or slowly pedaling straight ahead in a one-mile fun ride, 694 cyclists from 12 states chose a 1, 10, 33 or 66-mile route or Criterium race best suited to their fitness and experience level at Edmond’s third Cycle 66 on November 5th. “Every ride to me is all about quality rest stops and the scenery. This ride has plenty of both,” wrote Tina Walton of Choctaw. Edmond’s Mayor Darrell Davis came “to have fun and support the community.” Davis and Lt Governor Matt Pinnell provided opening remarks. Pinnell said, “Thanks for supporting Edmond and the race.” Two hundred and nine cyclists started the 66-mile course at 8 a.m. Randy White of Edmond pedaled with 19 other group members. “We kept everyone together. Safe. We go fast on downhills and flats.” Other 66-milers like Walton and
White agreed East Danforth and Sorghum Roads were tough (rolling hills and inclines). A large group of 33-milers, 271 strong, rode east on North Eastern Avenue, south on Martin Luther King (MLK) Avenue, west on NE 4th Ave, north on Lincoln Blvd (Route 66) past the State Capitol, then back home via MLK. Al’s Bicycles and Phat Tire Bike Shop hosted a rest stop at the Oklahoma Science Museum. Henry Holasek, who owns Al’s Bicycles of Edmond, and Jan Fees, Edmond City Planner, determined where rest stops were placed. His store bought “all the food for all the rest stops (six).” Numerous riders thought the rest stops were well supported. “Snacks are great,” said Lyle Kinley, adding, “Gorgeous weather.” The sun beamed brightly, warming the air to 80 degrees. Larry Wolverton of Tulsa, age 79, rode 33 miles. “I’m fine. Awesome rest stop.” Maggie and David Nichols of
Edmond rode the one-mile course with their two girls, Corrie, 6, and Merritt, 3 years old. Why did they come? “We just want to be together as a family that day,” she replied. Spectators were awed at the high speeds of the six adult Criterium (Crit) races on the 1-mile, four-block long by two-block wide course. Crits are short, intense, and exciting. Cycle 66 partnered with OKC Velo, a local cycling non-profit, to hold them. A Junior (age 11-18) and Kids (ages 10 and under) Crit Race were offered. Men’s and women’s Crit rides get longer, faster and more competitive as one moves up from “C” (category 4/5) to “B” (3/4) to “A” (1/2/3). There were 121 racers. Preston Ronck, age 15, of Rogers, Arkansas, won the Men’s Crit C race. “I’m happy that I won and I accomplished what I came for.” In the Men’s Crit B, Liam Olson, age 18, of Littleton, Colorado, won. continued on Page 3