4 minute read
Edmond Life and Leisure - June 20, 2024
Plans under way for the annual Cycle 66 event
By Richard Stephens Jr.
Positioning is everything. Go fast on downhills and flats. Always enjoy the chase – you don’t get stronger unless you’re riding with people faster than you. These tips were provided by long-distance bicyclists and criterium racers. They’ll use them – and maybe you will too – at the fourth Cycle 66 on Nov. 3, in Edmond.
Variety of rides
With a variety of rides and races, there’s something for every bicycle rider of all ages and abilities: 1-, 10-, 33- and 66-mile-long rides and Criterium (Crit) races.
All events start and end on South Broadway Avenue, between West 1st Street and West Main Street. The 66-milers take off first at 8 a.m., followed by 33-milers at 8:10, 10-milers at 8:20, then the one mile fun group at 10:00.
Lots of families enroll for the one- and ten-mile rides to get exercise with their children. In 2023, 694 riders from 12 states participated. Jason Duncan, Cycle 66 Ride Director, encourages participation, writing “The 2024 Cycle 66 Routes will show riders more Route 66 than ever before as we head east towards Arcadia, Luther and Wellston (depending on your preferred distance)!”
Cycling prices
Fondo 10-mile, 33-mile and 66-mile cycling for adults: $45; 10-mile cost for children 12 and under: $10; and the Kids 1-mile ride: free.
2024’s criterium registration will open this summer. In 2023, men’s and women’s criterium costs were $45 per event; Juniors Race (ages 11-18), $15; and Kid’s Race, free.
Please visit Cycle 66’s website for 2024’s routes, times and prices as well as sign-up for emails at www.cycle66ok.com.
Criteriums – riding fast and hard
Cycle 66 partners with OKC Velo, a local cycling non-profit, to hold criterium races in a three by two street “box” racing area. Crits are short, intense and highly competitive contests.
This year, there are eight races (10:00 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. start times) and they are organized a bit differently – by age group. For men, there is an age 1929, 30-39, 40-49 and 50+ race (all championship). Women have an age 19-39 and 40+ (championship qualifying) race. Cash awards for men and woman range from $40 (5th place) to $275 (first place).
Please visit Cycle 66’s website for 2024’s routes, times and prices as well as sign-up for emails at www.cycle66ok.com.
Something for Everyone
Many restaurants and non-food stores are open for visitors and there is a Kid’s Zone.
Whether competing, leisurely riding or simply watching and cheering on friends and family, Cycle 66 has a place for you too.
Spring training in progress for Cycle 66
Myron Knight, President of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma, based in OKC, started training for 33- and 66-mile rides in March. “In the beginning in March and by the end of April or May, we are riding hills with increased milage and speed. By the end of the year, we are ready for Cycle 66.”
Last year’s Men’s Crit A winner is Evan McQuirk, age 28 of OKC. He said, “…I'll train anywhere between two to five hours [four days a week]…”, cycling between 200 to 300 miles a week. He gave an example of his interval sessions. “I had four minutes at a very intense pace…the metric that we use is by power and heart rate…Then I take a break of two to three minutes, and then I repeat that hard fourminute effort, take a rest…seven times.”
Makenzie MacMillan of OKC took 3rd place in the women’s Crit B. She runs three times a week, five to ten miles; weight lifts two times a week; and cycles four-five days a week with a goal of 100 miles. “In the spring, I shoot for 100 miles a week and in the summer, my goal is 150 to 200 a week…”
Whether riding, competing or watching these three cyclists and hundreds of others, Cycle 66 has a place for you too.
