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POLE BARNS


Healthy lifestyle: Hitting Oklahoma’s bike trails


By Lindsey Morehead T


he great thing about bicycling is anyone can do it, says Terri Sullivan, president of the Tulsa Bicycle Club.


“A good many people learn how to ride a


bicycle when they’re children, then most get away from it,” she says. “But with more peo- ple becoming interested in fi tness and leading healthy lifestyles, we’re seeing more people getting involved in cycling.”


The sport’s resurgence may also be attrib-


uted to the growing number of public trails statewide, she says. “In using the trails, there’s a sense of secu- rity,” Sullivan says. “You don’t have to worry about cars coming up behind you or turning right in front of you. And you get to interact with other cyclists out on the trail.” Adam Vanderburg, owner of Lee’s Bicycles in Tulsa, says there are many paved and natu- ral trails available statewide for cyclists, moun- tain bikers and recreational bicyclists. “Oklahoma has a good trail system,” Van-


derburg says. “As far as paved trails, Okla- homa City has a nice trail system in the Lake Draper area; although I’d have to say the best trails I’ve ridden are at the Tulsa River Parks.” Ronnie Freitas, owner of OutdoorsOK.com, a website dedicated to the outdoors lifestyle, says many bicyclists visit his site to familiar- ize themselves with the trail options available. “We have a social networking area where people can post questions in the forum and view pictures people post of their biking, hik- ing or fi shing trips,” Freitas says. “It lets them ask questions and network back and forth. We


get quite a bit of traffi c, especially this time of the year.”


Before heading out on the trails, Sullivan


recommends a bicyclist fi nd a tuned-up, reli- able bike, safety helmet, spare tube and CO2 infl ator in case of a fl at tire, and a small set of tools. “If you’re going out at night or dusk, you need to have a blinking light behind you,” she says. “And if you’re going to be out for a while, you need to bring a bottle of water.” With dozens of trails available across the


state, Oklahoma Living asked Sullivan, Vander- burg and Freitas to pick out the top fi ve places to bike. (Editor’s Note: The following list is by no means comprehensive.)


* Vanderburg’s pick Lake Stanley Draper Trail Oklahoma City Length: 12 miles Surface type: Natural trail


Nutshell: Three connecting loops can be ridden consecutively or separately. Diffi culty levels range from very easy to diffi cult.


* Freitas’ pick # 1 McMurtrey Trail Stillwater


Length: 27 miles Surface type: Natural Trail


Nutshell: Four loops that total six to seven miles each can be ridden consecutively or separately. The trails make their way through the Oklahoma prairie and forested areas.


“The McMurtrey Trail is really popular with mountain bikers,” Freitas says. “It’s one of the best trails in the state.”


* Freitas’ pick # 2 Oklahoma River Trails Oklahoma City Length: 13 miles Surface type: Asphalt


Nutshell: Two trails run along the north and south banks of the Arkansas River. Trails are six to seven miles.


Tulsa River Parks paved bike trail Continued on Page 31 JUNE 2012 25 Cattlemen's 08-12-11 Oklahoma Living Magazine Ad.indd 1 8/12/11 5:16 PM


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