Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is a premier three-day cycling festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features two days of challenging rides in true Gran Fondo style and professional-level criterium races in three distinct festival venues. It is held each year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in early June.
Saint Francis Tulsa Tough was born out of a passion to create a top-flite, professional caliber cycling event for Tulsa. It’s founders possess many decades of experience in bicycling as riders, racers, successful event promoters, business and community leaders. A unifying value in the heart of every member of the executive committee is a strong love for the City of Tulsa and a desire to make a long term, sustainable contribution to our community.
“Our mission is to create events which elevate the profile of Tulsa and promote active lifestyles.”
Saint Francis Tulsa Tough was jointly developed by the Tulsa Sports Commission and Tulsa Wheelmen and is an independent 501(c)(3) organization supported by corporate sponsorship. Guidance for the event comes from an executive committee made up of several Tulsa area cyclists and business leaders.
If you would like to support our efforts, please consider donating or contact us to discuss sponsorship.
Races
Saint Francis Tulsa Tough races feature professional and amateur racers from across the country racing criterium style on three different venues in the streets of Downtown Tulsa and along the Arkansas River. Prize money rivals the largest purses in the nation. The quality of the venues and the top level race operation already has professional teams making Tulsa an important stop on their annual racing schedules.
In 2008, Saint Francs Tulsa Tough’s women’s pro races were selected by USA Cycling to be on the prestigious National Racing Calendar. Based on voting by racers, race officials, and announcers, our criteriums was ranked in the top 10 out of 30 NRC races in only its third year. With this proven success, the men’s and women’s races have been on the National Racing Calendar every year since.
Our ranking in the top four among all NRC events is significant. Top professional cycling teams plan their domestic racing schedules around NRC events, assuring a high level of national attention on the hosting events. This year’s Pro events will be live streaming on VeloNews.com.
Gran Fondos
Saint Francis Tulsa Tough offers two days of Gran Fondo rides with options ranging from 27 to 127 miles. The Gran Fondos roll through four counties of hills and scenery in Northeast Oklahoma. All routes feature superb aid stations and rolling support for riders of all ages, shapes, and abilities.
Saint Francis Tulsa Tough has received national attention from major cycling publications and continues to be a topic on cycling forums and in the media. The Gran Fondos are expected to grow to well over 5,000 riders as cycling enthusiasts discover the challenging, epic riding available in Oklahoma’s Green Country.
