A little more than 90 minutes after the Sunday morning ride group left the start area near the West Bank Amphiteatre, Tulsa got hammered by a string of violent thunderstorms. The National Weather Service said the straight winds gusted at over 75 mph. Over half the 10x10 tents at the Tulsa Tough racing venue on Riverside were totally destroyed. A giant tree just across the street from our venue was blown clear out of the ground and fell away from the race course. Golf ball size hail pelted our riders who were out on intended missions of 50, 62, and 100 mile rides. Many came back with ugly contusions and lumps as well as damaged gear and even broken bikes. After hard rains on Saturday morning, Sunday's weather was a worst case scenario, short of tornadoes or more serious injuries. In the true spirit of Tulsa Tough, volunteers came together as soon as the most severe weather broke and began to pick up the extensive debris that littered our normally well-organized venue. By 1:00 we were able to resume the race schedule with 3 exciting races: Women Cat 1+2, Men Cat 1+2, Men Pros. Many of our morning riders and patrons returned to Riverside. The sun came out and we were all able to enjoy another 5 hours of breath-taking criterium racing. So Tulsa Tough took a hard punch but we re-grouped, rallied, and pulled it back together as best we could. Those who were there for the final hours had a great sense of resilience and recovery. The colors of the peloton of 50-plus strong riders, speeding by at 35mph, was all we needed to see to remind us that Tulsa Tough is beautiful - even spectacular and terrific. It is worth the effort, the risk, and the cost of making it happen again next year, and next and next and the next. From the event’s directors through to the rest stop and registration table volunteers, all show the same gritty determination and never-quit spirit that is required for endurance cycling. Let this ring loudly in your minds ears, in the tones of big Dave Towle calling a winner at the finish line, “ Tulsa Tough volunteers…… YOU - ARE - TULSA - TOUGH!!!!!!”

It was AWESOME! Tulsa Tough is a wonderfully fun and exciting event. And that is all due to the volunteers. I can't thank you all enough. I rode in the 100k ride on Saturday so I didn't get the hail but I got lots of rain! The volunteers were still out driving about checking on riders and they were still packed into the tents. Thank you for supporting the riders, even in crazy conditions!!! I can't wait until next year!