5 Reasons to Try the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough Gran Fondo
First, for all those that don’t know Gran Fondo is an Italian term for a single day cycling event. Experienced to new riders can participate on a supported ride in a very much festive atmosphere. Here are five great reasons you should register for Saint Francis Tulsa Tough’s Gran Fondo.
1. Tulsa is in fact a cool place to visit
If you’re not from here you’re probably thinking Tulsa, OK is all about cowboys and Indians..maybe Garth Brooks and if we’re lucky you’ve conjured an image of Woody Guthrie but the following images of Tulsa’s downtown are going to blow your mind.
Hodges Bend on 3rd in the Blue Dome
McNellie’s Pub…a favorite for burgers and beer
Blue Dome Mural
The Blue Dome, Tulsa
This is what we call the Blue Dome District and it’s where the first night of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough festivities begin. You don’t want to miss this night because last year they somehow managed to have fireworks at the end of the Pro/1 Men’s Race! The fireworks will be back this year thanks to the neighboring Tulsa Drillers Baseball Team. Baseball, cycling and fireworks..food and drink? In one spot? In the same night?! God bless America.
Photo by Cycling Illustrated:
http://cyclingillustrated.com/tulsa-tough-blue-dome-district-round-2-by-danny/
The Blue Dome is home to a bike shop, a running store, a bowling alley, a retro video arcade, a cool printing press and numerous good places to eat and drink. It’s fun to hang out down there after the races and revel in what feels very much like a street party a la Mardi Gras.
2. Tulsa has hilly roads and scenic countryside to ride
Saturday is day one of the Saint Francis Gran Fondo and it’s your first day to get your miles in and take in the surrounding OK scenery. If you’re picturing wide open spaces you’ll be in for a shock. Tulsa surrounding areas have believe it or not hills…lots of them so make sure you’re ready to climb.
Riding Gran Fondo style in Saint Francis Tulsa Tough
3. Saint Francis Tulsa Tough Gran Fondo has amazing SAG support and food stops!
The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough Gran Fondo is known for its awesome support throughout the ride so don’t worry if you have a flat or if you need a break and something to eat. The food stops have all the right things to get your blood sugar back up and back on the bike.
Paul Gray-
“Many thanks to Brad Huff for changing my flat tire on the Sunday ride…that was pretty darn fast!”
Curtis Payne ·
“I participated in the sunday granfondo piccolo, had a flat just after entering the time zone. Had great support, and a good laugh when the support team recognized me as the person who told them I had not had a flat since getting the bike the year before, so he gave me a spare tube, I asked if he was trying to jinx me? I will be back next year and hope to improve on my 68th place finish. Met some very nice people.”
Richard Davis ·
“I did the two 100 Mile + rides and had unbelievable support the whole time. Great job by the Tulsa Tough volunteers, OHP, & TPD! Awesome job Tulsa Tough for an extremely well run event.”
4. You earn your right to join in the festivities Saturday & Sunday
Put another way, you’ve put in your ride for the day and now it’s time to party. The Saturday festivities and races are in the Brady District. The Brady district in the last year alone has added 6 or 7 new bars and restaurants! It’s a very up and coming part of downtown Tulsa that sports red-bricked buildings, red-brick roads and Tulsa icons like the Cain’s Ballroom, The Tavern on Brady and the Soudpony Bar (THE cycling bar of the weekend by the way…you’ll know it by all the people wearing spandex pouring out of the place).
Soundpony Bar during Tulsa Tough, photo via Stefan Rothe
5. Experience Cry Baby Hill
There are no words to describe the experience for what now has its own cult following including a dedicated Facebook page, Twitter address and costumes…Cry Baby Hill. You just have to experience it for yourself. Wear a costume if you want, but forget what you think you know…because unless you’ve been there you don’t know. The closest we can get to show you is this:
Tulsa Tough: Cry Baby Hill (2012) from Keith Walberg on Vimeo.
We’re kicking things off big this year by offering $1000 to the person who refers the most new Gran Fondo participants in the month of March. Go to the registration page and make sure they put your name in the referral box during the registration process.
$1000 Gran Fondo Challenge
If you’ve got a bucket list lined up for Gran Fondos around the world, add this to it! You will not be sorry. But you don’t have to take our word for it….
“I’ve been racing at the top level since 1986 and I’m the director of two well known cycling films, ( www.thehardroadmovie.com & www.prothemovie.com). The point is I’ve been to pretty much every major event in this country and many in other countries and Tulsa Tough is as good as it gets!
Keep up the good work and thank you.”
Jamie Paolinetti
Monster Media Racing
Writer/Director – *RACE DAY – *The Series
There are no comments... yet.