Stage 11 Report: Ride 'em Cowboy

Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Start: Muskogee, OK
Finish: Coffeyville, KS
Total Bike Mileage: 67.6 mi
Cumulative Bike Mileage: 1002.9

Awoke to a sunny morning, usual packing, breakfast and bike prep. With no bike shop in Muskogee we drove to Tahlequah, OK, a pleasant Main Street shopping area adjacent to this college town. The shop, Paceline Cyclery worked on Mike's rear wheel issues; we thought it was fixed while we had a smoothie and relaxed at a nice coffee shop place named Drip. Started riding west out of Tahlequah along Rt51 west for about 17mi through Cherokee Indian land when, past Hulbert, when once again, a grinding noise from Mike's rear wheel precluded us from advancing beyond the entrance to Sequoyah State Park. Called Api and she retrieved us for the next series of hoarse "yellow blazing" (driving, rather than riding) to get to the next destination. Our re-route would require a more knowledgeable bike shop which was fortunately available in Broken Arrow at Spokes Cyclery; owner-Zack was diagnosed Mike's rear wheel hub problems, along with a few other issues with his rear deraillor. The right part he needed was at the second Spokes shop in Tulsa, OK so, once again, we headed by van to Tulsa where Zack met us. Mike ended up trading in his rear wheel for a new more durable alternative, got everything else fixed and adjusted, finally! It was about 4:30pm by then, most of the day's daylight riding hours waning. We drove to a safe spot outside of Tulsa to put in at the entrance to Will Rodgers State Park in Oolagah, OK (his birthplace ranch home). Quiet sleepy road ended at the park entrance, gate was closed by that hour. We saddled up for the evening ride on a beautiful evening. Clear skies and pleasant breeze. We were going to be sundown chasers once again to make it to the OK-KS state line and our destination at Coffeyville, KS that night.

Boots and hats (I mean helmets) on, the Lone Ranger and Tonto headed north along a beautiful stretch of 4110 Rd heading north, then joined Hwy 169 north for the 40mi gallop to the border. The land opened into cattle-laden fields to the horizon.

"Six fingers Tonto to sundown over hills yonder," I said as we crossed the 7:00pm hour. Our horses (er, cycles) were galloping at full throttle, rippling loin muscles, the sun dipping and warming our left cheeks as our manes headed due north now, mile after mile, pushing through the uphills and screaming down the rollers, tapping all necessary horsepower from our Ultegra cranks.

"Four fingers, Tonto."
"Yes, Kimosabee." Onward."

"Three fingers, Tonto!"
"You can take those fingers and shove them up your ?#!*%" he then replied.
"We will make it, no worries mate!" I laughed and enjoyed the sunset ride. We met Api at that juncture and lassoed our night lights to our foreheads. Chomped on some last energy feed and then darted again forward, two studs on steeds.

"One finger of sun remains, Tonto" I declared. And then, out of the corner of my left eye there it was. Gleaming in the last sun's rays. A beautiful hawk on the side of the road in repose. I had to circle back to it.

Its body still warm but as if frozen from the time of our native ancestors on this northern Oklahoma land, sad to see such a kindred spirit in death. He should be soaring above us, guiding us the last way north. I clutched a handful of the most beautiful feathers from one of its unflapping wings and separated it from this hawk spirit. Hawk blood on my gloved hands and hawk feathers tucked in my jersey pocket I was now soaring with renewed energy, a vitality of oneness with my natural state of being. I was a hawk with wings as he lifted my spirits, a believer that all creatures, great and small, are interconnected on this Mother Earth.

Nightfall. Dark road illuminated only by our forehead torches. We hawked into new territory, welcome to Kansas, the highest sign declared. Hitched our cycles inside the van and short wagon ride to the Best Western Bricktown Lodge in Coffeyville, KS.

Bikeoo

Travel machine restored

Cowboys thunder onward path

Hawk's spirit soars anew

Indexes

Weather: (10)
Perfect riding day, evening ride cool air was refreshing

Terrain: (9)
Rolling hills or flat

Scenic: (8)
Nicer as we headed north towards Kansas, road opening into wide vistas

Wildlife and Roadkill:
W-turtles, hawks, frogs
R-large box turtles, armadillo, opossum, frogs, rabbits, songbirds, raccoon, and of course, HAWK
Endurance: (10)
Feel strong, mind and body and spirit!

Bike Report:
D-all good
M-all good, finally!

Medical Report:
D-thenar muscle soreness, bug bites
M-mild soreness

Still Having Fun: (10+)
Ride 'em Cowboy north bound!

Photos

Wild Horses!

Tahlequah, OK (1st bike shop for Mike's fixing)

Squirrel inside bike shop (I think stuffed, wasn't moving at all)

Life on the road-drying out bike shorts/bibs

Cool "Drip" Cafe in Tahlequah, OK (pina colada smoothie!)

Mike trading in his bike for this cool Mongoose!

Chillin' at cafe

DrB phone home

Cherokee Indian country on way to Sequoyah State Park

Fence posts

Water Park in Hulbert, OK

Turtle failed to cross road safely, Fort Gibson Lake along Rt51, lake on each side of road

Staying clear of the road

Bike shop #2 for the day in Broken Arrow, OK

Andolini's Pizza in Broken Arrow, OK (delicious)

Bike shop #3 in Tulsa, OK (Spokes branch in Tulsa). Zack finally fixed Mike's rear wheel (actually replaced it). All good finally! Ready to get back on the road.