Local Cyclist Looks To Conquer 'Cry Baby Hill' After Suffering Heart Attack

<p>One of the cyclists competing in Tulsa Tough last year almost lost his life after having a heart attack on Cry Baby Hill. Now, he's making a comeback.</p>

Monday, June 6th 2016, 10:47 pm

By: News On 6


Teams from all over the world are about to find out if they’re Tulsa Tough.

"We're all pretty excited. We're a bit tired at the moment, but I think, come Friday night, we're all pretty amped up and ready to go and have a red hot crack at Tulsa Tough," said Australian pro cyclist, Scott Law.

Subaru New South Wales Institute of Sport Cycling Team touched down Monday after a 24-hour trip from Australia. The professional cycling team packed all their gear, including bicycles.

The group plans to use the next couple of days getting over their jet lag before this weekend's three-day cycling competition.

One of the cyclists competing in Tulsa Tough last year almost lost his life after having a heart attack on Cry Baby Hill. Now, he's making a comeback.

The three-day weekend of bicycle racing starts in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District, and Catoosa’s Michael Jacobsen is ready to conquer Cry Baby Hill and finish the race.

Cry Baby Hill is the Mardi Gras block party held for the cycling community, and Sunday's race event during Tulsa Tough draws competitors from around the world.

Last year, one of the racers didn't finish after suffering a heart attack.

"I'll be the guy that passed out here, died on this hill, but I came back," Jacobsen said.

First responders, including Tulsa Police Officer Don Holloway, came to his rescue.

6/14/2015 Related Story: Police Officer Revives Collapsed Tulsa Tough Cyclist

Jacobsen underwent bypass surgery and started walking days after his surgery. A month later, he jumped back on his bike, knowing he needed to return to Tulsa Tough.

"I need to conquer this fear that happened a year ago, and the only way to do that is come back and redo the whole weekend again from start to finish," he said.

With his doctor’s blessing, Jacobsen plans on riding 110 miles Saturday and Cry Baby Hill on Sunday.

"Every year I train hard just for this one weekend,” Jacobsen said.

His teammates, like Steve Nave, know how hard Jacobsen is training to get back in the saddle.

“It's good to see him back," Nave said. “I ride with him three or four days a week. He's strong. He's definitely ready."

Jacobsen said, "All I can say is thanks for everyone that helped me to get to this point. The doctors, the nurses, the cycling community in general who know me and know what had happened to me are just grateful that I'm doing it."

The first races start in the Blue Dome District on Friday night. The race heads to Brady on Saturday and Cry Baby Hill on Sunday.

Jacobsen encourages everyone to come out early to support local cyclists.

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