Tulsa Tough Underway

Friday, June 1st 2007, 1:52 pm

By: News On 6

When the going gets tough, the tough get pedaling. The 2nd Annual Tulsa Tough bike race is off and rolling Friday night. Unfortunately, the rain started almost the same time the race did, but they don't call it Tulsa Tough for nothing.

Some couldn't wait for the race to start spinning. So some were warming up, others were signing in, and some were trying it out. Seventeen-year-old Joseph Schmalz from Kansas City is making his first visit to Tulsa.

"My teammates came last year, and they said it was a fun race, so I decided to come down and try it out," said Schmalz.

Organizers were gratified to discover that the inaugural Tulsa Tough last year drew people from two dozen different states and three different countries. And word is getting around. For such a new race, Scott Delaune from Phoenix says it's already making a name for itself.

"Huge race, big crowds, great city venues," said Delaune. "There's beer. There's action. There's all of that. It kind of makes us feel like we're pros."

One of the keys, they say, is the urban setting

"That's how I think it's supposed to be,â€ said Delaune. â€œThat's not always what happens because it's hard to get venues like this. There's a lot of production that goes on."

"I actually talked to the promoter a few weeks ago, and he said they re-routed this course tonight to go by every single bar in downtown actually, so there's always a great crowd because of that," said bike racer Shannon Koch.

"Something about riding in the downtown that's kinda fun," said Schmalz.

"It's loud. You hear all the noises. You hear the gears changing that much louder, the amplification, the energy,â€ said bike racer Josh Christensen. â€œIt's incredible."

At speeds of 30 mph and up, the jam-packed racers provide plenty of excitement and not just for the spectators.

"As soon as they say go, I mean there's eight corners on this course, and if there's 100 guys fighting for eight corners, it's quite a bit of an adrenaline rush," said Delaune.

So far, the races are still going on amid the rain and the lightning. But there have been a few wipeouts, as you can imagine.

The races continue Saturday in the Brady District downtown and the River Parks on Sunday.

For more information on Tulsa Tough, click here.

Watch the video: Tulsa Tough Hits The Streets