Tulsa Tough Hitting The Streets

Wednesday, May 30th 2007, 10:23 am

By: News On 6

When the going gets tough, the tough get lucky. Tulsa Tough is a cycling race that will meander through downtown Tulsa this weekend. They were also giving away 300 bicycles to kids, but those bikes were stolen in Dallas. But late Wednesday, Dallas Police recovered most of the bicycles, and they're on their way here. The News on 6â€™s Steve Berg reports they went from tough luck to good luck on those bicycles, but that's not the only reason why they're feeling lucky.

Pedal Power will be pumping through Tulsa again this weekend, as they present the second Tulsa Tough Bike Race.

"The main difference you'll probably see in the races is that they're just gonna be even bigger and better, more racers, more festivities," said one of the founders of Tulsa Tough Malcolm McCollam.

Tulsa Tough wants to promote a healthy lifestyle for Tulsa, not just physical health. McCollam says these can be wheels of fortune for business and tourism.

"I think last year the merchants all along the route discovered what a fantastic economic boon this could be to the area,â€ said McCollam. â€œI know for example, Lola's that we're standing outside of in the Brady District, had a great day last year."

"It was wonderful,â€ said Lolaâ€™s owner Lola Palazzo. â€œIt brought a lot of people down to the neighborhood, and we're hoping for the same thing this year."

Palazzo is celebrating three years at her restaurant in the Brady District and is hoping to see more business move in.

"We'd love to see a boutique come to our neighborhood, some shoes, clothing, household, that kind of thing,â€ said Palazzo. "We see new people every day down here, so word's getting out."

Tulsa Tough actually features three separate races. Friday is the first and starts in the Blue Dome District at 2nd and Frankfort. On Saturday, they move to the Brady District at Brady and Boston, and then on Sunday, they finish up at the Riverparks near Houston Avenue.

In the Brady District, it won't be as tough going, thanks to some timely street paving.

"Some of the streets that were slated for repair anyway, they were able to readjust their crews a little bit and help us out and make sure for a safety factor that the cyclists have good streets to ride on," said McCollam. â€œThese tires these bicyclists ride on are pretty skinny. They're only about as wide as your finger."

"The city has done a nice job with the streets. And I think it will be a nice weekend if the weather will cooperate," said Palazzo.

On a side note, they'll be putting together the kids' bikes Wednesday night. The giveaway will happen, as scheduled, on 10 a.m. Saturday.

For more information about the event, click on www.tulsatough.com.

Watch the video: Tulsa Tough Riding Back Into Town