Former Tulsa Tough Winner Talks About Experience Participating In Races

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is officially underway, with the first race starting Friday afternoon in the Blue Dome District. News On 6's Amy Slanchik was live on the Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch with one of the toughest around.

"The excitement's building. You can kinda feel it now and we're all getting ready for it,” Tulsa Tough volunteer Scott Rose said.

After hours of set up, and road closures, the anticipation has built around the Blue Dome District, the heart of the action for the first day of the event.

Tulsa Tough is described as the pinnacle cycling event of North America, and the energy throughout the weekend is described as electric. Daniel Holloway says whether you're a cyclist or a spectator, you can feel it.

"You don't feel it at your local fair, you don't feel it at concerts necessarily, or even other sporting events because they're not as intimate. Here, bike racing, you can be so close to it as a fan or spectator. You literally can hear the guys talking, you can hear the equipment, you can feel the wind when a group goes by so it's like nothing else,” Holloway said.

Holloway is one of the toughest guys here this weekend, with more than 20 national titles. He has also won Tulsa Tough three times.

But after retiring from cycling, he switched gears to announcer, for Tulsa Tough's live stream, and he will be back at it again this year.

"I raced with all the guys that are still racing,” he said. “And I know them well. I know what they're thinking. So it's fun to share all of those things with the people watching live to get even more insight."

For the weekend schedule and to watch the live stream, click here.