Riders started June 9 in Hugo and will finish up in Sedan, Kansas Saturday. Henryetta’s portion of the ride will see the bikers nearing the end of day three pedaling from Warner to Okemah, a distance of 69 miles. When the ride is completed Saturday, the participants will have covered 432 miles in all.The annual event started in 1979 and has grown to nearly 1,000 riders. They will be covering between 50 to 75 miles each day.
While the riders provide pedal power to get from one camping site to the next, their gear is transported in a semi. In each overnight community, the riders can rest, clean up and are often provided with local entertainment. Henryetta was a host to the riders several years ago.
The route is marked in yellow along the highway surface. From Warner, the riders will be using US 266 to Arbeka Road then turning west on Holly Road and going through downtown Henryetta. The meet up with the old US 62 and follow it to Okemah where they will stay at the fairgrounds.
The more ambitious riders have an option of turning north just past Pharoah and riding a special “century” route that will cover some 50 more miles through part of Okfuskee County before coming back to the highway. After leaving Okemah, they head to Drumright then to Pawhuska before the final push to Kansas.
