Getting Excited about Tulsa Tough!

[PonderInc]

If you've never been to a Tulsa Tough race, you have been missing out on one of the craziest, most exciting sporting events you will ever see.

In criterium racing, a huge pack of cyclists race multiple laps around a small course (for example, a figure-8 course in the Blue Dome district using the city streets) going about 30-40 MPH.  You can stand in one place and the pack will pass every minute or so (and you can follow the rest of the course on jumbo-tron TVs until the pack circles back to you).  The cyclists ride inches from one another, and when the pack passes, you can feel the "jet wash" as the air eddies behind them.  (It'll part your hair!)  Riding so close also means spectacular and terrifying crashes, which I think is part of the "Tough" definition of the sport.

Part of the fun is just being in the crowd.  Thousands of people will be lining the course, standing just a few feet away from the action.  There's also a street festival flavor, with tons of vendors, live music, racers from all over the world, etc. 

Very fun and exciting event.  If you've never been, you're missing out.

http://www.tulsatough.com/races/

[Conan71]

Hope to see everyone in the Blue Dome on Friday night.  That, by far is the best of the three racing venues from a spectator standpoint to be able to appreciate the speed these men and women are going.

Of course, nothing beats the classic Animal House party on Crybaby Hill on Sunday down in Riverview.  It's literally become one of the most legendary cycling venues in the United States almost overnight.

Hope to see everyone out there this year.

[carltonplace]

Hope to see everyone in the Blue Dome on Friday night.  That, by far is the best of the three racing venues from a spectator standpoint to be able to appreciate the speed these men and women are going.

Of course, nothing beats the classic Animal House party on Crybaby Hill on Sunday down in Riverview.  It's literally become one of the most legendary cycling venues in the United States almost overnight.

Hope to see everyone out there this year.

I'll see you on Crybaby Hill Conan!

[RecycleMichael]

I though Tulsa Tough was the name of the steak over at the Western Sizzler.

[Conan71]

I'll see you on Crybaby Hill Conan!

What no Blue Dome on Friday night?  Curious if Townsend and Mrs. Townsend will be down there this year, it's become sort of an annual meet up.

[Townsend]

What no Blue Dome on Friday night?  Curious if Townsend and Mrs. Townsend will be down there this year, it's become sort of an annual meet up.

I would like to, yes.  Let's see what Large Marge tells me I can do.

[Conan71]

I would like to, yes.  Let's see what Large Marge tells me I can do.

I wasn't sure how the heat might play with the Mrs. and the bebe.

[Townsend]

I wasn't sure how the heat might play with the Mrs. and the bebe.

Yeah, the warmth is not a love thing for her.

[Ed W]

I'm planning to be taking photos in the Blue Dome area for the Friday crits - but I'm scheduled for overtime on Saturday, meaning a 3AM wakeup call, so it will be a short evening.

[Conan71]

I'm hoping Tulsa Cyclist will shoot some photos of the later races in the Dome this year as well, he's got a great eye much like you do for cycling photos.  He "catted up" and is now a Cat 3 which means he gets to race on Friday in the Dome.  I'm thinking about ditching work early to go cheer him on.

[jacobi]

Crybaby hill is probably the collesdt6 thing that happens in Tulsa all year!  I'm gonna be so drunk...

[Hoss]

Crybaby hill is probably the collesdt6 thing that happens in Tulsa all year!  I'm gonna be so drunk...

That post makes it look like you started early...

[Townsend]

That post makes it look like you started early...

Problem?

[jacobi]

That post makes it look like you started early...

I wish.

Drunk in public what?

[Hoss]

I wish.

Drunk in public what?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUaSTSKFZc&t=2m35s