Cycle 66 Powered by OU Health kicked off its 2022 planning season and opened online registration on Saturday in Edmond by celebrating with 26 local cyclists who have agreed to serve as Cycle 66 Ride Ambassadors.
Cycle 66 Ride Ambassadors, all passionate and experienced local cyclists, receive free registration, a custom Cycle 66 jersey and other merchandise in exchange for promoting the event to fellow cyclists throughout the summer.
“Our awesome Ambassadors will help amplify the Cycle 66 message between now and our second annual ride on Sunday, November 6th,” said Jennifer Seaton, Cycle 66 board chair. “Ambassadors will tell the Cycle 66 story: We aim to promote healthy, active lifestyles in Edmond, reimagine the tourism potential of Route 66 for a new generation and give back to local charities.”
The second annual Cycle 66, an urban and rural bicycling tour and festival along historic Route 66, begins and ends in downtown Edmond near Edmond Railyard. Riders can register now online at https://www.bikereg.com/cycle-66#. Early bird registration is $35 and rises to $40 on September 1st. Kids 12 and under are $10.
In 2021, its inaugural year, the event featured three different routes and enjoyed 550 registrations, which shattered expectations.
“This year, Cycle 66 is excited to raise the bar even higher,” said Jason Duncan, Cycle 66 ride director. “We are adding a 1-mile Kids’ Route to our existing 10-, 33- and 66-mile routes, and we’re partnering with OKC Velo - Bike Lab Club to add a criterium event in downtown Edmond during the finish line festival, which we call Celebration 66.”
A criterium, or crit, is a bicycle race of a specified number of laps on a closed course over public roads closed to normal traffic. Crit cyclists often reach speeds more than 25 mph as they race through the circuit, skillfully avoiding other riders.
OKC Velo – Bike Lab Club, a non-profit, is led by Tony Steward who is also serving as a Cycle 66 Ride Ambassador.
“We were so impressed with the first year of Cycle 66 and the support it received from the City of Edmond,” Steward said. “As a cycling non-profit we are thrilled to jump in and create a fun racing experience for local amateur athletes. This will bring the excitement of bicycle racing straight into downtown Edmond as a wonderful addition to Celebration 66.”
“The crit is super exciting to watch. It will give the community yet another reason to join us at the finish line and hang out in our beautiful downtown Edmond district,” Seaton said.
Visit cycle66ok.com and follow #cycle66 and @cycle66OK on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
The Routes
Cycle 66 offers a ride for everyone, from amateurs to competitors. All four routes will be fully supported with plentiful support and gear, relief wagons, signage, rest stops, first aid stations and critical traffic control.
● 1-Mile Kids’ Route: Kids of all ages are welcome to join Cycle 66 on its inaugural 1-mile Kids’ Route. Training wheels, tricycles and strollers are welcome! We encourage kids to decorate their rides-of-choice and come ready for fun.
● 10-Mile Route: This leisurely group ride, best for families and recreational riders, will be led and trailed by experienced riders who will keep the group together and on the right path. The route showcases downtown Edmond, notable public art, the University of Central Oklahoma campus, and the community’s best parks and bike paths.
● 33-Mile Intermediate Route: This moderate ride is best for intermediate and recreational riders who like a challenge. It begins in Edmond then dips south to the State Capitol. Riders will enjoy the “Party at the Turn” powered by OU Health before cycling back to downtown Edmond.
● 66-Mile Advanced Route: This adventurous ride is for advanced and intermediate riders looking to push the distance. It travels through five communities including Edmond, Oklahoma City, Jones, Luther and Arcadia, and features the nostalgia and thrill of the Mother Road up close and personal. The route will be in reverse from last year, and will take advantage of beautiful Katy Trail near I-44 and NE Grand Ave.
Charitable Beneficiaries
Cycle 66 is governed by Cycle 66, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in partnership with the City of Edmond, the State of Oklahoma, Visit Edmond and title sponsor OU Health, and all Route 66 stakeholders.
A portion of event proceeds will benefit Autumn Life Behavioral Health Center, a dedicated geriatric psychiatry inpatient program at OU Health Edmond Medical Center that addresses the unique needs of mature adults ages 55 and up. Other proceeds will benefit the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and preserving Route 66 statewide.
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