Sahoma Lake was an official rest stop for the Saturday portion of the 17th annual Tulsa Tough Bicycle Race with food, beverage and music provided for the riders.
Inclement weather forced the Grand Fondo (Italian for big ride) race to be canceled and starting times for the piccolo (38.4 mile race) and the medio (66.2 mile race) to be delayed by approximately an hour-and-a-half. However, according to one race official who was present, eighty percent of registered riders started the two remaining courses.
The Tulsa Oktoberfest organization set up a trailer next to the pavilion by the playground, where bratwurst and beer were served. Water and snacks were available at the pavilion, and a number of bicycle racks had been placed near the pavilion for riders to safely park their bikes. Many of the volunteers were dressed in traditional German costumes for the occasion. And of course, what Oktoberfest would be complete without German Polka music, which could be heard throughout the event.
Two backdrops were available for riders and volunteers to have their photos taken for posterity or for posting on social media. One of the volunteers stated that normally there are three panels set up, but they only used two in order to have Lake Sahoma visible in the pictures.
The Sapulpa Herald spoke to Ashley Webb, a member of the Tulsa Oktoberfest Inc. Board. Webb is also the Tulsa Oktoberfest Beiermeister. Webb discussed the routine of the rest stop: “They will park their bikes for a little bit, have a beverage, a snack, get refreshed and go on and race. Some of them hit it on the way back, depending on the race.”
The Beiermeister had nothing but good things to say about the rest stop venue.
“I think it has been voted the most popular rest stop by the riders. This has been a wonderful opportunity for Tulsa Oktoberfest to partner with Tulsa Tough in a meaningful way, and also to showcase the beauty of Lake Sahoma, Creek County, and this little hidden gem that belongs to the City of Sapulpa.” Webb went on to say,” This is beautiful.”
Speaking of the Tulsa Oktoberfest, Webb said, “We are now ranked in the top twelve in the World for Oktoberfests. An article came out last year that said: ‘If you can’t make it to the real Oktoberfest in Munich, here are a dozen other places around the World. And we were number nine, there were only four places in the United States. We felt pretty proud of that. And the work we have done since 1979 to get us where we are.”
By 11 a.m., the rain had stopped and a plethora of race participants started showing up for a little R And R. Judging by the number of smiling faces among the riders, it appears the event was a smashing success.
