Cycle 66 Presented by Mercy, slated for Sunday, November 3, today announced its urban/rural bicycling tour has added a fifth mid-distance route and covers more miles on historic Route 66 than ever before.

“The routes are brand new this year, offering an amazing opportunity to explore more miles of iconic Route 66, along with some roads many cyclists may have never ridden before,” said Cycle 66 Ride Director Jason Duncan.

Duncan said all the route details and maps, including for the 10-, 18-, 33-, 66- and a 1-mile Kids’ Route, can be found at www.Cycle66ok.com.

“There is quite a gap between the 10-mile and the 33-mile routes.  This year, after reviewing the initial options, we realized that we could direct a lot of people to the Round Barn in Arcadia and back at a distance that would sit perfectly between the 10 and 33,” Duncan said.

“It just made too much sense to not do it!  Now, we have a chance for riders wanting to keep their mileage lower to see the sites of Route 66 while not having to pedal the full 33-mile distance. Arcadia is the perfect turn, and I hope some of our 10-mile riders will challenge themselves with a few extra, or that those with limited time can still join at the 18-mile distance.”

Photo provided

In addition to the non-timed distance tours, Cycle 66 also offers fast-paced criterium races, called the Crit @ Cycle 66, in downtown Edmond, from 10am to 4pm.

“We’re thrilled to offer a USA Cycling-sanctioned Oklahoma Age-Based Criterium State Championship this year,” said Tony Steward, who owns BikeLab OKC and serves as the Cycle 66 Race Director. “Whether you’re a cyclist who wants to participate, or you’ve never ridden a bike, the Crit @ Cycle 66 offers an exciting opportunity to see some of this region’s best cyclists pedal their way to victory. It’s fast, furious competition, and we invite the public to come cheer on the cyclists while they enjoy brunch or beer in our beautiful downtown.”

As cyclists cross the shared finish line for both the tour and the race, Cycle 66 will host 20+ vendors along Broadway Avenue, beginning at 2^nd Street and flowing north.

“Cycle 66 has something for everyone. With so many vendors and many of our downtown businesses offering extended hours and special offerings, the public can enjoy shopping, food and even free massages as they cheer-on cyclists crossing the finish line,” said Jennifer Thornton, Visit Edmond Tourism Director and Cycle 66 board member.

“More importantly, Cycle 66 gives 100 percent of its rider registration fees to charity.” Thornton said.

For 2024, Cycle 66 will donate registration proceeds to Oklahoma Route 66 Association and Bike Club OKC, an after-school club for boys and girls that teaches bike safety and maintenance, important life skills and that leads bike rides around local neighborhoods.

“Bike Club OKC is proud and grateful for the partnership with Cycle 66!  We are eager for the opportunity to expand our life-changing program to Edmond Public Schools,” said Alyssa Lutz, Bike Club OKC executive director.

“The best part about Bike Club OKC is that it’s free for all participants, and every student who completes the program takes home a brand new bike, helmet, pump and the confidence to continue being a problem solver and a leader,” Lutz said.

General registration for Cycle 66 is $45 and includes a free T-shirt. The 1-mile kids’ ride and kids crit are free for kids ages 10 and under.

Last year Edmond welcomed 696 riders from 12 states. “If you haven’t registered yet, grab a friend or two, register today and join us for an unforgettable ride on November 3rd—no matter what distance you choose (10, 18, 33, or 66 miles)! And don’t forget to stick around for the Crit at Cycle 66 when we return to Downtown Edmond,” Duncan said.

Parking:

Cycle 66 participants and spectators can enjoy free public parking throughout downtown Edmond. A convenient parking map is available at www.cycle66ok.com. Entry to downtown is encouraged from the west and north.

Street Closures:

Similar to last year’s event, several streets in and around Downtown Edmond will be closed from 6pm Saturday, November 2^nd, to 6pm, Sunday, November 3^rd. See www.cycle66ok.com for more details.