Redbud Valley and The Blue Whale

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Tulsa, OK, US

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Route Overview

Bixby Bicycles Road Crew

In it for the long haul...

84 mi.

2,555 ft.

This ride can start from any location along Tulsa's Riverpark's Trail system. I've marked three areas along the trail with plenty of parking. Where you start will determine the overall distance of the ride.

This ride is great no matter what time of year you ride it, but it is best in the spring when the redbuds are in bloom.

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Route Details

# Redbud Valley and The Blue Whale

A great ride no matter what time of year! If you want to see the redbuds in bloom then spring is your time to ride this. There are other versions of this ride that are shorter, but this is an 85 mile route that is self supported. So be sure of your fitness level before you embark on the ride.

Almost exactly in the middle of the ride (@point[mile 49](d,79093.79)) is the famous @photo[Blue Whale](3183070).

Built in the early 1970s as an anniversary gift, The Blue Whale and its pond became a favored swimming hole for both locals and travelers along Route 66 alike. The whale has been featured in the comic strip Zippy the Pinhead, An Idiot Abroad, The Great Food Truck Race, and American Pickers.

Originally, the pond surrounding the massive Blue Whale was spring fed and intended only for family use. However, as many locals began to come to enjoy its waters, tons of sand was brought in, picnic tables built, and life guards hired all so it could be opened it to the public.

# Route

* Park in any lot along Tulsa Riverparks Trail system. Here are three areas @point[Turkey Mountain](d,7231.43), @point[96th Street and Riverside](d,4.93), and @point[South Elwood](d,11821.21) that will keep you on the route.
* Head north on the Rivertrail to Southwest Blvd. You'll leave the bike path here and continue North through downtown Tulsa.
* There is only 2,535ft of elevation gain on this ride with only a couple of decieving climbs. The first is on @slice[N. Union](d,23322.58,23813.7) and the other is on the way out of @slice[Redbud Valley](d,89099.58,90145.34).
* A fun decent is on @slice[N. Osage before the Gilcrease Hwy](d,25425.51,25875.94). BE CAREFUL, THERE IS A STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL CROSSING THE HIGHWAY!
* @photo[Have a coke and smile](3183072)
* From the Phillips 66 in Catoosa @slice[you will ride 1.5 miles on Hwy 66](d,76553.52,79126.3) to get to the Blue Whale. No worries though, there is plenty of shoulder to ride on.
* After the stop light at @point[Apache and Hwy 66](d,78611.37) the speed increases for vehicles so be careful when you are crossing the highway to turn left to @point[The Blue Whale](d,78902.23).
* On your way back in stop at either @poi[The Blue Rose](5213060) or @poi[Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville](5213063). No Matter what your choice is, you've earned a tall cold one after this ride.

# Notes

* There are no stops available until @poi[Catoosa](5213057) at mile 48. Be sure to have plenty of hydration and nutrition with you.
* If you need to stop before Catoosa there is an opportunity in Sperry, OK although it is not part of the route it's an easy one-mile deviation. At @point[E 91st Street North and North Cincinatti](d,42174.11) turn left (You'll be headed north) for 1 mile to Sperry. There are a couple of options for drinks, restrooms, and food if you need it. There is a @photo[cafe on main](3183071) street, a Dollar General on N. Cincinatti, and a@photo[ water fountain](3183075) at the intersection of the Osage Prairie Trail and N. Cincinatti.
* You can pick up the route by following N Cincinatti back, or jump on the Osage Prairie Trail for one mile. If you follow the trail you pick the route up at @point[E. 86th Street North](d,43501.34).
* Traffic heading north out of Tulsa will be light. You may encounter some moderate traffic between miles 38-40 while you're near Tulsa Int'l Airport. Don't worry, you're several miles from the gates. Then again, around the Catoosa area, then once you're closer to Tulsa.

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Redbud Valley and The Blue Whale

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