Coyote Trail to Silvercity

Tulsa, OK, US

Resumen de ruta

Bixby Bicycles Road Crew

In it for the long haul...

138 km
1.121 m

Silver City is a ghost town situated between Tulsa and Stillwater, Oklahoma. It was once a farming and ranching community. All that remains of the town is one convenience store, a church, 3 homes, 6 people, and a machine shop.

Detalles de ruta

On your way to Silver City you will ride a local favorite route called Coyote Trail. This has great rollers and generally light traffic. Enjoy the views as you travel past Pretty Water Lake and Lake Sahoma. This is an 85 mile route with approximately 3,676 feet of elevation that is self supported. So be sure of your fitness level before you embark on the ride.

Silver City was a prospering farming and ranching community located half way between Tulsa and Stillwater Oklahoma. The rich black soil and rolling hay meadows made it an ideal place to raise horses and cattle. It was said that the best bootleg whiskey ever tasted came from a clear spring on the edge of Rocky Canyon two miles east of Silver City.

Bounded by the Cimarron River on the nort and west, it had ample water available year round and several apple and peach orchards were operated there for many years. It is said that the Doolin' Boys were once holed up overnight by the Law in a small cave high up the bluff of the rocky east bank of the Cimarron River just south of the present day bridge on New Highway 51. The next morning they were gone, only access being a cedar tree hung up on a rock in the river below.

In the late 1950's the State moved Highway 51 one mile north of Silver City and built the new Cimarron River bridge. This spelled doom for the quiet rural community as it slowly sinks away into the ever shifting sands of time

Route

  • There is easy parking at Tulsa Riverparks 96th St and Riverside or across the bridge at the Riverwalk Jenks.
  • The start of this route is at Tulsa Riverparks. You'll only be on the trail system for approximately 1/2 mile as you cross the pedestrian bridge into Jenks.
  • Jenks, OK is a bedroom community to Tulsa and the leadout through here is a great place to get fully warmed-up for the ride. Many routes headed west will come through this area.
  • The first 7 miles is mostly flat with easy grades.
  • When you get to 111th Street you will turn west and be heading to your first climb. It's a local favorite and Strava segment called Hilton Hill. It's just over 1/2 mile (.6) with the steepest section at 9.2%. If you're riding with a group, just after the stop sign at the top of the hill is an easy regroup spot.
  • From Hilton Hill there are a few easy-moderate climbs as you make your way past Pretty Water Lake towards another local favorite, Coyote Trail.
  • Coyote Trail has light traffic, rollers, and great scenery. There is only one stop sign on this route (see below). Otherwise, 10 miles of bliss.
  • At the end of Coyote Trail is your first available stop called Coyote Corner. It will be on your left, with a steep driveway on both sides. Watch for oncoming turning traffic from Hwy 51 as you turn in.
  • Once you get to Mannford, OK check your hydration and nutrition levels. There won't be another available stop until mile 51 at Happy Corner.
  • When you get to Sapulpa, OK there is a convenience store on your right. When you leave here cross the street to get on old Hwy 66. This is a section of the famous route 66.

Intersections to be aware of

There are a three intersections that need extra caution.

  • Tracie Ln and Hwy 97. Hwy 97 is a divided highway so you can cross it safely a half at a time.
  • Coyote Trail and W. 41st Street. The way these roads intersect as a 'Y' is what makes it dangerous. Be aware of vehicle speeds the are east bound on from Coyote Trail to W. 41st St.
  • S 256th St and Hwy 51. Once again you will be crossing a divided highway. The Posted speed limit in this area is 65mph. What makes this dangerous is the limited sight distance of traffic approaching from the east.

Notes

  • A great ride no matter when you journey this route. But it is best during the spring and fall.
  • There are no stops available until Coyote Corner at mile 31.2. Be sure to have plenty of hydration and nutrition with you.
  • After Coyote Corner make sure you have enough hydration and nutrition. The next stop is at mile 51.3 Happy Corner.. If you need to stop there is a convenience store located just outside of Mannford, OK and only a block distance from Hwy 51.
  • You will ride on Hwy 51 for approximately 9 miles before you make the turn towards Silver City. There is plenty of shoulder available.
  • Silver City has no facilites available. As the description says, it's a ghost town. But there are opportunities for pictures.
  • When you leave Happy Corner you will be on HWY 33 for 16 miles. There is plenty of shoulder for you to ride on.
  • At mile 72.5 you begin a short but steep climb before coming to Hwy 66 again.
  • A fun decent is Hwy 166. There is a stop sign at the bottom.
  • As you continue to make your way back into Jenks, another decent is 91st street. But the joy is quickly stripped away by another stop sign directly at the bottom.
  • Be sure to rehydrate and start your nutrition at Los Cabos. With an outdoor patio it is a great local spot for live music, beer, and good mexican food. Go ahead, you've earned it!

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