• 29 mile loop
• City sreets, Highway shoulders, Asphalt county roads
• Rolling hills
• Light traffic

Description

For years, many Red Dirt Pedalers have met for breakfast at the Perkins Family Restaurant at Hall of Fame Avenue and Main Street in Stillwater early Saturday morning. Here, Bill Burke would hold court, harass the watresses, and fuel up for the ride to follow.

The formal start of the ride is Strickland Park just south of the restaurant. Most ride their bicycles to the start, but some drive and ride. There is plenty of free parking at the park.

Head west on Hall of Fame Avenue and turn south on Perkins Road. Traffic is not too bad early on Saturday mornings, but be careful. Past Sixth Street (Highway 51) near 14th Street there is a convenience store if anyone has forgotten to fill their water bottles.

Continue south on Perkins Road (Highway 177). The highway becomes two lane with shoulders just past 32nd Street.

If anyone cannot make it to Perkins, there is a convenience store near Lost Creek Road and the highway. This is about seven miles from the start of the ride.

There is an AMPRIDE convenience store at the corner of Highway 33 and 177. This has become a regular stop on winter club rides. There are several tables along the front windows in the warm sunshine.

Turn right at Highway 33 and make a quick left on the asphalt county road. Be sure to stop and look at the emu (a big ugly bird) in the fenced yard on your left. Like the sign says, do not bother the birds, just look at them.

After admiring the birds, keep riding south for two miles. Turn east on Knipe Avenue, and ride by the Perkins cemetary. Go two blocks north on W 1st Street to the Steer Inn (now a Mexican restaurant). This used to be the club's stop for a snack and more entertainment courtesy of Bill Burke. The Perkins stop may be at Prairie's Edge or at Jalopy's. Bill will let you know at the start of the ride.

Afterwards, go south two blocks to Knipe and then ride east, crossing Highway 177. Turn north on Timberline Drive, then east on Kirk Street. In about one and a half miles, turn north on Fairgrounds Road.

Fairgrounds Road to Stillwater is double chip and seal asphalt, has plenty of rolling hills, and has light car traffic. Be sure to stop at the stop sign at Mehan Road. Cross traffic does not stop and weeds may block your sight.

Cross Highway 51 very carefully. Cross traffic is fast and heavy at times. Continue on Fairgrounds Road and turn west on McElroy Avenue.

There is a shopping center (Pioneer Square) just before the intersection of McElroy and Perkins Road. Turn into the alley behind the shopping center and ride to Hall of Fame Avenue. Watch out for the speed bumps. This will bypass a few tricky turns at some busy intersections. Head west on Hall of Fame back to Strickland Park.