<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159398_5953.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 309px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159398_5953.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />It's here: <a href="http://www.tulsatough.com/">The fourth annual Tulsa Tough Ride &amp; Race</a>. <div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 403px;" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159443_2879.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /><div>Quite a sight to behold and, from what I understand, even more fun to pedal through, Tulsa Tough Ride &amp; Race is a set of competitive races and tour rides that bring athletes from the world over here to T-Town. The race routes showcase the best of what our fine city has to offer - the historic Brady and Blue Dome Districts, Riverside and more.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The event, designed for new and experienced riders alike and to inspire athleticism and Tulsa pride, gets started tonight at 6:20 with the Men's Category III race and rolls through to the end of the weekend. The event is thanks to <a href="http://www.sfh-childrenshospital.com/">the Children's Hospital at Saint Francis</a> (which will help Tulsa Tough give 225 new bikes to kids this year), <a href="http://www.tulsasports.org/">Tulsa Sports Commission</a> and <a href="http://www.tulsawheelmen.com/">Tulsa Wheelmen</a>. </div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 403px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v645/34/70/1510818541/n1510818541_159422_370.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div><div><br /></div><div>Riders and racers can participate in a number of events and activities, from professional-level races, recreation and tour rides to kids and youth activities (check out the Tough Kids and Townie ride at 1 p.m., 13th and Riverside) to live music and vendors during the three-day cycling event.</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, Tulsa Tough is more than a cycling event; it's a weekend festival. </div><div><br /></div><div>The event attracts thousands to Tulsa, filling the sidewalks, cafes, bars and art galleries to the brim with the spandex-free cycle happy along the race tracks. Last year's event brought on an estimated 15,000, or about six times to capacity of the music hall at <a href="http://www.tulsapac.com/">Tulsa Performing Arts Center</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, that's a lot of biking (and Tulsa) enthusiasts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before you head out to watch or ride in the races this weekend, be sure <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=de1ae4e372c31121811e3f8e63d2e73b&amp;gid=49042670982&amp;ref=search">to add Tulsa Tough as a friend on Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/tulsa_tough">follow it on Twitter</a>. While you're online, check out <a href="http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A27166">Dwayne Davis's story on Tulsa Tough, "The Fast and the Curious"</a> and <a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2007/06/cycling-pizza-thumbs-up-tulsa.html">my 2007 post on Tulsa Tough (with a side of Savastanos Pizza in Bixby)</a>. And, don't forget that <a href="http://www.tulsamillionmiles.com/">Tulsa Tough is a qualifying activity in the Mayor's Million Miles program</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>See y'all at the races.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Photos from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49042670982&amp;ref=ts">Tulsa Tough Facebook group</a>. </span></div></div></div></div>