Team BikeBuddies is Sponsored by:

Mike Flenniken, LCI - Certified USA Cycling Coach

Talimena Drive Ride

2010 Second Annual

Bob "Just Touring" Freeman

Talimena Drive Ride

Photo by Bob Freeman

Routes & Maps

Vertical Profiles

Lodging / Camping

General Info & Bob's Tips

51 Mile Flat - Talihina Hwy 63 Out & Back (Download Map - opens in new window) This is a flat "out and back" ride with a total of 682 feet of elevation change from Talihina out toward Big Cedar and back to Talihina. The map is the same as the 59 mile map below but we will not be doing the hills up on the Talimena Drive. Talesa will probably lead this ride. You can cut the distance by turning around early at any point along Hwy 63.

59 Mile Hills - Talihina - Big Cedar Loop (Download Map opens in new window) This is a challenging 59 mile loop with 25 miles of hills with grades of up to 17 to 18 percent and a total of 4,995 feet of elevation gain most of which is in the first 25 miles.

83 Mile Extended Hills - Talihina - Big Cedar - Honobia "Triple" (Download Map opens in new window)

52 Mile Flat "Out and Back" ~ 1019' Gain

59 Mile Hills ~ 4,995' Gain

     83 Mile Extended Hills ~ 8,247' Gain

Kiamichi Inn - Talihina, OK -  (918) 567-2243: 

1 Bed (1-2 people) $43.90 tax included.

2 Beds (2-3 people) $54.88 tax included.

Check-in 12 p.m.  Check-out 11 a.m.

Talimena State Park - Talihina, OK - 6 Miles North of Talihina Hwy 271 North - (918) 567-2052 :

RV's and campers are on a first come first served basis.

Camping, including tables, a group shelter, full RV hookups with electric/water, tent campsites, playground, hiking trails, and comfort station with showers.

Cost Modern (sewer) $21, Non-Modern $18, Camping $10. If you come after 5 p.m. pick your space and pay them the next day.

Wister State Park - Wister, OK - (918) 655-7212:

2 bedroom cabins $89.98/ night (15% discount if your old [62] like me. Tax incl.

1 bedroom $68.74 lake view or $58.17 Parkview. Same discount, Tax incl.

They have a kitchen. I believe the sofa also folds out as a bed one night deposit when reservation is made. May cancel up to 5 days prior. Check-in no earlier than 3 pm. If you are later than 5 pm, have a reservation, and advise them that you will not be there before 5, then they will leave your key across the street in an envelope with your name on it.

RV's and campers are on a first come first served basis. Cost Modern (sewer) $21, Non-

Modern $18, Camping $10. If you come after 5 pm pick your space and pay them the next

day. Shower facilities are available.

All riders should have and identify there own bag of energy food and fluids which can be placed in the sag vehicle for your energy replacement requirements.

Minimum gearing should be 39X28 or a triple.

Weather in Oklahoma is unpredictable at best. It may be cool in the a.m. and rain is always a factor so bring what you would require given various scenarios.

The plan is to be there for two nights Friday and Saturday. My wife has graciously stated that she would be available to sag for riders SATURDAY. However, due to the fact that the road is a HILLY two lane with other traffic I will suggest she NOT be travelling the road but rather be at the pull-outs. Therefore it will be your responsibility to make it to the pull-out or communicate to someone where you are if you cannot make it so a vehicle can come to you. Cell phone service may or may not be available.

PLEASE ASSESS YOUR ABILITIES AND CHOOSE A ROUTE THAT YOU CAN DEFINITELY HANDLE AND THAT WILL NOT CAUSE AN UN-DUE BURDEN ON THE OVERALL GROUP.

We can discuss a Sunday morning ride on Saturday. We would need to discuss SAG support and if we do ride (a flatter recovery ride) we would probably check out of our accommodations first.

After the ride we meet at the Hateful Hussy (no not one of the riders tent) a restaurant and plans for the remainder of the day / night (party, party). We will ALL meet there if for no other reason than to tell war stories and ensure everyone is accounted for. If you arrive at the restaurant before everyone then perhaps you could provide SAG support.

YOU ARE RIDING THIS RIDE AS AN INDIVIDUAL OF YOUR OWN FREE CHOICE. NO ONE CAN OR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHOICE TO RIDE AND WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, IN ANY WAY. BICYCLING IS A DANGEROUS SPORT WITH INHERENT DANGERS WHICH YOU ACCEPT.