Summer doesn’t truly begin until Tulsa Tough weekend: equal parts race, block party, and citywide family reunion, where upwards of 50,000 Tulsans come out to sweat, cheer, and spill beer over the barricades as professional cyclists whip by in a blur.
Tulsa Tough started as a ragtag cycling race in a downtown that wasn’t on anyone’s radar, says Executive Director Malcolm McCollam. “People thought there were tumbleweeds blowing through the streets of downtown,” he recalls. “There was a desire to do something that created a different image of Tulsa to the outside world to combat that image that we were nothing but flyover country.” Now Tulsa Tough has evolved into an internationally recognized cycling festival that draws athletes from all over the United States to T-Town. On the first weekend of every June, those streets vibrate with energy as cyclists and spectators flood the asphalt.
Tulsa Tough has come a long way since its founding in 2005, boasting new categories, new races, and an unquantifiable amount of glitter and beer. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced Tough to cancel races in 2020, this year’s event marks its 19th anniversary, not its 20th. That milestone will happen next year, coinciding with the centennial of Route 66.
Still, there’s plenty that’s new for 2025. Here’s a rundown of where to watch each day, what’s been added, and what to know before you go. And of course, if you really plan on celebrating, don’t forget to #TakeMondayOff.
Where and When to Watch all Weekend
Friday Evening | Blue Dome | Races from 3:55pm-9:30pm
Think of Friday as family and corporate night of Tulsa Tough. You’ll see friends you haven’t seen since last year’s races, and have fun bopping through the block parties. Post up at any of the spots below for prime time:
- Turn 8 at 3rd and Greenwood. On one side you’ve got the Tito’s Tent in its traditional location, and on the other, a public hospitality area hosted by New Story Brewing, benefiting The Tulsa Tough Divas Women’s Cycling Group
- The new beer gardens at 3rd and Elgin
- Public VIP tent at Santa Fe Square
Saturday | Arts District | 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday typically brings brutal temps. Races start at 7:30am, but if you aren’t itching to cheer all afternoon, wait for the sun to get lower later in the day and come out around 5pm. Great spots to watch:
- The new Margarita Garden at En Fuego on Guthrie Green
- Upper Main Street in front of Soundpony
- If watching with kiddos, the Brainard Family Festival at Guthrie Green opens at 2pm, with kids’ races, T-shirt coloring, games, and a St. Francis Bear Clinic
- Need more cowbell? Stick around after sunset for a ‘90s throwback and see Smash Mouth at Big Ride down the street in the field north of Cain’s Ballroom
Sunday | Riverparks | 7:00am-6:00pm
“Sunday has a [dual] personality,” McCollam explains, alluding to the back-breaking ascent up Cry Baby Hill, as well as the festive mob of block partiers that surrounds it. “If Mardi Gras and the Tour De France had a love child, that’s CBH.” This year’s CBH theme is “The Righteous Babystones,” with all accompanying activities (costumes, music, etc.). Races will be going on all day, but for the best people watching, join for primetime from 3-5pm at:
- Riverview neighborhood tent near Riverside Drive and lower CBH
- Vast Bank Stage on upper Cry Baby Hill
- Riverparks at 11th and Riverside, where the vibe is serene, family-friendly, and relaxing (if watching with kiddos, head here)
What’s New in 2025?
- A new “John Zink Flare” at the finish line. TT execs are being tight-lipped about details but say it’s a flashy “show” not to be missed.
- A new Hand Cycling category. Tulsa Tough has added a para athlete category, or “cat” to Friday and Saturday’s races. Some of these cyclists are Paralympic-level athletes. “The speed is incredible,” McCollam says, “and the bikes are really low to the ground. It’s pretty exciting and we wanted to be able to feature them, so we put them in a premiere spot right before the professional women at the end of each day, with big crowds to honor their participation.”
- Two new Friday Night Beer Gardens open to the public at 3rd and Elgin. One will be run by McNellie’s on the northeast corner, serving Howdy Burger, hot dogs, and beer available for purchase. Admission is free and open to the public. The other will be hosted by Pearl Beach on the southeast corner, featuring live music, food, and drinks, with paid admission.
- The Sponsor VIP area (historically housed at 3rd and Elgin) has been relocated inside Santa Fe Square courtyard. Located on 2nd Street across from Fleet Feet, this spot allows for prime and private race viewing.
- Public Friday Night VIP tickets are now available for $500 each. You know all those closed off tents that require a wristband to access? If you don’t feel like asking around for an extra, or trying to sneak your way in under the cover of race chaos, you too can enjoy the exclusive views—for the low price of $500. Roxtec VIP tickets include catering from the McNellies Group, and free “elevated” drinks all night.
- In addition to wristbanded bars and ticketed watch parties, public viewing is still free all weekend long. The best way to take in Tulsa Tough is by roaming free. Wander from corner to corner, or zip around on your bike to see the race from all angles.
Know Before You Go: The Official Rules Of Tulsa Tough
- Mind the gap. Keep your hands and feet outside the barricades. With lightning-fast speeds, sticking your appendages onto the course is a great way to lose them and put cyclists at risk.
- No glass anywhere, ever! Drinks must be canned, bottled, or in a plastic cup.
- Leave your dog at home. It’s hot, it’s loud, and it’s just not fair for the pups.
- No kids allowed on Cry Baby Hill. Seriously. No one under 18, no coolers, no glass, and no dogs. Don’t bring your kids to Cry Baby Hill.
- Use the free shuttle to avoid driving into the mayhem of downtown. Folks can park on the TCC lots at 10th and Boston, and ride the shuttle up to the 3rd and Elgin. If you’re planning on imbibing, you can call a rideshare service for drop off and pickup at TCC.
- Where to park your bike: While there’s no official bike parking, Tulsa Tough is best traversed on two wheels. Bring your lock and find a spot downtown near the action.
- Question: “Who are we?” Answer: “Soundpony!”
Tulsa Tough Race Distances, Demystified
Don’t let the Italian verbiage throw you. Amateur races are generally shorter, while professional peloton races can stretch over a hundred miles. Here’s a quick breakdown of each distance:
Piccolo: A 37-mile ride through pretty Tulsa countryside, held on Saturday and Sunday. The Piccolos are user-friendly and open to all skill levels, but word on the street is that Sunday's hills are a bit less brutal. If you’re a novice rider, opt for this one.
Medio: The perfect “in-betweener” race, these are long, approximately 62-mile social group rides, held on Saturday and Sunday. Open to all skill levels, but plan to ride for about 6-8 hours.
Gran Fondo: Tulsa Tough calls it the “head honcho” race, better known as the top tier races of the weekend. These rides are 103.1 miles long, snaking through Osage County and back, meant for true cycling athletes, and generally require six to seven hours to finish.
Ace Challenge: A 103-mile Pro Peloton race experience that must be completed in under five hours. The Ace is made up of serious riders and licensed racers who aren’t up for doing crits, but still want to race.
Crits: Crits are circular, dangerous, high-stakes races made for thrill-seekers and held all weekend long. Racers ride a circular course for about an hour, attempting not only to finish first, but to avoid a crash. Think of this as NASCAR on bikes.
The Double Tough challenge: The Double Tough consists of the 103-mile Gran Fondo on Saturday, plus the 68-mile medio on Sunday. Riders have to accomplish both races before course closure on Sunday, and surprisingly, around 50 riders a year manage to do so.
Classico Piccolo and Medio: Sunday’s Classico category is returning for 2025 as a celebration of vintage and classic bikes (made before 1993). Perhaps more bike parade than race, it’s a must-see for real bike nerds. If you’ve got a classic bike that’s just begging to be shown off, take it out for either the 37- or 62-mile ride, and enjoy the fun perks afterward.
Think You’re Tough Enough? Sign Up!
Considering a race? Hopefully you’ve done some training and can comfortably ride about 20-30 miles on your bike. Even if you haven’t, if you’ve got a decent road bike and enough physical fitness to run a 10k, odds are you can jump in and finish a Piccolo. Whether you ride to compete or just complete, here’s a few tips to help you go the distance:
- Do some basic prep. Have a good meal and a good night’s rest the night before the race.
- The Piccolo is a bit of “luxe” race, in that there are stocked rest stops along the way, so take advantage! Stop and stretch your legs as often as you need to.
- Expect lots of heat, hills, and wind. It is summer in Oklahoma!
- Considering walking the hills—especially if you’re just riding for fun, there’s no shame in the walking game.
- Enjoy the scenery. The routes are really beautiful on the group rides, with Saturday taking riders up north, and Sunday routes heading out south and west. Don’t forget to savor the views.
- Open to all ages. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, but cyclists of all ages are invited to join the ride.
