Paper trail

Allow us to editorialize your next pedal excursion

1. River Parks Trail system starts near downtown, ends near Broken Arrow, and is paved the whole way. 

2. Accessible from trailheads at 31st and Riverside, Maple Park, and Centennial Park, Midland Valley Trail runs along a disused rail corridor once owned by Midland Railroad and winds behind Oaklawn Cemetery, which is perfect for a spooky night ride. From Midland, you can hook up with KATY Trail (easy, eight miles) and then Osage Trail (easy, 14.5 miles).

3. Get your levels up at Doubleshot Coffee, 1730 S. Boston Ave., with a breakfast sandwich and rocket fuel-strength cold brew, or whatever else your body is craving. Nearby, Spoke House Bicycle Shop, 25 E. 21st St., offers other cycling snacks. (We recommend Clif Shot Bloks energy chews in margarita flavor.)

4. Covered in murals year-round, the Gateway Building, 823 E. 1st St.—just north of the East Village—is eye-candy extraordinaire. Pop inside Post for a sticker or patch to add to your gear.

5. Enjoy a session cocktail (or several) at Hodges Bend, 823 E. 3rd St. You’ve earned it. 

6. Change a tube and a life at the same time at Tulsa Hub, 601 W. 3rd St., the non-profit that helps people in poverty with reliable two-wheeled transportation.  

7. Take a break at Soundpony, 409 N. Main St., where the Hamm’s is cold and the music is free.

8. Whiz down downtown’s many parking garage ramps. The Vault parking garage, 620 S. Cincinnati Ave., is fun and has a good view. Be careful. 

9. The wide streets and beautiful old homes in Brady Heights make it a great neighborhood to cruise. Then, see Tulsa’s oldest house and feed the ducks at the pond in Owen Park. 

10. Something to look forward to: A Gathering Place for Tulsa, 2800 S. Boston Ave., will be a must-stop spot for cyclists, eventually. Check out the renderings of the wetland gardens, The Lodge, Mist Mountain, and more at agatheringplacefortulsa.com. 

11. Finally, see what all the fuss is about for yourself and climb Cry Baby Hill, 735–749 W. 13th St.