Tougher than ever

Your guide to Saint Francis Tulsa Tough 2019

Our baby’s growing up. Now in its 14th year, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough has become one of the most anticipated cycling events in the country and one of Tulsans’ favorite times of year.

Including some planned changes (yes, Cry Baby Hill will have barricades; yes, this is the end of an era; yes, this is a good thing) organizers are scrambling to reroute several races where parts of courses are unsafe after last month’s disastrous weather. As of publication, criterium races all weekend are unchanged, new courses for the Gran Fondos have been announced, and the Townie Ride course is still TBD, but it will start and finish from the usual spot at 15th Street and Galveston Avenue.

An exciting new addition to this year’s races is Red Bull Last Stand, which originated in San Antonio and will now follow The Tulsa Arts District Criterium Pro races on Saturday night. Riders on fixed-gear bikes will race in an “eliminator” format; the rider who crosses the finish line last in each lap is eliminated until only one remains.

Here, you’ll find the weekend’s full schedule of races and more. Have fun and stay hydrated!

Friday, June 7

McNellie’s Group Blue Dome Criterium

Third Street & Elgin Avenue

4 p.m. | Last Stand Qualifying
6:15 p.m. | Men’s Cat III
7 p.m. | Men’s Cat I/II
7:55 p.m. | Women’s Pro I/II

Fireworks begin with five laps to go during Men’s Pro I race. Women’s Pro I/II awards ceremony begins after fireworks, followed by Men’s Pro I awards ceremony.

Friday evening’s races through Blue Dome are like a Tulsa Tough apéritif (apéri-Tough?). The cooler temps and relatively-smaller crowds make it the best day for families to speculate.

Saturday, June 9

Gran Fondos

John Hope Franklin Boulevard & Elgin Avenue

7 a.m. | Fondo Rider Staging

7:30 a.m. | ACE Challenge Peloton start

7:40 a.m. | Gran, Medio, and Piccolo Fondo riders start

George Kaiser Family Foundation Tulsa Arts District Criterium

Brady Street & Boston Avenue

9:30 a.m. | Men’s Masters B (Cat III, IV)

10:15 a.m. | Men’s Cat V 35+

10:50 a.m. | Men’s Cat V Under 35

11:25 a.m. | Women’s Cat IV/V

Noon | Women’s Cat III, Women’s Masters

12:45 p.m. | Men’s Cat IV

1:30 p.m. | Juniors

2:05 p.m. | Kids (9 and under)

2:25 p.m. | Men’s Masters A (Cat I, II, III)

3:30 p.m. | Men’s Cat III

4:35 p.m. | Men’s Cat I, III

5:50 p.m. | Women’s Pro I/II

6:55 p.m. | Men’s Pro I

8:30 p.m. | Red Bull Last Stand Women’s Fixie

9:15 p.m. | Red Bull Last Stand Men’s Fixie​

Awards ceremonies for Women’s Pro I/II and Men’s Pro I will begin at conclusion of Men’s races.

With a course that goes by Soundpony, the headquarters of Tulsa Tough’s official/unofficial home team, Saturday’s races feel like the weekend’s homecoming game. And as the longest day of races (made even longer with the addition of Red Bull Last Stand) all-day spectating is a marathon. Don’t forget to hydrate!

Sunday, June 9

Gran Fondo

See tulsatough.com for updates.

7 a.m. | Fondo Rider Staging

7:30 a.m. | All riders start

Townie Ride

Starts and finishes at 15th Street and Galveston Avenue. See tulsatough.com for updates.

A free, all-ages 5.8-mile ride. This is not a race—you can go your own pace, so it’s perfect for kids and families.

River Parks Criterium

See tulsatough.com for updates.

8 a.m. | Men’s Masters B (Cat III, IV)

8:35 a.m. | Men’s Cat V 35+

9:10 a.m. | Men’s Cat V Under 35

9:45 a.m. | Women’s Cat IV/V

10:20 a.m. | Women’s Cat III, Women’s Masters

11 a.m. | Men’s Cat IV

11:45 a.m. | Juniors

12:20 p.m. | Men’s Master’s A (Cat I, II, III)

1:10 p.m. | Kids (Ages 9 and under)

1:25 p.m. | Men’s Cat III

2:25 p.m. | Men’s Cat I/II

3:30 p.m. | Women’s Pro I/II

4:35 p.m. | Men’s Pro I

Awards ceremonies for Women’s Pro I/II and Men’s Pro I will begin at conclusion of Men’s races.

13 Commandments ... For Dating My Teenage Cry Baby

• Thou shalt adhere to Cry Baby Hill’s oh-so-awkward official theme: Puberty.
• Thou shalt also consider Soundpony’s annual alternate theme: Guy Baby Hill (with apologies and thanks to Signor Fieri.)
• Referees are faculty chaperones. Obey them or get detention.
• Thou must be at least 21 years of age. If you’re actually going through puberty, the Hill is not ready for you.
• No glass, dogs, or kids. These are bicycle races, not some kind of canine and kid-run recycling plant.
• Barricades are our friends and make this shindig sustainable. Don’t be a doofus.
• It might be overcast, but that’s no reason not to hydrate! Drink lots of water and your growing body will thank you.
• Going through changes can be tough. Locate medical services if things get too real.
• You’re old enough to find the proper facilities to relieve yourself. Don’t use someone’s lawn.
• Your hormones may be going haywire, but that’s no excuse for acting like a creep! Don’t touch any riders or anyone else without their consent or you will be removed by chaperones.
• Your Hill is my Hill. Pick up after yourself.
• Cry Baby Hill is a fun-loving institution. Don’t ruin it for yourself and others by being a douche.
• Who are we? Today we are all Soundpony.