TenaCity
The Oklahoma TenaCity is an all-ages, family fun cycling festival scheduled for June 3-5. The three-day event features the Oklahoma City Pro-Am Classic, the H&8th Night Market, a Fondo city tour and the “Y Without Walls,” a collaborative effort between the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.
“2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Oklahoma City Pro-Am Classic,” says Chad Hodges, team manager for DNA Racing Cycling Team. “The OKC Pro-Am is a criterium-style bicycle race that includes closed-off short courses where the participants do multiple laps at speeds averaging 25 to 30 miles per hour, making it a very spectator-friendly event.”
The race will take place in Midtown on June 3, Film Row on June 4 and at Automobile Alley on June 5. Criterium cyclists have the opportunity to win over $45,000 in cash.
“To celebrate our fifth anniversary, the OKC Pro-Am has earned a spot on the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, the national calendar, which will draw professional cyclists from around the nation,” Hodges says. “It’s a true opportunity for Oklahoma to cheer on the top cyclists in the U.S.”
The H&8th Night Market street festival will return as an annual event from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 3 between NW 8th Street and NW 10th Street along Hudson Avenue and on NW 9th Street between Hudson and Walker avenues in Oklahoma City’s Midtown District.
Along the market route, approximately 30,000 spectators will have a front row seat to the cycling action, Hodges says.
For amateur cyclists who want to participate without competing in the races, the OKC Pro-Am Fondo offers three route options for riders of all ages and ability levels.
“We are presenting a 12-mile district tour, a 30-mile mid-distance ride and a 58-mile trek touring the countryside as well as OKC neighborhoods,” Hodges says.
All three tours begin at 8 a.m. June 4 and start and finish at the center of Film Row, Saturday’s racing venue.
“These gran fondo-type rides are suitable for cyclists of all abilities and perfect for the whole family to ride together,” Hodges says.
“Y Without Walls,” a mobile YMCA, will offer family activities, prize giveaways and safety lessons June 5 at the corner of NW 10th Street and Broadway Avenue.
“If someone would prefer not to ride but still wants to be involved in the event, we’d love to have their support, and an event like this doesn’t happen without a strong volunteer staff,” says Hodges.
Most volunteers work as corner marshals or crossing guards to help keep racers and spectators safe, Hodges says. There is also the opportunity to offer host housing to out-of-state athletes who will be in Oklahoma City for the weekend. People looking to volunteer or offer host housing can sign up at okcpac.com
“Professional cycling teams often look to host housing to ease the financial burden of continuous travel throughout the season,” Hodges says. “This is a great opportunity to get to know the athletes, get more familiar with the sport and really see what type of team and athlete preparation goes into a weekend of racing at the professional level.”
For more information, visit oktenacity.com.
