TOUR OF THE WICHITAS, TOM CHAPMAN MEMORIAL RIDE Bicycle enthusiasts and kids of all ages mark your calendars for the fourth annual Tour of the Wichitas bike ride and Bike Festival on June 23, 2012. Participants in the tour will begin their ride at 8:00 AM in the morning from the Museum of the Great Plains, located at 6th and Ferris, with registration beginning at 7:00 AM. The Tour of the Wichitas offers a beautiful ride through Ft. Sill and the Wichita Mountains. The Tour is hosting 5 different routes: Historical ride: 11.5 miles Tower Two Road Ride: 18.5 miles Letra Lake Road Ride: 33 miles Medicine Park Lake Road Ride: 43.5 miles Meers Route: 50 Miles The rest stops along the way will have snacks and water for the riders. One of last year's riders Bob Jamison said one of the best parts of the ride were the rest stops. “They had great cookies at one," said Jamison. Riders can choose to make their way back to Lawton through Medicine Park, or on a breathtaking downhill loop around Lake Lawtonka. Registration for the Tour of the Wichitas can be one online for $20.00 at www.bikereg.com; a printable version can be found at www.tourofthewichitas.com, or riders can register at the event for $25.00. Costs include a t-shirt (while supplies last) and gift packets that will be picked up at the sign-in on race day. The proceeds will go to the Friends of Trail organization to help fund a series of walking, Biking, running and outdoor activity trails around the Lawton area. The bicycle festival is free to the public. This is a spectacular ride that is unique in Oklahoma. The terrain is varied and beautiful. There is an opportunity to see a part of Oklahoma’s history in the historic ride at the Visitor’s Center and at Ft. Sill. The director of the tour, Lon Parks, says, “I know of no other ride in any area that offers entertainment for kids as well as bike rides of all sorts.” The Bike Festival will be held again at the Museum of the Great Plains, and will start right after the Tour of the Wichitas takes off. The Bike Festival will host the Free Helmet Giveaway (while supply lasts), Best Decorated Bike Contest, Sedway Rides, Inflatables and Free Hotdogs! Plus the Re/Max Fire Truck will be there and available for pictures with the kids. The Tour of the Wichitas is hosted by the Friends of the Trail, Ft. Sill Moral Welfare & Recreation, Lawton Family YMCA, and the Museum of the Great Plains. More information for these events can be requested by contacting Lon Parks at (580)353-7496.