OK Freewheel Tour leads riders across Chickasaw Nation

This article appeared in the August 2016 edition of the Chickasaw Times

A Chickasaw elder and veteran has recently completed a unique bicycle tour through the area of the Five Civilized Tribes.

David Atkins participated in the OK FreeWheel Tribute to the Five Tribes during June. Mr. Atkins traveled from his home in Albuquerque, N.M., to join in the weeklong bicycle tour. The tour’s route passed though the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. The tour began June 19 in Madill, Okla., and finished June 25 in Caney, Kansas.

The tour is sponsored by the Tulsa Bicycle Club.

Mr. Atkins, 68, grew up in Stonewall, Okla. He is the youngest of his siblings and has seen the health issues his family has endured. In an effort to stay healthy, he has make cycling a benefit to overcome the odds of his family medical history. The first year he participated in the tour, he dedicated that ride to his nephew who died at 43 from heart disease.

“This is the 29th year that OK FreeWheel has hosted a cross-state bicycle ride,” Mr. Atkins said. “They choose different routes each year. East to west or south to north, every year it is a different course.”

This is Mr. Atkins’ third year to participate in OK Freewheel. Atkins has always been active in marathons. Before taking up cycling, he marathons runner. It was knee replacements in both knees that ended his hobby as a marathon runner, and began his interest in cycling.

After retiring, he was able to get more involved with cycling as a hobby and concentrate even more on his health. He is a member of the Chickasaw Cycling Club, Which is comprised of Chickasaw citizens, Chickasaw Nation employees and local community members.

“Health and fitness is highly important to me, especially with my family history. My family has a medical history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. My goal has always been to break the cycle,” said Mr. Atkins. “I think health is extremely important for our youth as well. Statistics are showing that a lot of our youth have poor health conditions. They are obese or not eating healthy. Later on in life, all of those habits, will take a toll on their body. If you start early you can prevent these diseases.”

In addition to cycling, Mr. Atkins joined the Chickasaw Warrior Society last year. It is important to him to represent veterans, health and the Chickasaw Nation while he rides these tours.

“I am happy our tribe wants us to seek opportunities for us to be active in physical activities,” Atkins said. “You are never too old to participate in the any sport or start something new.”

The Chickasaw Cycling Club 

The Chickasaw Cycling Club is open to the public and offers an outlet for locals to find riding buddies. The group focuses on road biking, with a bit of mountain biking on the side. The group meets weekly for bike rides and participates in yearly events, like the annual Pontotoc Pursuit.

The club also offers community service opportunities and plans to clean up the Ada bike trail, which stretches across town from Main Street to Stadium Drive near Ada High School.

The group meets the second Thursday of every month, usually at 5:30 p.m. in the Chickasaw Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi Ave., Ada, Oklahoma. Anyone interested in becoming a member need only attend a meeting and fill out an application. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, and if below 18 must be accompanied by an adult family member. The entry fee is $25 for individuals and $40 for families.

To join the Chickasaw Cycling Club, contact Johnna Walker at johnna.walker@chickasaw.net.