Clayton America

Text and pics; Marcel Slootheer

Clayton Oklahoma. Small town America. Home of Billy Bob, hunters, Jeepers, and once a year a group of mountain bikers from 'the city'. OEF people. Clayton, home of the AA hotel (stay on the boat). Clayton, where Tommy Evans lives. Tommy, the guy who rides 24 hour races on his rigid 89' Stumpjumper. Who rides the hills on his Fisher with thumb shifters and a 50t big ring, which he needs to get up to 44mph on those long jeep roads. Tommy, who invites us to come ride in his backyard, where we follow his red & green markers up the hills where beautiful vistas await, down into canyons, through creeks and forests. His backyard, where cool bikes really don't matter that much - because it's all about skills, and luck. It's about the rider. It's about the trails - mostly logging & Jeep type roads mixed with sections of technical singletrack. Long hike-a-bikes that seem to last forever before the singletrack finally points downhill. Where we forget about the pain (not really) and hold on the for the ride (on sections like the 'ButtCrack', 'SlobberKnocker' and 'SnotSlinger'...). Clayton, "the more technical than you can believe it".

This year we rode 16 miles on Saturday. It took us 6.5 hours... Sunday it snowed on us, but that only added to the epic experience...

See ya next time!

At Tommy's. His bike, his 50t big ring...

Our host, Tommy Evans.

The Saturday group pic, around 11 AM when the sun is out and the temperature around 30...

Chris Larson.

Long hike-a-bike sections up the hills to get to singletrack that points down.

Clifton, on a long climb.

One of many creek crossings. With a temperature close to freezing it was too cold to ride through them and stay warm.

Time for lunch. This is the kind of ride where you have to be self sufficient. Bring plenty of food, tools and spare bike parts.

On top of the world... 5 pics stitched together. Click here for a large version (303K).

Sunday morning. Snow flurries on the first climb. Chris Larson.

Regroup on top of the hill. Some are cold, some are tired, some are acting a little strange...

Tommy and Shane making it up the hill.

A sad sight. Logging sucks!

Paul Carter.

Just a scenic pic.

Larry Pickering crossing a deep creek... Last pic. See ya in Clayton America.