Feature Story of the Foolz Dozen Bike Race

Fun, Family and Foolery

The Fools Dozen Mountain Bike Race in Medicine Park isn’t your average race. In fact, it isn’t just one race – it’s an entire weekend of music, activities, contests and of course mountain bike races for all levels of skill. Bikers come from all over the state to compete in these contests, but really, they come to celebrate and visit new and old friends who share the same passion.

Friday – Fools Dozen Live Music and Parade

The Foolz Dozen Parade wrapping up at the Park Tavern

The entire weekend was kicked off by the Fools Dozen Parade, which went around the entire town of Medicine Park with all of the participants dressed in SOME sort of costume. Kids, parents, couples, friends, ANYONE was welcome to join in on the fun (with or without a bike). The parade was the first of many events that participants had to compete in to receive the “Key” award at the end of the weekend. Even if the patrons didn’t win the 1st through 3rd place medals in the costume contest, they still had a shot to win a key on Sunday evening. The parade wrapped up at the Park Tavern with awards and a concert from an out-of-town band.

Saturday – Fools Dozen Contests

Winners of Sub-races of the Fools Dozen Festival

Have you ever held an axe at the very end of the handle and seen how long you can keep your arm straight? Well, at the Fools Dozen festival, there’s a contest for that. Contests that are odd, different and out of the ordinary that lasted the entire day Saturday. Of course, there were also different races based on different skill levels and distance. Food and games are all fun during the day, then everyone came back together to celebrate the winners of each contest at the awards ceremony.

Sunday – The Fools Dozen Big Race Up Iron Lunger

The Fools Dozen Kids Cup
The Iron Lunger – Part of the Novice Track of the Fools Dozen Race

The last and final day of the festival was the array of major races that everyone competes in, all ages. The morning kicked off with the kids cup, which happened at the old parking area for other festivals in Medicine Park. The first and youngest group went first and had helpers stationed all over the track to help them stay on course. Immediately after all of the races were completed, the Kids Kup held their awards ceremony.

While the kids were receiving their awards, the other races were just getting started. The beginners and novice course was at least 10 miles, passing through the Iron Lunger – a steep, rocky incline that leads to an extremely narrow entrance between a large, long-living cactus and a pile of sharp rocks. Once the riders made their way up and around, they came back through the Iron Lunger and finished their race. The intermediates and professional riders rode an even longer course completely separate from everyone else.

If you’d like to be part of the Fools Dozen Festival in the coming years, contact the club of the Wichitas for more information. If you’d like to learn more about Medicine Park and their festivals, watch a livestream of one of their most popular ones yet: Medicine Park Parkstomp. Keep up with us on our social media (Facebook and Instagram) and always check back for more updates! Contact Dani (dannie@oklahomalife.tv)if you’d like for us to feature your business, event or people!

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