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Welcome to SWTR XVI at Lake Murray in Ardmore, Oklahoma!
Fellow “Tandemists” we invite you to join us for three days of cycling in picturesque South Central Oklahoma. The 2006 SWTR will be held at Lake Murray Lodge near Ardmore, which is halfway between Dallas and Oklahoma City. You will discover that Oklahoma really does have hills, lakes and trees as you cycle through the heartland on the scenic, low traffic, paved roads.
Lake Murray has a colorful history dating back to its construction in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). Where nearly 10,000 men labored with teams, wagons and hand tools to construct the 
6,000 acre body of water with a depth from 130 feet at the dam to an average of 25 feet on the North end. The state park surrounding the lake covers 21,000 acres and has no private ownership or development around the lake. The scenic highway that circles the lake winds through wooded, rolling hills for 25 miles.
The distinctive rock structure seen in many promotional photos of the lake is Tucker’s Tower. It now houses a nature center and museum of natural history. It was originally built in the 1930's as a retreat for then governor, Bill Murray. Friday’s ride will take you to the tower for ice cream and a tour of the facility if you like. There will be a cookout on the lodge patio for dinner and a time to visit with new and old friends.
Saturday’s routes will vary from 15 to 50 miles one way to the lunch location and similar distances will be offered for the different routes back to the lodge. After the ride, bike games will be organized near the lodge. Saturday evening will be filled with good food, dozens of pictures of your riding adventures, entertainment and fun door prizes.
The Southwest Tandem Rally (SWTR) has been held at Lake Murray in 1995 and 2001. If you came to Lake Murray previously we invite you to join us again. If this is your first time to come to SWTR at Lake Murray we extend a hearty Oklahoma welcome! Plan now to experience the tandem rally that just seems to get better every year.
Rick and Kay Watson are the rally on-sight organizers and welcome your questions or comments at cw7540@cableone.net or 580-223-8180, 3891 McClain Road, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401. The Watson’s have been involved in tandeming for nearly 20 years and organized the two previous SWTR events at Lake Murray, as well as a local one day ride, Red River Roadkill Rally, now in its 13th year.
Participants traveling by air and needing assistance with local transportation from either Dallas or Oklahoma City airports (both 100 miles from Ardmore, OK) are welcome to contact us for assistance.
There is no official pre or post tour, however, if you would like to ride for several more days in the general area of South Central Oklahoma we can provide area maps with paved secondary roads and suggest routes as well as lodging options.
