By JOHN CLANTON Multimedia Producer on Jun 10, 2013, at 1:59 PM Updated on 6/10 at 11:06 AM
A large crowd watch a race pass by from the top of Crybaby Hill during the last day of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough races in Tulsa on Sunday, June 9, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
When the "centurions" blow their whistles, you've got to get behind the orange line, a few seconds later, a volkswagen clears the way for riders who speed past flag-waving, costumed, water-soaked, shirtless cycling fans.
This happens every two minutes or so.
The whole thing was started years ago, with a few guys from Soundpony, a local bar, and has grown into a massive street party that draws cycling fans and party-enthusiasts alike.
Josh Gifford, a co-owner of Soundpony, waves a doll at riders and cheers loudly as they speed past. He claims to have invented the name "Cry Baby Hill" during one of those smaller parties a few years ago.
It was described on Sunday afternoon as "the best street party in Tulsa," or "cross between Mardi-Gras and Halloween."
Follow Tulsa World Photo on Twitter.
PHOTO & VIDEO: View photography, videos and visual journalism from the Tulsa World staff.
Josh Gifford and Andy Wheeler cheer for cyclists as they top Crybaby Hill during the last day of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough races in Tulsa on Sunday, June 9, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Led by a car and motorcycle to help clear the road, a cyclist makes his way up Cry Baby Hill during the last day of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough races in Tulsa on Sunday, June 9, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Edward Lebowski helps keep fans off the street as racers approach the top of Crybaby Hill during the last day of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough races in Tulsa on Sunday, June 9, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
