RHYS MARTIN -- PRESENTATION ANNOUNCED SOON!
BIO -- The keynote speaker is Rhys Martin, author and photographer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. His love of travel was awakened in 2009 when he sold all of his possessions and left the country. For ten months, he lived out of a backpack and explored southeast Asia and Europe. When he returned home, it was with fresh eyes for his home state. As he drove the back roads of Oklahoma, Rhys discovered the significance of historic Route 66 to the greater American story. He has traveled all 2,448 miles of the Mother Road and continues to seek out the quiet Main Streets of the Midwest.
Rhys's travel writing and photography has been featured in numerous publications, including Tulsa People Magazine, This Land Press, Route 66 Magazine, Nimrod Journal, The Oklahoman and Tulsa World. He also wrote the book Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, which features the stories of nearly 50 iconic eating establishments from the city's past. Rhys is the President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and serves on multiple boards and commissions related to the Mother Road and its upcoming Centennial in 2026. He loves to connect with people and share his experiences.
TRACY & PETER FLUCKE -- "Looking at Historic Route 66 Through Bicycle and Pedestrian Eyes"
BIO: Tracy and Peter Flucke (pronounced FLU-key) are president and vice president of WE BIKE, etc., LLC, a Green Bay, Wisconsin, consulting firm that specializes in the areas of engineering, education, enforcement, and encouragement for walking, bicycling, and healthy communities.
The Fluckes are enthusiastic bicyclists, runners, and outdoorsmen. They bring passion to their work in helping communities and citizens improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and access by looking at the world through bicyclist and pedestrian eyes. Both are experienced and well-respected presenters.
Tracy and Peter have completed three unsupported cross-country bicycle trips on their tandem: Northern Tier – 2014 (4,362 miles); Mississippi River – 2015 (3,052 miles); Historic Route 66 – 2016 (2,603 miles). Tracy and Peter’s first book, Coast to Coast on a Tandem, chronicles their Northern Tier trip.
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION: National Bicycle and Pedestrian experts Peter and Tracy Flucke of WE BIKE etc. will share experiences bicycling the country and historic Route 66 on a bicycle built for two.
