Hotter n' Hell Hundred

[scoami]

Anybody here ever ride the Hotter n' Hell Hundred? I'm thinking about trying this year and would like to know what I'm getting myself into. Thanks

[utmiken]

I've riden it the last 2 years. Last year was one of the hottest to date. Temp on my computer read 114 off the pavement. We were planning to do the 100 mile route however due to excesive temperatures they prematurley closed "hell's gate" (normal cutoff time is noon) at 11am and due to our late start we arrived there at 11:30 and they did not let us through and ended up doing about 75 miles. Besides the MS150, HNH is the best supported ride in Texas. I think there are as many volunteers as there are riders.

Regardless of your ride experience I'd recommend it as a challenge and a spectacle to see the entire city of Wichita Falls come out and offer their city up to cyclists. It is always an awesome felling to finish that hellish ride.

Bit of advice would be to book your room now if you plan on staying. Most places I believe may already be full. If you go I'll see you there! Safe cycling!

[carlyerin]

takes place in my home town. all depends on the weather!

[rvcain]

It is a great bike ride and expo event! I was able to complete the 100 mile course two years ago with a few friends. The heat was high but the killer was the wind. Some legs of the course you felt like you were going to be blown off your bike and if you didn't have someone to share the chore of taking the lead, then you had a miserable time. Of course when you went downwind .... you were hauling!! Thousands of riders and great support from the city and volunteers. If you have a long drive to return home, then I would plan on
staying an extra night just to recover. Have fun!

[rphoto]

I have riden it about 10 times back in the early days but never the 100 mile route. Most I ever tried was the 100k. It is an awesome ride and you will enjoy it. I know spend my time photographing the event.

[a2rob]

I rode in 2005 the 100k and I plan on riding this year also. The expo has everthing you can imagine related to a cyclist. Mu wife is planning on riding this year with me...

[Hogleg 44]

It's Great. But unless you are racing, be prepared for a bit of a walk before the crowd thins enough to actually get on the bike. After that...It's a Blast!

[Cope]

I rode it all the way in 1988. Actually it was 105 miles, 105°, and a 25 mph head wind for the last 45 miles. They never had wind until that year, and the weather has never cooperated to my knowledge since then.

It is nice to be dying in the saddle and see a whole community cheering you on. I did the MS 150 and the Waco Wild West Century the same year, but finishing the Hotter-n-Hell is the one I am proudest of.

While waiting for me to finish, my wife and daughters saw a 60 year old man collapse and die from a heart attack just after signing in.

[a2rob]

Agree, I believe that I walked 1/2 mile before the start of the ride. I arrived at 0530 ride day and there must have been 500 to 1000 people already in line. The rest sopt located every ten miles was really nice.
The open fire hydrant at the end was a fun way to cool off. My last 15 miles I thought I was going to sag, because of cramps but a kind lady recommende pickle juice and that gross tasting stuff saved the day!!

[kamari]

I really had intentions on riding in it this year but aside from an occasional 16 mile ride to work (before this monsoon season began) I haven't been able to find time to ride and get ready for this. I did a 100 miler a few years ago and slept for 23 straight hours afterwards...didn't even get up for the bathroom. I completed it on a mountain bike. How in the world I kept a 17mph pace with the road bikers is still beyond me. I haven't done much riding lately and I probably would be burning out of gas midway thru. *sigh* I'll have to pass on this one.

[kenw]

might want to rename it "Wetter than Webbed Feet Waddle" this year.....

good luck to all.

Y'all ride, I'll cheer you on and take pics...;)

[JPalmer]

I'll be around...shootin like crazy as I've done the last 3 years.

It's a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work too. Hopefully...this year the weather will be more like the '05 ride (mid 80s and nice breeze) than last year (mid 90s with high humidity).

[Craig]

I've done the race twice back when I was racing. Nice scenery. The years I did it, heat wasn't a problem. If you ride regularly, you shouldn't have a problem. The hills are not hard at all, more rollers than hills. The expo is really a nice treat.

[studiocygnet]

I've done the 100 numerous times, on a road bike, a mountain bike, a single speed cruiser, a 1940's fat tire Schwinn, and a tandem with my wife. I've also inline skated the 25 mile course. When I first started doing it I would do the whole hundred in the lead pack in 4 hours or so, but really I only started having fun on the ride when I started going slower with my wife on our tandem, and stopping at all the rest stops. So many people turn out to assist and staff the rest areas that you don't want to blow by them. Each one is a different theme, and they have different food as well, including the pickles referred to above. The one at about 80 miles usually has really great cookies.
And really what everyone says about the wind and the heat is true, but it's just a gamble what the weather will be until the day of the event. The wind is what will really make it harder, but if you just pace yourself and expect to take most of the day to do it, it's not that bad. But don't stay at any rest stop for more than about 5 minutes, or you'll start to stiffen up. If you are used to drafting it can help get you in faster, but there are always lots of crashes in the big packs because of the various levels of riders involved. So drafting in the pack is mentally stressful, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you are experienced.
The hydration pack, specifically the brand called "Camelbak" was invented at the HnH. An EMT from Odessa hooked up an IV bag to some tubing to keep himself hydrated. So you know that drinking constantly during the ride is important. I would recommend a hydration pack if you're not adverse to something on your back. You can drink small amounts more often, instead of gulping a whole lot at the rest areas. It's better for you that way. So why do I expound in such a lengthy manner on this event - I was the Camelbak sales rep here in Texas for the first 10 years of the companies' existence, and helped develop some of the packs. Hotter n Hell was one of our testing grounds.
Remember, stay to the right except to pass.

[Cope]

I remember pulling into the rest stop in a small town and there was a banner across the road "Welcome to the North Pole". All the workers were in Santa's evles costumes, and I asked one lady what the deal was. This town was the Northern most point in the ride, and they had come up with this theme. At least in '88, the stops had a competrition for best rest stop.

Whether you use a camel back or just regular bottles, drink plenty. I used both of my bottles between each rest stop.