While thousands of cyclists put their feet to the pedals in the Wichita Falls area for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred today, a mixed group that includes soldiers, airmen and sailors and another group of airmen in two different locations overseas — one in Iraq and one in Kuwait — will have their own events in conjunction with the Ride.
After HHH Executive Director Chip Filer received requests from soldiers and airmen overseas who wanted permission to ride the Hotter’N Hell Hundred on their bases or in their camps — and also wanted HHH T-shirts and water bottles — he asked Maj. Brian Young, medical services flight commander at Sheppard Air Force Base, to coordinate these overseas events.
August 24, 2008By: Rick Ankrum Category: Commentary, Ride
Yesterday was the annual Hotter’n Hell Hundred ride in Wichita Falls. I was among the estimated 11,260 riders leaving the starting line. The four T-38 jets streaked over Scott Street about 7:06AM following the Star Spangle Banner. My heart beats proudly when I see those jets in a tight formation zoom by.
This year’s ride was well organized as almost every one has been. Each year there is something extra. This year the ride map came with the GPS coordinates for each rest stop along each of the routes. This is the first ride where I have seen this feature.
In spite of the name, this year the temperature was only 95 degrees when I finished at 1:27PM. My group had started at 7:20AM because we were some ways back from the starting line where the cannon sounded at 7:09. Wind was not a factor since it was light at 6mph and from the southeast. While I was waiting to start riding I spoke with another rider who was from Burkburnett, just north of Wichita Falls. This was his fifth time to ride. He told me about his first ride five years ago when he was going to ride with his daughter and son-in-law on the 25 mile route. A week or so before the ride his daughter called to tell him she was not going to be able to ride because she was pregnant. His son-in-law had planned on riding the 100k and he did not think he could make it that far since he had only been training for the 25 miles. They compromised and rode the 50 miles without incident. Since then he has ridden the 100 mile route one time.
The ride went smoothly for me. I was trying a new twist this ride. I bought a Flip video camera with the thought of recording some of the ride. While riding and shooting video would be tough my wife did shoot video at the start line and I did some of the rest stops. (Once I figure out my Youtube.com account I will upload several videos.) This is a video of the women’s criterium on Friday evening.
Hotter’N Hell is not just a one-day event. For three days, cyclists enjoy activities like a consumer show, spaghetti dinner, USCF Criterium Race, USCF Road Race, the Hotter’N Hell Hundred Endurance Ride, off-road bicycle race and off-road trail run as well as entertainment, food and fun at the Finish Line Village.
August 11, 2008By: Rick Ankrum Category: Article, Ride
This rider must get the award for traveling the farthest to ride in the Hotter’n Hell Hundred later this month in Wichita Falls. According to the story in the Wichita Falls Times Record News, “Jay Hightower, an American geologist living in Egypt, will test how the training he does with the Cairo Cycling Club amid the pyramids stands up to the Hotter’N Hell Hundred this year.”
Bruce Williamson, a former Wichita Falls resident and now the Hotter’N Hell Hundred’s graphic designer, is collaborating with famous sports artist Bart Forbes to honor the cyclists who survive the ride year after year and the organizers who make it all possible with their artwork.
“I always thought if I rode 100 miles in 100-degree heat, I would want more to show for that effort than a T-shirt and lapel pin,” Williamson said.
Patrick McBride is hoping the Midwest corn crop is unseasonably good next summer. That’s when McBride and two friends will ride their bikes about 1,200 miles from Wichita Falls to Chicago to raise money for an orphanage project in Nigeria.
“The tall corn stalks stop the wind from coming across the road,? McBride said.
Runner, swimmer, cyclist and camper Sandy Monson also is a nature enthusiast who enjoys encouraging people to live a fitter lifestyle outdoors.
“Running is freedom,? she said. “The thing about trail running is that you’re in nature. In the fall there are so many different colors and in the winter it’s quiet, there’s leaves all over the trail and you feel you’re a thousand miles from nowhere.?
Monson recently landed her dream job, when she was named executive director of Wichita Falls Streams and Valleys.
The second annual Faster’N Hell mountain bike race does not deny that it was partly created to pay homage to the best-known bicycle ride in North Texas — the Hotter’N Hell Hundred.
“It is now an official training event for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred,? said Patrick McBride, the race’s promoter.
Hotter’N Hell is also a sponsor of the event.
The Faster’N Hell will begin with its first race at 8 a.m. Sunday on the Wee-Chi-Tah Trail. The staging area for the trail is in the J.S. Bridwell Ag Center’s back gravel parking lot at 111 N. Burnett Street in Wichita Falls.
Texbiker.net covers the news, events and resources for those interested in Texas bicycling.
My bicycling passion was rekindled in 1979 with a Huffy bicycle from Woolco. From early rides around my neighborhood my enthusiasm grew to tackle my unsupported first century. From there I discovered organized rides all over Texas, races and mountain bikes. Many bikes and miles later the enthusiasm is still there.
Thanks to my wife, Hazel Marie, for her support over the many years, miles and rides.
In 1999 Texbiker.net was born to help my fellow bikers have ready access to all of the information about the Texas bicycling scene.
