I drove toward Scott Street in downtown Wichita Falls to begin the 100K route of the Hotter’N Hell Hundred. The weather forecast called for milder than normal temperatures, 40% chance of rain and strong south-southeast wind. We arrived at our usual parking lot around 6:30 AM with many other riders already there. This spot is about a three block walk to Scott Street north of 7th Street. The 100K starting slot was well populated and I could see two of the pylons for the 100 mile riders further north on Scott Street. I mingled among the 100K riders taking some video while my wife held the Motobecane Le Champion CF bike. After putting on my shoes it was time for the Star Spangled Banner followed by 4 Air Force planes flying up Scott Street. Once the planes completed their mission the ceremonial cannon was shot and the ride began at about 7:07 AM. I waited until 7:37 for the 100K group’s turn to leave. I was off without any issues enjoying the nice tailwind. The temperature was 73 according to my cell phone.
The weather forecast did not hold true as far as the rain with no rain clouds to be seen. The wind part was true though. My cell phone’s weather app reported 16 mph wind but I think the wind gusts could have been 20 to 30 mph. Wind did not become an issue until the route turned east at the 3rd rest stop on the 100K route. It was not a headwind but strong from the right side. I rode at a higher speed than I thought the wind would allow. Up to that point I had kept my average speed at 16.2 mph and maintained this until reaching the 50 mile point in Burkburnett when the route turned south along I-44. From that point until the finish I battled the wind. At times I rode 10 to 12 mph and other times I got up to 15 mph but not for long. I kept looking for a pace line to grab onto but each one I tried rode off from me. The wind took a break when we turned east to Sheppard Air force Base. Once we got to the base we were back in the wind until the finish. that was a long 6 miles. My ride ended up at 66.67 miles. The 16.2 mph average speed dropped to 15.2 mph by the time I crossed the finish line about 12:50 PM.
Some riders were not as fortunate ending their ride with a crash. I saw at least 6 people laying on the road and one ambulance taking someone to the hospital. I saw one SAG wagon before hitting the wind but once I got the headwind several SAG wagons arrived. The SAG wagons only had 3 or 4 bicyclists on board which surprised me. Not so the side the road. A large number of riders stopped along the roadside and some looked sick or even ready to vomit from the effort.
I stopped at rest stop #7 at 57 miles because my feet hurt. This rest stop offered snow cones and it tasted great and cold. They also passed out Sam’s Club chocolate chip cookies. I ate several. My feet recovered but when I started to leave I could not get my left shoe clip to engage. When I looked the cleat I thought I stepped in gum but it turned out to be a Clif Shot Blok. Thankfully it dissolved when I peeled off the dead grass and most of blok and swished it in the runoff water from the spray mist. Now I got moving again with refreshed feet. Next stop Sheppard Air Force Base.
Riding through Sheppard Air Force Base is special with all of the Air Force personnel lining the street after the on base rest stop. You can see this on the video below.
Overall I think my recent training rides helped prepare me for today enabling me to not need to stop until the 41 mile rest stop. I could have continued to the next rest stop except I needed to refill my CamelBak. Riding time was 4:21:53 and the total time was 5:14:15. With the help of some hills I hit 30.6 mph maximum speed. At the end I walked to meet my wife without any problem. I probably could have biked further. Since I do not have access to SportTracks at home I am only including the Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com data and map.
The video highlights my 100K ride. This is the first I rode the 100K because the 100 mile route changed and eliminated the Hell’s Gate turn off in Burkburnett.
Some photos before the 100K ride starts.
[iframe http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214873595 98% 875]
