Hotter 'N Hell Hundred
Saturday, August 27, 2005
No Where Else But Texas
by Philip Watson, President

Warm wind blowing, heat and blue sky,
And a road that goes  . . . . forever.
      Lyrics from “The Road to Hell” by Chris Rea

Hotter 'N Hell 2005 is almost here.  Most GDBers have an opinion about the largest bike rally in the country, whether they are a long-time HHH rider looking forward to the next one, or excited about going to their very first HHH, or whether they say "Heck no I won't go -- and get in with that mess of people" -- GDBers have an opinion about the most famous bicycle event in the state.

Of the GDBers who go to HHH, most wholeheartedly agree that to get the most of the HHH experience it’s best to go to Wichita Falls Friday afternoon and visit the exhibits and vendors inside and out of the convention center while mingling with others. Plus watch the criterion races in the late afternoon and have dinner with their cycling friends.

It’s an amazing sight to see the number of vehicles heading northwest out of Dallas on Friday before HHH. You can't help but get pumped up as you take Highway 287 and see so many cars hauling bikes.

"Yep", you think, "this is gonna be a big one."

Wichita Fall’s  Hotter 'N Hell Hundred started in 1982. HHH is not as large as it was in '92, the first year I rode it. That year there were 12,000 riders. A few years back the route was reversed, whether that was the reason or not, afterwards the numbers decreased. 2004 had approximately 8,500 registered riders. Not as big as it once was HHH is still Texas size cycling.

Think about this: For many years, HHH has had a cyclist registered to ride from every state in the Union (except Alaska and Hawaii). That’s truly incredible. And for GDBers, the biggest rally in the country is an easy two hour drive away.

People ask why the rally has been so popular, and thus so big. Let's face it, the Wichita Falls area is not exactly cycling in Tuscany or the valleys of Champagne or Napa. And finding a place to stay Friday night can be a challenge. Lots of theories abound why the ride attracts so many. Some say it's the very name itself: an austere label for a modern day Texas size bad lands physical and mental challenge.  Personally, I think it is the challenge but combined with the incredible support that Wichita Falls gives its riders (see 'Accommodations' below).

How tough a ride is it? As many can testify, if rally day is under 100 degrees and the wind is calm, HHH is not that hard a ride. It's almost totally flat and there's plenty of quality rest stops and bail out SAG support. But, oh gentle reader, if the day turns into a scorcher and that blow torch wind is pounding you mile after mile, and the mercury starts climbing north of the century mark, HHH can really live up to its name -- and take its toll. Unfortunately, it seemed each year someone lost their life while riding HHH, and four years ago there were two fatalities.

HHH started to get a reputation.

Every year during the ride, we see fellow HHH riders in wincingly degrees of physical and mental duress. But support is there with medical personnel providing veritable MASH units with stretchers, fans, ice, cold towels and, if needed, IVs for cyclists that have pedaled as far as they can go. CareFlight helos are parked as some of the rest stops.

There are tricks to having a successful and fun HHH (and it’s probably not the free beer at mile 95!) Just talking to other GDBers can give ideas to a first timer, though all do not agree, and what works for one person to get through the 100 degree 100 mile route may not work for someone else. But if this is your first century, please read and talk to others and get information on how to make your HHH as safe and fun as possible. 

Of course cyclists have options for shorter rides. In fact, only 10 percent of the registered riders go for the 100 mile route. Susan has always ridden the 100k (62 mile) and particularly likes where that ride takes you pedaling through the Air Force base and under the wings of those huge planes.

Hey, how 'bout this? Some GDBers will ride their bikes to Wichita Falls, then ride the century, and then ride back to Dallas! Give a friendly honk and wave to Brenda Barnell when you pass her pedaling west on Friday. Wish good luck to GDB's racers Greg, Jay, David and Paula as they enter the 100k race. And maybe say "howdy" to Bo Newton, who, at 75, will go for his 10th straight 100 mile Hotter N Hell. 

Now, about Accommodations:

One of the first questions people often ask when talking about HHH is "where are you staying?" Accommodations in Wichita Falls the night before HHH is one of the challenges of this great event. Until a few years ago, there were not as many hotels and motels as are now. And I’ve never heard anyone too thrilled about having to buy two nights for HHH, which is what most hotels require.

Lots of folks camp, and this year REI is renting tents. For info on camping in a rented tent, check out www.rei.com or call 972-490-5989. Hey, are those REI folks great or what?!

For 14 years straight, Susan and I have made our accommodations with local residents. The WF Chamber of Commerce provides names of residents volunteering to take riders into their homes for the Friday night before the ride. The Chamber's number is 940-723-2741. The nice folks there will give you names of local volunteers who are civic minded and want to keep the HHH experience alive and well for out-of-town riders and their community. These wonderful local Wichita Fall residents let you sleep, eat and bathe in their homes. 

Now that's the kind of support that has made HHH such a huge success.

Hotter 'N Hell happens toward the end of August and in a way the rally icon provides many GDBers with a demarcation, or a culmination of the cycling year -- or at least the summer season. Often when the first real cold snap falls on the metroplex, one finds one self almost in a time warp, thinking back at what seemed such a short time ago, when that Texas sun reached its zenith in the burning sky and the wavy lines radiated off the surface of those blistering HHH roads and distorted the oil derricks and cyclists along the flat, shimmering horizon.

Hope to see y'all this year at Wichita Fall’s Hotter 'N Hell Hundred.

And please be safe.