Road Cycling - Hotter 'n Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, TX

Has anyone done this ride before? I'm planning on doing the metric century but am toying with the notion of riding in the true century tour. How big a factor is the heat? My best ride so far was 80 miles on Day One of the HEB MS 150 from San Antonio to Corpus Christi. Since it's in October, the weather was mild compared to late August. Just interested in your thoughts...

The first year I did it it was 110F on the road by about 9:30. I raced it one year before they ditched the race and it was overcast and more comfortable. But, more often than not, it lives up to its name and the heat is an incredible opponent. It's flatter'n hell up there, but the heat and humidity is usually pretty incredible.

That said, drink a lot of sports drink (provided in abundance), eat well (food also provided in abundance) and pace yourself and you'll be fine. Almost any ride where the biggest climb is a highway overpass is gonna be fun regardless of conditions. Just be careful.

I did that one about 10 years ago. Like the name implies, it was hot. But like the other rides in that area, there are plenty of rest stops to help get you through it.

If you plan to do an overnight trip, make your hotel accomdations early. I stayed at a nearby campsite and slept under the stars (no tent, just a sleeping bag). That was fun.

The whole trip was fun despite the heat. I did a lot of those rides leading up to the Hotter 'n Hell trip so I was used to the heat by that time.

I do remember that the Fire Dept. had setup some mist curtans at the end of the ride. Boy, that was a great way to cool down.

It is a great ride. I did it for the first time last year.

That being said, I may not get to go back. The hotels have a two night minimum @ about $100 per night. Combine that with a 6 hour drive each way + dog boarding, makes for a long rather expensive weekend. I now I could camp, but I just can not bring myself to camp after a 100 mile 100 degree ride. When I look at what it costs to go there, I can use one of my many frequent flyer tickets and go diving (which I love as much as cycling, but never get to do) in Key Largo for a couple of days.

The rest stops are wonderful. For a salt recharge, we went and got some fries at McDonalds near Hells Gate. (Where you make the call for 60 or 100 miles.) Gotta do the 100 if you go. It is not that much harder than the 60, I promise. :)

The have some of the best support I have ever seen, and the fighter jet flying low over the start is something wonderfully energizing for the beginning of your day.

Wow that sounds cool, i had toyed with the idea of doing this ride earlier in the year but deceided that it would be best to stick to my current training and maybe do this one next year. Heck, i plan to ride the Texas Hell Week next year


:eek: :D

Texas Hell Week, now thats one I want to try.

Rather than doing HHH this year, A couple of us are going to attempt an unsupported (other than friends for sag if needed) 240 mile ride in Houston. Yep, in one day.

Texas Hell Week, now thats one I want to try.

Rather than doing HHH this year, A couple of us are going to attempt an unsupported (other than friends for sag if needed) 240 mile ride in Houston. Yep, in one day.

All Guts No Glory- Aug 7, 2004

http://geoffreypierce.tripod.com/crank/id3.html

I will be trying this one too. It will be a good test for the upcoming Texas 24hr time trial in Oct.
This will be my first attempt at anything over 140 miles in one day. It will be HOT too! Maybe I will see you there.

I did it last year. It was lots of fun, and while hot, it could have been worse. The main thing is to stay hydrated and be mindful of pace, because you turn south into the wind for the last part of the ride (when the heat's up). I plan on it again this year. We stayed at "The Place" (like a YMCA). It was about $30 for the night and worked out well. Go for the century, and if you're not feeling great, you can always turn south at Hells Gate. The pickles and cold/wet towelettes at the rest stops were great.

I've done it for the last 2 years, first year was 106 on the road, last year a bit cooler.
Its a very well supported ride and alot of fun. They are adding back the road race
this year (which has been absent for the previous 2).
If I may suggest a less expensive place to stay is Camp Chaparral, its a baptist
retreat about 8 miles outside of town, its clean, inexpensive, and you get an all you
can eat spaghetti dinner the night before the ride and breakfast the day of the ride.
The thing I appreciated the most is checkout is after the ride so you finish and have
a place to go shower/clean up afterwards.
Last year there were still places available (in the dorm areas not the hotel) the day
before the ride. Very nice well kept secret (well not all that secret eh?).
I was going to include link but can't get to web site. I believe its
www.campchaparral.org (http://www.campchaparral.org)

Marty

Kewl. I think I'm gonna sign up then and just make sure I train on the especially hot days. Next year, I hope to do the Chainring Challenge :)

One thing to note with Camp Chapparal, if I'm remembering correctly, is the fact that it's a dorm room kinda thing. We ended up with a guy in our room that snored so loud it shook the beds. That made the race more fun. Someone please correct me if I'm not remembering the right place.

Blue - Nice to know there are other insane people out there willing to do this glory ride!

Looking forward to it. My longest ever at this point is 135 miles.

tks,

Matt

i saw that All guts no glory ride it sounds really cool, but I worry about the lack of support and such. Thats a but load of riding to be out with out any support. Thats the only thing that turned me off from this ride. :(

milk -

For support on the all guts no glory, three of us that ride together are having our spouses sag for us by splitting up the miles. Not to mention around mile 80 we pass right near my house, mile 140 near my office, and 190 near my buddy's house. My wife may ride the first 100 and come in near my house after a few extra miles. While my wife is riding one of the other spouses will sag.

If you are anywhere near the center of Houston someone could get you with about an hours wait.


Matt

There are both Dorm arrangements and single room/hotel like rooms to be had.
Ppcsanity1, will see you there (chapparal) as I have had reservations since last year.
I believe that 1oldroadie might join us (he first recommended the place to me)
last year had a few of us its a nice relaxed atmosphere.

Marty

Hope everyone has a great time up here. Weather might be a little rough, according to our local weatherman Skip. The tenters might get wet. Bring your deet repellent. Lotsa big mosquitos this year.

Trying to get locals interested in providing accommodations for those without reservations. Check out keepingitcheap.com

Good luck everybody.

[Hells Gate. (Where you make the call for 60 or 100 miles.) Gotta do the 100 if you go. It is not that much harder than the 60, I promise. :)

I am counting on that being true!!! I am sooo stoked, it'll be my first time, a HHH virgin I guess!! WOOHOO can't wait.

I am really bummed.
I'm taking a dive class (Instructors) and am booked for the weekend
so I won't be there.
I will be thinking of ya tho.
Be carefull on the road up to the airforce base along the highway,
its deceptive (uphill for about a gazillion miles at 1degree rise!).
have fun and I want ride reports!

Marty