A day when cyclists rule
 

This thread is for the cyclists that have not ridden the Hotter'n Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, Texas. This event has racing for pros, but the real event is the tour ride which has over 12,000 riders. The participants have a choice of many different rides from 100 miles to 25 miles. Of course the well known course is the 100 mile ride.

I have ridden this event 9 times, the latest being a couple weeks ago. Pedaling with 12,000 of your favorite riding friends is an event on its own. However, the main reason for this thread is to let riders know that this is a great time to ride a 100 mile ride with very little automobile traffic and your can ride this event without ever un-clipping. Really, the roads are so well closed or directed that you never are forced to un-clip due to stop signs, traffic lights or auto traffic.

During my ride a couple weeks ago I did not stop until the 60 mile rest stop (actually 58.9 mile). It is the rider's course and I really mean you are free to ride. I will not give my speed to the 60 mile rest stop because I do not want to upset the "smell the roses" riders, but this is a fast course.

There are some obstacles you must watch. I had to slow down a couple times because of crashes. Think about it, if you put that many people on a course someone will crash. Otherwise, just grab a wheel and ride. The only automobiles I saw on most of the course were ambulances and sag wagons.

On the other hand, it is always hot in Wichita Falls, Texas in August and the wind always blows, so there are a few drawbacks, but it truly is a day when cyclists rule. Great fun!

I don't want to rule.

I just want to ride without being killed or harassed, that's all.

My wife rode one of the shorter courses and really enjoyed riding without the normal auto traffic on the roads. The term "cyclist rule" was meant that the roads were only for cyclists for the day. Sorry that went over your head.

Sounds like a great event. I need to put that one on my list to come do. It sounds like you had a good ride and a great time. Thanks for sharing!

12,000 cyclists is enough of a deterrent for me.
Same reason I skip Seattle to Portland (STP) annually.
Replacing autos for ambulances doesn't 'make my day'.


Besides, as a left coaster = can't take the heat, I go into hiding above 90. Luckily, only a couple of days that hot this year in western WA.

Sounds like a one day version of RAGBRAI.

I've ridden bike tours where roads are closed to motor vehicle traffic including the Five Borough Bike Tour in New York City many times. I got your point.

Sorry I didn't explain mine well enough or at all. While one day bike tours where "Cyclists rule" are nice, they are the exception. My point was, exactly, share the road.

I am however, glad you got to rule the roads of Texas for a day. :rolleyes:


-Tim-

It does. But without Mr. Porkchop.

I wasn't in good enough shape this year to tackle the H'n'HH, but I didn't realize until afterward there were options for shorter distances. Maybe next year I can tag along with some friends who plan to ride.

Overall Texas has become much more cycling friendly since the 1980s when I moved back here. The H'n'HH probably contributed to that awareness and share-the-roadness. As a solo rider around the city streets and rural roads I've had mostly positive experiences, only a tiny handful of folks who were a bit rude or inattentive.

I was at the very front of the 100k bunch, and as such, passed several hundred of the 100 mile "Hopefuls". What I wanna know is, how did you make it through the cluster#$^% at rest stop #2 without un-clipping? While I didn't officially "stop" until SAFB, I sure slowed to a crawl at that one particular corner.....

Excellent question. The two riders I ride with much of the year started the HHH with me last year, and due to a mistake and time we started about where you started this year. The exact scenario you described happened to us. This year we started about half way up the Scorchers, which is the group that expects to ride the 100 miles in around 5 hours or a little over. One of my partners finished in 5:11 and the other at 5:14. I cramped at the 80 mile mark and finished way back. Anyway, by being in the group that normally finishes around 5 hours it was much easier to get past the rest stops. I mean a real difference. Therefore, the two real slow areas were for crashes, and even then we stayed about 15 MPH. So, move up and find fewer problems.

That's a really good point, and one I've thought about. Even if I only ride the 100k again next year, I'm at least going to start out at the front of the "Hopefuls". This was my first year to ride there, but I quickly realized after looking at (and passing) some of those people that a lot of them don't realize their own limitations.....