RT

Since this is my first year taking the Century A Month challenge, I thought that the August event in Wichita Falls would be great way to fill the August slot for my 100 miler. I have completed one century, and ridden from Colorado Springs to Dallas in what was more a race against time than a tour - I had only 8 vacation days plus a weekend, so I've ridden back to back to back 70+ days. Also, Texas heat is not new to me - I prefer to ride in heat.

Has anyone in this forum participated in this event? I saw a few had in the Roadie forum, but thought this a more appropriate forum to gather info.

- Is it more of a race, or a ride against the clock?

- I am familiar with the Gates of Hell, and am sure I can cross that milestone, but am concerned about how big the groups are, and if there are different classes of riders. Don't want to be getting in the way.

- Do you bring your own support, or is there support there? Water, rest stops, etc. Are you made to stop?

I'm sure there are more unanswered questions, but these are the ones that leap to mind. Thanks!

supcom

Go to hh100.org. Most of your questions will be answered there.

Don't worry about being in the way. There are 8000+ riders doing this event. Everyone is in everyone else's way. Watch out and be safe.

This is a very well supported ride with fully stocked rest stops about every 10 miles. You can stop wherever you like. You should bring two bottles or a Camelbak, as you like.

I've done the ride four times. There are virtually no hills. Heat, wind, and clueless cyclists are the main obstacles.

Start planning your accommodations now. Motels in Wichita Falls will likely be completely booked since the day after the last ride.

RT

Thanks! I've been to the site, but wanted the 'feel' from someone who's done it. That's a lot of wheels on the road at once. Everyone rides the same course then? I'm well-versed in the intricacies of riding the road on a commute, but have never been on a group ride. Sounds like fun, and challenging too!

StephenH

Go here, and you can read reviews and stuff:

https://www.bicycle-stuff.com/main/ar.../08-august.htm

I've never been there, but may try to go this summer. They DO have different length routes, it's not 100 miles or bust. There should be a route map on that website, I know I've seen one somewhere.

SandLizrd

I rode it this year. Great fun! The whole town is excited about it.

Yeah, there's a lot of wheels. Relatively speaking, it's one big pack for the first 30 miles, the rest stop at Electra seems to separate out the crowds a bit. The crowds are intense. There were 50 or more 12mph mtb riders who must've jumped on the course beyond the start line, they created quite a hazard.

I'm not a big participant in group-rides, I don't have a local club, but I'm glad I knew about riding in a pack. There's something to be said about idiots swerving in front of you and the ability to predict it. I saw a thousand people overlapping wheels in the draft and I cautiously moved away - when they crashed out I wasn't there.

Is it a race, or a tour? Consider the following: At mile 98 there's a "free beer" stop. When I left there after one invigorating beverage, I was riding with these two tanked dudes who had been hanging there for two hours. They were swerving a bit, but they were VERY good-natured and it was still safe enough and lots of fun. I think this makes it clear: If you're not in the lead pack, you're just out there for the ride. There are no timing chips, the only timeframe I got was looking at a clock when I crossed the line.

It was FUN! I don't know if I'll be there this year, but I'm sure I'll be there again soon

Rex G

Never been up there, but some volunteers I know who work the Houston-Austin MS150 and are familiar with both events say the HNH is very well-supported and well-run.

alloutdoors

I did HHH in 2006 and it was well supported, they just didn't completely plan for 106 degree heat. The first 20 or 30 miles are crazy, there are people everywhere and crashes are commonplace. The key is to get towards the front of the pack at the start. You can pretty much draft off people the whole time. Towards the end I was getting passed by a fair number of people and was still passing a fair number of people. It is definitely a ride to just have fun.

DanielS

How strange.

RT

Thanks for all the input - I'm not yet certain that I'm ready for a ride of this magnitude, having never ridden in a group of more than two. Most of my cycling is done solo. I'm a courteous and alert rider, however it sounds as if I'd be getting a lot of "Outta my way, newbie!"

StephenH

Todd, I went up to the Turkey Roll in Denton a few weeks ago. They had something like 500 people there, I think.

There really weren't problems with bikes being in the way unless you were trying to get in front of everyone. If you wanted to lead the pack but started in back, then yeah, everyone's in your way. Otherwise you could tootle along in the crowd with no problem.

The "consumer show" here sounds about as interesting as the ride itself.

I probably will try to go this year. I live in the Dallas area, so it's just a matter of getting up pretty early in the morning.

alloutdoors

It was my first organized ride and I was really impressed with the setup, they just hadn't planned on it getting so hot that day. It was over 100 degrees by 10am. They closed the course early, saying the temperature off the pavement was 140 or so. It would be superbly supported for a normal day.

DanielS

I just found it funny that they didn't expect it to get so hot, when the ride is called the "Hotter than Hell Hundred"!

BikeArkansas

I rode the HHH this year. This is a must for any cyclist. 11,208 bicycles officially started the race. This does not include at least a thousand that started just in front of the start line. The figure was 70 percent of the starters were riding the full 100 miles. Your may see anything on a bicycle there. You may see any kind of bicycle. Just ride it, but be very careful. You can draft most of the time, but riding a few inches off a wheel that you do not know can be detrimental to your health. I had to use a tent this year because of the lack of rooms. Not that bad, even for this old man. Good luck.

Shifty

+1
We hold our Blackberry bRamble century in Eugene the 1st weekend in August. Typical high temperature for the day is 75 - 80 degrees. Think I'll stay in the PNW...

zagnut

In 06, the organizers were caught with their pants down so to speak despite all their experience. The real problem that year was that it got so hot so EARLY. It's has been that hot before, probably even hotter, but not that early in the morning. I've seen it at 108 at the finish by 11:00. They are well prepared, they have enormous quantities of ice, water etc. It's very interesting to read about the actual numbers. In 06, because it got so hot so EARLY, they closed off the long course earlier than ever. The medical director does this by using some sort of heat index formula. Since they steered so many people to the shorter course, it created shortages that they hadn't had in the past. Additionally, some people on the long course, were misdirected by vandals that altered signs creating yet more problems. Trust me, you will not see many rides that are as well prepared as this one, but sometimes, even the best laid plans go awry. It's really pretty amazing that they can pull it off as smoothly as they do. Oh yeah, and one more thing, in 06, they had around 11,000 riders, I think it was the alltime record.

Zagnut

chevy42083

Incase you didn't see these threads...
https://www.bikeforums.net/texas/336992-hotter-n-hell-hundred-2007-survival-stories.html

Soonerinfrisco

The HHH 100 is way cool! THere are riders of all levels. You can always find a group of riders going your pace. After 20 miles or so there is a rest area about every 10 miles with phenomenal support and medical staff. It is amazing how great an ice cold towel feels on your neck at 85 miles! It is a must-do event for cyclists.

It is the easiest century I have done and it was by far the fastest. Something about it just makes you want to pedal faster! Also no need to bring your own food. Very well-stocked rest areas.