It depends on which category you are racing. Cat 5's might fill up pretty quick. Cat 1/2, not so much. Races usually don't open up for registration until about a month before. As a comparison there aren't any July TXBRA races open on Bikereg yet either.

I'll be there, probably in my blue official's shirt, feeling weird that I'm doing the HH100 in a follow car.

How long does it take you/what time do you leave? The powers that be at Lifetime corporate (located in Minneapolis where they're all thinking "C'mon, how hot could it really be?") wants us to have a regional presence at HH100. My interest in going is just about zero, the guys I usually ride with on my club rides don't really want to go either. I get the impression that my not being there would be frowned upon by our regional coordinator. I think I have to go but I want to keep it as cheap as possible. Not having to pay for a place to stay would help!

The heat sucks but whatever. It's Texas. htfu and all that.

I know several people - all experienced riders with solid handling skills - who have been in really bad accidents at HH100. All the wrecks involved riders in front of them who were riding way outside of their abilities, doing stupid unpredictable things and/or going down first.

Google shows 148 miles. It's clear sailing early in the morning, so probably 2-1/2 hours would be plenty. If I remember right, I went up and registered the day before last year, and also went through the Consumer Show (which, if you've been in RBM lately, there's not a whole lot else to see at the consumer show, other than HH100 jerseys and stuff.) Ride starts at 7:00, so to get there at 6:00, I'd leave at 3:30, get up at 3:00. So if I get to bed by 10:00 or earlier, I should be good.

It can get marginally hotter up there than it does in the DFW area, but it seems to be slightly drier, too. If you're riding all summer anyway, the heat won't be any more of an issue there than it is the rest of the summer.

On the wrecks- I saw where several had happened last year. My impression is that it's like driving on a crowded freeway. Go as fast as you possibly can and squeeze through too many holes and tailgate (I mean, draft) and you may be down by the road. Relax a bit, allow some room in front of you, and it doesn't seem to be a problem. At least, hasn't been for me. Keep in mind, too, that I was riding my Worksman cruiser on a 10 hour schedule the last two years, so it may be a little different up front. Riding the Sojourn, I'm thinking probably less than 8 hours including stops.

I was thinking about riding my industrial trike on the 100k, but think I'll just take the Sojourn and do the 100 mile version.

As a cat 3, I dunno how quick/slow the registration will fill. So, I've resigned myself to just watching the race-reg webpage once a week. Currently, it says mid-June it'll open up.

One of the guys at RBM calls it "Dumber than Hell One Hundred".
given the last time I rode it was me and 12000 of my closest friends accidents are to be expected.
They usually occur in the first 5 miles or so, until everyone sorts themselves out.
If you go expect to see lots of really stupid stuff, I mean seriously 12000 people on
all sorts of bikes, rollerblades, unicycles and everything else you can imagine.
Lots of flats in the first couple of miles too, with people with no spares, spares and
no pumps/CO2, you get the idea?

But honestly, it's a lot of fun.
Marty

That's not necessarily true; I think the annual Seagull Century can be much easier, depending on how the winds happen to be blowing that particular day.

My girlfriend and I are both LTF members and ride with the Flower Mound group; would the "powers that be at Lifetime corporate" sponsor us to ride the HH100 wearing one of your jerseys to have a regional presence there?

Exceptionally doubtful - Lol! But you can ask Daina on the 100k Monday.

Hey Hrt4me, where i NoVa are you? I lived in Falls Church for 16 years.

I guess I need to change my profile; I was in Vienna/Tyson's Corner/McLean when I registered on BikeForums, but now I'm back in Texas.

We're planning to do that ride in the countryside out to Aubrey, so we'll be sure to ask her then...

It's pretty out there - have fun! Most of the folks from Premier will be doing the Holiday Ride to Segoville but every now and then we head out to Flower Mound to ride with ya'll. The last time I was out there to ride I did 60 miles Sunday morning in Flower Mound then came back to Dallas to lead our 60 mile ride that afternoon. I made a mental note NOT to do that again. But maybe a Saturday B ride would be nice...Premier will be at the Collin Classic. Are you planning on doing that one? It's always nice to put a face to a name. (btw: You have a great cycle club there - it's actually so great that corporate wants us all to use Flower Mound as our "business" model. I don't know if Daina brags on it much but she's done an amazing job of creating a cycling community in FM. I love Daina - she's so stinkin' precious!)

Thanks, lotek - you're making me feel a little better about HH100. It sounds like something that's worth doing at least once just to experience it.

Shellyspins,

I truely believe that everyone should experience it at least once. There are a few rides that are
'noteworthy' in the annals of cycling lore, RAGBRAI comes to mind and HHH for me is one of them.
One of the most amazing parts of it is riding down the flight line at Sheppard AFB.
Just watch out for people walking out in front of you to give you your 'pin' at the finish line.
they've been known to do stupid stuff like stand in front of you.

Marty

I think that flight line experience is on the 100k, not the 100 mile route, though.

You are correct about the air base is on the 100k,50 and 25 mile routes. What is the most impressive thing the last few years is the cheer corridor manned by personel stationed at the base. It is most awesome.

Yes, we are planning to do that ride, although we have no registered for it yet...

Id really like to give it a shot but its a drive from houston.

So I'm feeling better about the 2010 HH100. It sounds like the best plan is to just expect some stupid stuff and try to cautiously get past the woefully unprepared in the first few miles. I've been asking around more and have met some people that say it's an amazing ride, one that they never miss. Also, most people have recommended the Goatneck as a good pre-HH100 ride. But the longest route at the Goatneck is still just a 100K route. Is it just me or are there no other organized century rides (and I mean 100 miles) in the Northern Texas region? Or am I missing something?

Most of the rides do have 100k as the longer route. But going through the schedule on www.bicycle-stuff.com, I find the following 100-mile rides:
Cow Creek Classic, June 26 in Waxahachie
Quartz Mountain Diamondback 100, Altus, OK, August 7
Red River Bike Rally, Sherman, TX, August 14
Wild West Waco Century, Sept. 25, Waco
Also one in San Angelo. I think the Space Race in Houston has a 100-mile route, and there may be some others around the state as well.
I wouldn't worry especially about a good "pre-HH100" ride. Depending on the hills and the temperatures, some of these rides could very easly be harder than the HH100. Riding my single-speed last year, the Beauty and the Beast ride in Tyler was pretty rough on me, and I thought I was going to melt the first time I did the Mesquite Rodeo Ride. But they're all good fun if you're in the mood.

And, if you're in the mood for 100 mile rides, just stretch it a bit to 125 miles, and you've got a 200k brevet with Lone Star Randonneurs. Check into that.

I'll be there! (this will be my 27th)

The HHH is a great ride. They are well organized, and have good routes and good rest stops. The consumer show is good. The vendors after the ride are good. It IS crowded, which is part of the novelty of it though. If you pay attention to what is going on around you then you should be OK, but you definitely want to ride defensively.

@shellyspins,

I would say the Goatneck 100K and the HHH 100K are both harder than the HHH 100Mi. I know that's a bold statement, but that is my experience. After doing the 100K in the HHH for a couple of years, I started doing the 100Mi, and thought it was easier.

OK, I just saw that the HH100 race registration page is up. The rally registration page has been up for a while. Good luck!

Thanks. I looked over the weekend and it wasn't there. Thanks for the heads-up.

This will be my first time to ride in the HHH. I'm pretty new to my road bike.

Phillip

If you want the experience of the air force base (it blew me away) but want a longer ride than 100k, do the 100 mile route up to Hell's Gate, and take the shortcut even if the gate is still open.

I think it's around 80 miles total, and you get to see both Hell's Gate and the air force base.

Having military personnel line the road and cheer YOU on is uplifting, and cruising past the planes on display was really cool. You can stop and take pictures, too.

I did like the Expo, bought my wife shorts, jersey, and socks. Some items like tires/seats/etc weren't that great on price, but clothing was good if your ok with closeouts.

We stayed in Lawton Ok last year, but got in on a hotel this time. The crowd is ridiculous, there are accidents in the first 20 miles, and I had to unclip and walk in two places just because of the crowd, but its the HHH100 and I can't wait to do it again.

I just reserved a room at the Hampton Inn in Burkburnett, TX, which is about 12 mi from Wichita Falls. It was full but I got a reservation because I am a Hilton Honors Diamond member. I still haven't registered, but I am strongly leaning towards participation.

How are the hills? I prefer my road bike with a compact double. I also have a hybrid with a triple. I need to start increasing my mileage. I am a geezer, but I haven't retired. My job constrains my riding time.

Does anyone have any training tips for the HHH? I ride in a lot of the area rallies and go the 60 miles. I also rode in the MS150 Frisco-Ft. Worth but I'm really worried about making it to hell's gate. I'd like to find a group to ride with to keep a good pace to Hell's Gate. If anyone has a training ride I'd love to talk to someone who has done the full ride before.

Phillip

Can we start riding at 6 AM?

Hello ppena. I don't understand your concern. If you can do 100k then making it to hells gate is not a problem. If 60M is your farthest distance then the last section from 80M to 100M could be a problem. You have lots of time to train before the ride, so if you could do one or two rides of 80-85 miles before the HHH then you should be able to make it.

When I'm training I never avoid the heat. I train in the heat and I drink plenty. I've been doing it for a long time so I guess my body has adapted.

only if you want to get escorted off the course by police. they are cracking down on "early starters" this year. if you leave early, you interfere with a USAC sanctioned race.