Prepare this fall for a hot event next summer
By Bonny Osterhage
Next summer when temperatures soar outside once again, it will be time for the 28th Annual Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, Texas. Right now, while the weather is cool this fall, you may want to plan ahead to prepare for this great cycling event. Deemed one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation, the HHH draws people from all over the United States and around the world.
Voted the “Best in Texas” by Competitor Magazine four years in a row, what keeps the more than 10,000 people coming back to brave the Texas wind, sun and searing temperatures is the variety and the fact that there is something for every level from the fitness rider to the cycle racer.
The 100 mile endurance ride is a rolling route with long inclines and incessant wind. It is broken down into routes that range from 10 K for those people who don’t ride on a regular basis all the way up to the 100 mile journey for those who are in it for the long haul. Riders who chose to tackle the 100 mile route must take into account Hell’s Gate, which is located at the 60.3 mile mark and normally closes at 12:30 p.m. Riders arriving after closing time will be directed to a shorter route that ends at 84 miles.
All along the routes are volunteer-manned rest stops. Here riders can get supplies or sit and rest in the shade or under a tent. Each of the 17 rest stops has a team of doctor-led medical personnel and, since the rest stops are located at approximately 10 mile intervals, medical attention is never far away.
In addition to the endurance ride there is a ten mile off-road single track made up of short, quick climbs and drops to challenge the off-road cyclist as well as an off-road race and trail run.For those who want to come early, HHH is preceded by the USA Cycling Criterium and the HHH consumer Expo. While this all seems like something so far off, a time from now, it’s never too early to start training. For more information on this event, visit www.hh100.org and get ready to burn up.
