Wichita Falls, TX- Hotter N Hell Hundred?

[denda]

It's a month away!
This will be our 4th.
Anyone else doing it this year?
We will be staying with a Host Family again this year. It worked out good last year, so we thought we would try it again.

[li10up]

I plan on going again this year. I just finished my longest ride of the year - 71 miles at the Goatneck in Cleburne, TX. Hope I'm ready for the HHH. I also hope my luck is better and I don't have a blow-out this year.

[Tiffany]

I'm going this year - it will be the first time riding HHH - but I've done several (probably 10 or more) century rides already. I'm looking forward to the challenge!

[amelia05]

I'm planning to be there, doing the 100k cat 4 race. I have a feeling that about 30 miles in, I'll be wishing I opted for the non-competitive ride instead. :)

[PscyclePath]

Got the packet in the mail yesterday... I'm #453, out there somewheres in the "Hell's Gate Keepers"...

Tom

[Aggie_Ama]

Okay, someone enlighten me what is it that makes this ride so special? Is it the number of people because if so I have been there, done that twice with the MS150 and 13,000 of my closest friends.

Is it the scenery? I think of that area as a pretty boring place to ride but then again I have never been there. Is it 110 degree weather? Is it a chance to live to tell?

I have heard the support is awesome but no one has been able to convince me that is worth the suffering. I don't mind suffering, we are planning to do the Pineywoods Purgatory and I drug myself around the Enchanted Circle and Fort Davis. But those are all beautiful areas to suffer.

I am not trying to sound like a total negative sour puss (which I know it does), my husband and I just have never wanted to do this ride. Everyone we know who has done it tells us you HAVE to do it at least once and we are completely clueless as to why? It is a long drive from central Texas to do this ride. What am I missing? This ride has a legendary reputation so there is no disputing there is a reason people do it.

[Righteousbabe]

I am doing it again this year. I have lost track, but this may be my sixth year. And honestly, I have no idea why. :o I know that sounds ridiculous...but the last couple years I have said "this will be my last year," and then I register again. It is definitely not the scenery. It is flat, and dry with old oil wells dotting the landscape. And really...the support is not all that great. One year at HHH, my rear derailleur broke, and I waited for an hour and a half for a SAG to come by.

The one thing I do think is nice about HHH is it seems a majority of the town comes out to support the cyclists. This ride pumps a lot of money into the Wichita Falls economy, and the town seems to appreciate that. And there is the camaraderie aspect to it. Thousands of cyclist taking over a small Texas town and hanging out at the Expo. But I think the main reason why people do it is the chance to say they rode 100 miles in extreme heat....like you said, "to live and tell." I guess the ride has become legend because of the summertime temperatures in Wichita Falls, and I have to say I find that amusing. Out of the 5 years I have done it, only one of them the temperature got above 100 (2006). It was brutal, and I can say I finished it...but really what does that get me?

If you live in Texas, you almost feel obligated to do the ride because it seems everyone is doing it. I have already started saying "this is my last year to do HHH." Let's hope I stick to it :)

[PscyclePath]

Out of the 5 years I have done it, only one of them the temperature got above 100 (2006). It was brutal, and I can say I finished it...but really what does that get me?


At least they're up front about it on the events web site ;-)



People ask what you get when you register for the HHH. It is a grueling day in the sun so what does a rider get besides sore muscles, tired posterior, sense of accomplishment and several hours of pure cycling madness? There is no answer that fits all. Riders pit themselves against the road and elements for different reasons.

Last year was my first time at the HHH (http://capitalguards.yuku.com/topic/364/t/AAR-Miles-and-Miles-of-Texas.html), as well as my first century ride. At first, it was the challenge of riding a hundred miles at one whack, especially at an event that calls itself what it does. At first it was the idea of toeing the line with 10,000 other riders, and the energy that seems to pull the pack along for the first thirty miles or so. After the cookie stop at Electra, things thinned out a lot, and it was just you and your bike, against miles of Texas chipseal.

I never can figure out why some folks want to go run marathons in commemoration of some Greek dude who did it a couple of thousand years ago (and it killed him...) Maybe it's the same sort of whacked-out craziness of a little town in Texas turning itself over to the bikes for a weekend...

[denda]

We do it because we have fun! That's the only reason I need.

[denda]

We have also done Enchanted Circle. I did not like it as much as HHH.

[TxDoc]

I would love to go, but I'll be on-call... :(

[KSH]

I am not trying to sound like a total negative sour puss (which I know it does), my husband and I just have never wanted to do this ride. Everyone we know who has done it tells us you HAVE to do it at least once and we are completely clueless as to why? It is a long drive from central Texas to do this ride. What am I missing? This ride has a legendary reputation so there is no disputing there is a reason people do it.

Eh, I just think it's one of those things that cyclists look at as "you did THAT ride"... and thus it just seems like "a must do before you die".

You hit it all really spot on. Boring scenery. Really hot weather. Miles of chip seal. Oh, and you get charged way too much for a crap-tastic hotel room... which you have to book for 2 days minimum.

Really it's just hot. And it's kind of a badge of honor to say you did a 100 miles at that rally, because it's so miserably hot. Although, I ride in Dallas, TX and it's pretty darn hot here as well.

I did it once and it was fun riding with a lady I met from TE... but I haven't been able to justify the cost ever since. It's easily a $300 weekend with gas, hotel and eating out. Kind of hard to justify that cost for a bike rally that's 2.5 hours from my house.

[denda]

You don't have to stay in high dollar motel rooms. We stay with the Host Families. It doesn't cost anything and you meet some really nice people.

[KSH]

You don't have to stay in high dollar motel rooms. We stay with the Host Families. It doesn't cost anything and you meet some really nice people.

I have heard that works for a lot of people. I know for me, I just don't feel comfortable staying in a strangers home. I would have having to worry about when to take a shower, if I was staying up too late, if it was OK to watch TV, etc.

But I know it works well for a lot of people.

Otherwise, here is my experience with the hotel I stayed at back in 2006:


As I am checking-in, I get into a discussion with the front desk as they are tellling me I MUST pay for 2 nights. I let them know that I was NEVER told about the 2-night minimum and they tell me that they sent the information to Marvin Parker (who I got the room from, but I did call the hotel and switch the reservation in my name but they apparently didn't take down my information!). So, after going back and forth, they finally agree to charge me for one night at $109 instead of $89. Fine.

8-26-06/Saturday-

OH! 5:15 AM comes too quick! Diane packed up and headed out, while I hit the breakfeast in the front office. After I was full, I proceeded to check out.

The manager (I spoke with his wife the day before), tries to charge me for 2 nights. I emphasize I was told the day before I would be charged for 1 night. He says he REFUSES to let me only pay for one night and I MUST pay for 2 nights. We keep going round and round. I get so pissed off, I start to SHAKE in anger.

I then stomp out to my car and I grab my cell phone... go back inside and call the local police. At that point, the manager realized I was SERIOUS about NOT paying for 2 nights and he calls upstairs to find out that I was told I would only pay for 1 night. Then, and only then do I get charged for 1 night.

Moral of the story: Never stay at the Ramada Inn Limited in WF, TX!

[Aggie_Ama]

Well since I like pretty sites if I am going to suffer, have a native central Texas bias against all things West Texas and haven't yet decided I care enough about saying I have done it once to sign up, I guess I can say I am okay with never having done this ride. I have done several centuries and I can say the boring, ugly one I did was the absolute worst. It was also my first and the only reason I look back on it fondly.

I can see the allure, it just doesn't suit me and that is reason enough not to spend $400+ (remember gas from here would be high!) to say I have done it. ;) I have wondered if my impression was off though.

Oh and I also wouldn't want to stay with strangers, that is just me too.

I do enjoy reading your ride reports, so everyone tell us about it!

[li10up]

I know for me it is the sheer number of people and the support from the town...and the challenge. Most rides have a few hundred to a couple of thousand riders...but 11,000 riders all massed at the start is something you gotta see and a must ride at some time...whether it's the HHH or some other ride. I think the support on this ride is fantastic! Our club has about 20 riders that go and we all hang out and go out to eat together...it's just an atmosphere of fun and good times. Plus it's not just a show up, ride, and go home type ride. It kind of has the feel of a ski resort...only MUCH hotter. There are a lot of tours that don't even offer a 100 mile route option. Can't wait til August 23rd!

[crazybikinchic]

What I liked about it was that people all along the route would sit outside to watch. Several people themselves, or their children, had their waterhoses going so that you could ride through it if you chose. For me, it was something that I had read about when I first started cycling and had always wanted to do. I am not going this year due to school commitments. I do, however plan on going next year after I graduate.

[kenyonchris]

I'm doing it...the metric hundred for me, the hundred miles for husband. We pack up the bikes, hook up the pop up trailer, and camp in the state park about 20 minutes away. It is cheap and easy. I didn't ride last year because I was recovering from a stroke I had in January and had just gotten the go ahead to get back on the bike again, but I went to root for husband. I really didn't get to riding in full stride again till this spring, but I feel fit and ready now.
I am actually most nervous about the start. It is WALL TO WALL people of all biking abilities, shapes and sizes. Anything can happen. Last year I watched the beginning and watched lots of stupid crashes.
After the ride, husband and I brave the wait at the steakhouse near the start (I can't remember the name)...but I do remember a hideous wait that was well worth it!! And since both of us have been abstaining from beer for the last few weeks, a cold, cold beer in a frosty mug will also be in order.
See ya'll there!

[TexasMermaid]

Planning to be there with 3 boot camp buds - a girl power weekend! We're going to do the 50 as only one of us has done enough time in the saddle to attempt the 100. We're just looking forward to the excitement of the event, riding together, and the unusually low fore-casted temps! Should be awesome this year.

I'm planning to wear an Amici Veloci jersey, so stop me and say 'howdy' if you see me!
~ Jennifer