Favorite organized rides in your area?

[texascyclist]

I have to second The Hotter 'n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, TX. Although I have not ridden it yet either, which I will this year, my DH has. I went with him last year and actually there were close to 12,000 participants. It was an amazing site. Taken from the local newspaper......[The 25th anniversary cycling event on Aug. 26, 2006, The Hotter 'n Hell Hundred, is one of the oldest and largest events in the United States and this year attracted 11,806 bicycle riders and racers.]

The Hotter n Hell is extremely well organized and the rest stops are out of this world, with each having their own theme, doctors and repair area. It's a whole weekend of fun.

I copied this from the website......Several things happen during the Hotter'N Hell weekend. The activities that comprise the HHH are: Registration, Consumer Show, Spaghetti Dinner, USCF Criterium Race, USCF Road Race, the Hotter'N Hell Hundred Endurance Ride , an Off-Road bicycle race, off road trail run along with entertainment food and fellowship at the Finish line Village. In other words HHH is not just one day it is at least 3 days of challenging and inspiring activities.

Endurance cyclists will face wind and heat with the help of 4000 event volunteers on routes up to 100 miles. The Hotter'N Hell Hundred route is rolling with some long inclines accentuated by incessant wind. With the huge consumer products show, off road mountain biking and USCF Races over the weekend, the Hotter'N Hell offers an awesome start and the greatest weekend on two wheels. If you are going to ride 100 miles, the best place to do it is at the Hotter'N Hell Hundred!

It was the fear from the amount of participants that kept me from actually riding in it myself. But after going with my DH and experiencing all the excitement and fun first-hand.....and meeting so many people who love to ride, I will definetly not miss out this year.