Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred August 25-28, 2011

The Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred is now the largest single day 100 mile bicycle ride in the nation, quite possibly the world. In 2010 more than 14,000 registrants participated in the Hotter’N Hell Hundred weekend events.

Fitness oriented riders and bicycle racers travel to  Wichita Falls, Texas, from virtually every state in the USA and several foreign countries. The USA Cycling Road Race is Saturday August 27, 2011 with USA Cycling Criterium racing on Friday and Sunday. The HHH will continue to offer an off-road mountain bike race on Friday August 26, 2011 and a trail run on Sunday August 28, 2011 as well.

Get the information you need to compete, attend, be a medic or support person at the HH website.

Note: the temperatures in Wichita Falls for most of this week are forecast to be 110 degrees F. This is not a fun run or bike ride.  Make sure you are in shape for this strenuous event.  There will be medical, mechanical and rest stops along the route.

Schedule of Events – Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred

Thursday, August 25, 2011: Registration and Consumer Show

3 PM: Consumer Show opens in the Exhibit Hall of the Multi-Purpose Events Center

4 PM: Packet Pickup and late registration open at the Exhibit Hall

4 PM: USA Cycling registration begins in the Exhibit Hall

4 PM: Wee-Chi-Tah Off Road Events Registration opens in the Exhibit Hall

8 PM: All Activities Close

Friday, August 26, 2011:  CELEBRATION BEGINS

10 AM – 3 PM: HHH Science of Cycling Seminar Presentations-MPEC Seminar Rooms

1 PM: Consumer Show begins

2 PM: Packet Pickup and late registration open in the Exhibit Hall for ride and race participants

2 PM: Wee-Chi-Tah Off Road Events Registration opens in the Exhibit Hall

3 PM Finish Line Village Opens

4 PM: Sports Massage at MPEC

5 PM-830 PM: Ultra Criterium for USA Cycling racers at the Ultra Finish Line – Vantage point to watch is MPEC East steps at 3rd & Lamar

5 PM: Wee-Chi-Tah NORBA Mountain Bike Race begins

5-9 PM: Spaghetti Dinner Begins;  Served by the North Texas Restaurant Association- MPEC Coliseum Lower Level

7 PM: Seminar for Cyclists – Have Your Best Ride-MPEC Seminar Room

10 PM: Consumer Show, Registration, and Packet Pickup Close

Saturday, August 27, 2011:  Ride and USAC Road Races.

5 AM: Breakfast offered by Monarch Catering; West end of the Exhibit Hall

5 AM: Packet Pickup and Late Registration in the Exhibit Hall.   USA Cycling racers - no registration

615 AM: 100 mile route opens for those that choose to start early.

630 AM: Michelob Ultra USA Cycling Road Races begin

645 AM: Pace Groups’ scheduled start

7 AM: Registration for the ride closes

704 AM:  USAF Flyover

7:04 AM: Canon Blast and the Endurance Ride Officially starts

8 AM: Michelob Finish Line Village opens at 5^th and Lamar

8 AM: Food Court opens North of the Coliseum

9 AM-3 PM: The Consumer Show Opens

9 AM: Sports Massage at the finish line opens

1030 AM-4 PM: Outdoor Concert at 3rd  and Lamar

11 AM:  Michelob Ultra Road Races finish.  Awards by noon

7 PM: All activities close

Sunday, August 28, 2011:  TRIPLE THREAT CHALLENGE

7 AM: Off-Road Trail Run: Wee-Chi-Tah Trail Run, Half Marathon, 10-K  and 13-mile

7 AM-2 M: Ultra Criterium for USA Cycling Racers begins at the Ultra Finish Line Village

RV and Tent Camping

Note:  Burn Ban in effect for most of Texas.  Mosquitoes are troublesome this time of year. Dress accordingly and use the repellent of your choice.

MPEC (event site) has several hundred Recreational Vehicle (RV) sites with water and electricity.  There is a dump station on site. The cost is $17 per night. 940-716-5500.

Bridwell Ag Center is just across the river from HHH Registration and Consumer Show. Campers may set their tents on the lower bank of the river or adjacent to the Ag Center. Cold showers are available at the Ag Center as well as toilet facilities. No reservations are necessary, and the cost is free.

Lake Arrowhead State Park is home to a Black-tailed Prairie Dog Town.  Waterfowl and wading birds are also a common site. Popular fish include crappie, perch, catfish, and bass. For camping, primitive, campsites with water, campsites with electric and water and equestrian campsites with electric and water are available. For Hotter ‘n Hell,, 44 campsites with water were added. These are picnic sites with water every 3 to 4 sites. Park near site; each site has a picnic table: $8 per night and may be reserved only through the park.  Call, fax or use the online reservation website: Lake Arrowhead reservation website.

There are hotels and B&Bs  available, check out the webpage on the HH site.  Other RV Parks are listed on this page.

The Texas Water Safari, which was postponed in June because of the flooding of the lower Guadalupe River has been rescheduled to July 10. If another rain event occurs, the race will be postponed to July 24. If the river is flooding on July 24, the 2010 Texas Water Safari will not be rescheduled.

Photograph from Texas Water Safari website–all right reserved.

Texas Water Safari,
the world’s toughest canoe race:
260 Miles, 100 Hours, July in Texas

Since 1963, thousands of canoeists have started the 260+ mile race. The course of the Texas Water Safari (TWS) begins in the headwaters of the San Marcos River, flows past the confluence of the San Marcos and Blanco Rivers to the convergence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, and then follows the length of the Guadalupe River to the Gulf coast.

Texas Windfest

April 16-19

Portland Community Center, 2000  Billy G. Webb Drive, Portland, Texas

Saturday morning the annual Windfest Parade will wind through the heart of Portland with jugglers, floats, marching bands and, dancers. Live music fills the air from the entertainment pavilion. Clown shows, Wild West shoot outs and magic shows will entertain you.. Follow your nose to the annual Windfest cook-off to taste chili, ribs and beans. Sunday at noon registration for the annual Windfest Dachshund Dash costume and race contest opens.

Texas Sandfest

April 17-19

Port Aransas, Texas

Sandfest is the largest Master Sand Sculpting Competition in the US! This year, 28 Master Sculptors and 200 amateur sculptors will compete in five different competitions, spanning three days.  Over 100K attended last year.

International Boat Show

April 23-26

Corpus Christi Marina, Shoreline Blvd.,Corpus Christi, Texas

People’s Street T-Head is host to a large boat show and wakeboard and wakeskate event.

71st Annual Buc Days Festival

April 23-May 3

Corpus Christi Bayfront, Corpus Christi

Buc Days begins when the Pirate Queens sail into the Yacht Basin and kidnap the mayor. The mayor surrenders the city and the pirates raise their flag. Buc Days includes illuminated night parade, PRCA Pro rodeo, BBQ challenge, Folklorico competition, carnival, Music and Fire on the Bay, 5k Run, live music.