Hotter'N Hell Hundred: Why I Keep Coming Back
Last updated: December 2025
Hotter'N Hell Hundred: Why I Keep Coming Back to This Brutal Texas Ride
If you're a cyclist in Texas — or honestly, anywhere in the United States — you’ve probably heard of the Hotter'N Hell Hundred. This legendary North Texas ride has become a rite of passage for endurance cyclists, and after riding it multiple times over the years, I understand exactly why it keeps pulling us back.
Every August, thousands of cyclists roll into Wichita Falls to take on wind, heat, and distance on the open Texas prairie. Some chase a personal best. Some just hope to survive the heat. All of us come away with stories.
What Makes Hotter'N Hell Different
On paper, Hotter'N Hell is “just” another big organized ride with distances from short family-friendly routes all the way up to the 100-mile century. In reality, it’s a full weekend built around one idea: seeing how far you can push yourself in conditions that do not care about your comfort.
The name isn’t cute marketing. In some years, temperatures push well over 100°F. The pavement radiates heat, the wind feels like a hair dryer, and you learn very quickly whether your hydration and pacing are honest or wishful thinking.
My 110°F Century — and the Pickle Juice Save
Years ago, I rode the full 100-mile century in a year when the temperature climbed into the 110°F range. I felt strong early, settled into a good rhythm, and thought I had it under control.
Then I hit mile 75.
The heat finally caught up with me. My legs started to cramp hard, and every pedal stroke felt like a warning sign. Pride will tell you to push through. Experience will tell you to get help before you end up in the back of an ambulance.
Thankfully, this ride is known for incredible support. I made it to a medical tent, where volunteers handed me a huge dose of pickle juice. It tasted terrible and wonderful at the same time. But it worked. The cramps eased, my legs came back to life, and I got back on the bike and crossed the finish line with one of my best times ever.
That’s Hotter'N Hell in a nutshell: brutal conditions, smart support, and the kind of stubborn joy that keeps you signing up again anyway.
Why I Chose the 50-Miler in 2025
This past year, I went back — but I didn’t do the full century. I rode the 50-mile route instead, the “half-hundred.” It was a different kind of challenge and honestly a lot more enjoyable for where I am right now in my cycling life.
Two big differences from my earlier years:
- The weather was kinder. It never even reached 100°F this year. Still hot, still serious, but not the “furnace on wheels” ride I remembered.
- The pressure was lower. Fifty miles is still a real ride, but it gave me more room to enjoy the event, soak in the atmosphere, and not spend the last 20 miles bargaining with myself just to stay upright.
I finished feeling tired, proud, and a whole lot less wrecked than on that 110°F century. No shame in that at all.
Hydration on the Course: Pit Stops That Actually Work
Hydration matters more than speed at Hotter'N Hell. You can be the strongest rider on your local group ride and still crumble if you don’t stay ahead of the heat.
The good news is that the rest stops on this event are outstanding.
I stopped at about the 25-mile mark this year. It looked like a NASCAR pit lane for cyclists — hundreds of riders rolling in and out, volunteers everywhere, coolers open, bottles being filled nonstop.
As I walked up to refill my bottles, a young person looked at me and said, “Do you want me to hold your bike?” That was new for me. For years, I’ve been the guy leaning my bike against a fence post or laying it gently on the ground — neither of which is ideal with a loaded road bike in a sea of people. Having someone simply hold my bike while I took care of hydration was one of those small details that tells you how well this event is run.
My advice is simple:
- Drink early, drink often, and don’t wait until you feel awful before you start refilling.
- Use every well-stocked rest stop as a chance to cool down, refill bottles, and reset mentally.
- Don’t try to be a hero. The sun always wins in Texas if you ignore it.
The One Non-Negotiable: Your Helmet
You won’t be allowed to ride Hotter'N Hell without a helmet. They’re strict about it, and they should be. But even if there were no rule, a helmet should be non-negotiable for any cyclist, anywhere.
Here’s the part a lot of riders don’t want to hear: if your helmet is five years old or older, it’s time to replace it.
- Foam breaks down over time.
- Sweat, heat, and UV light weaken materials.
- Even minor bumps and drops can compromise protection.
At some point, that helmet on your head stops being real protection and turns into a souvenir. That might sound blunt, but if you’re going to ride in fast, crowded conditions with thousands of cyclists, you owe it to yourself to wear a modern helmet that’s built to manage rotational impacts.
If you’re shopping for a new lid, start here:
MIPS Cycling Helmets (full selection, all price levels)
This one link will pull up a broad range of MIPS-equipped helmets — including models similar to the ones I ride — and lets you choose the fit, style, and budget that works for you.
The Gear That Helps You Survive the Heat
Gear That Keeps You Rolling at Hotter'N Hell
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
1. Modern MIPS Helmet
If you’re riding a big event in Texas heat with thousands of cyclists around you, don’t show up with a tired, sun-baked helmet. A modern MIPS lid is the one piece of gear that is absolutely non-negotiable. My helmet is the Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet. I love it because of the visor, which is important for a long-distance cyclist.
Browse MIPS Cycling Helmets on Amazon
2. Cycling Computer (Speed, Distance, and Pacing)
In a ride like Hotter'N Hell, a cycling computer isn’t a toy — it’s how you keep an honest eye on your speed, distance, and effort. Watching your average speed and mileage helps you avoid going out too hard in the first half and paying for it in the last 20 miles.
See a Selection of Cycling Computers
3. Elete Hydration Drops (My Cramp Insurance)
I’m very straightforward about this: Elete hydration drops are one of my go-to items in the heat. I’ve used them for years, and they’ve helped me avoid cramping on some brutally hot rides, including Hotter'N Hell.
Elete Electrolyte Drops (multiple bottle sizes)
4. Decent Cycling Water Bottles
The event has excellent rest stops, but if your bottles leak, don’t fit right in the cages, or launch at the first cattle guard, you’re going to have a bad day. Stable, easy-squeeze bottles make a bigger difference than most riders think.
What’s Changed: Showers, Hotels, and Crowd Size
Old-school Hotter'N Hell riders still talk about the famous post-ride showers in the hockey arena — cool water, concrete floors, and hundreds of tired cyclists rinsing off after baking in the sun. It was strange, loud, and absolutely unforgettable.
That setup is gone now.
These days, a local church brings in a shower trailer for cyclists. It’s free to use and more cramped than the arena, but after 50 or 100 miles in August, that cool water feels just as good. You step in covered in sweat and salt, come out almost human again, and suddenly life feels pretty decent.
The area around the finish line has changed too. There’s now a giant hotel where we used to park near the hockey arena. The advantage is obvious: more rooms right next to the action. If you like real beds, air conditioning, and the shortest possible walk to the start and finish, that’s a big win but get your reservation early because it fills up fast.
As for the crowd size, it’s still impressive, but it’s different from the pre-pandemic days.
- Before COVID: I remember 10,000+ riders packed into the starting line.
- This past year: I heard the number was closer to about 7,500 riders.
It’s still one of the biggest rides in the country — the start line energy is as loud and chaotic as ever — but you can feel that the numbers have shifted.
Why I Still Camp for Hotter'N Hell
Even with more hotel rooms nearby, I still camp. This year I set up my sleeping space in the back of my truck and used the bed as my campsite.
There’s something about waking up on ride morning already surrounded by cyclists — bikes clinking, coffee brewing, nervous chatter drifting across the lot — that you just can’t get from a traditional hotel room. You’re not just attending an event; you’re living in the middle of it.
For me, that’s part of the tradition now.
Not Just a Ride — A Festival
The Hotter'N Hell Hundred is more than a bike ride. It’s a weekend-long festival packed with energy, events, and chances to connect with other cyclists.
- 🍝 Pre-ride spaghetti dinner – Fuel up and swap stories with other riders.
- 🎸 Live music, vendors, and food trucks – The downtown area buzzes all weekend.
- 🛒 Huge cycling expo – Gear, gadgets, bikes, nutrition — if it exists, it’s probably there.
- 🏁 Criterium races – Fast-paced street racing that’s genuinely fun (and a little terrifying) to watch.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a competitive cyclist or someone who just wants to be part of something big. There’s a place for you here.
Hotter'N Hell Hundred 2026: Dates and Full Schedule
The next big ride is already lined up for Saturday, August 29, 2026, but the experience runs for four days. Here’s the full schedule as currently planned:
Thursday, August 27, 2026 – The First Day of HHH Festivities
- 3:00 PM – Consumer Show opens in the Exhibit Hall of the Multi-Purpose Events Center.
- 3:00 PM – Sports Massage at MPEC.
- 4:00 PM – Packet Pickup and late registration open at the Exhibit Hall.
- 4:00 PM – Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road events registration begins at the Exhibit Hall.
- 8:00 PM – All activities close.
Friday, August 28, 2026 – The Celebration Begins
- 7:00 AM – Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road Mountain Bike registration begins at Bridwell Ag Center.
- 8:00 AM – Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road Mountain Bike trail races begin at Bridwell Ag Center.
- 1:00 PM – Consumer Show opens.
- 1:00 PM – Sports Massage at MPEC to loosen up for the day ahead.
- 2:00 PM – Packet Pickup and registration open in the Exhibit Hall for Ride, Race, Gravel, and Trail Runs.
- 3:00 PM – Corona Premier Finish Line Village opens.
- 4:30 PM – Kids races and Special Olympics Criterium races start at 3rd St and Lamar.
- 5:30 PM – Spaghetti dinner offered by MPEC Food & Hospitality at the west end of the Exhibit Hall.
- 5:30 PM – Rug Rats Mountain Bike registration at Bridwell Ag Center (race at 6:00 PM).
- 5:30 PM – Criterium races begin.
- 8:30 PM – Friday criteriums end.
- 9:00 PM – Spaghetti dinner closes.
- 9:00 PM – Consumer Show and Finish Line Village close.
- 9:00 PM – Registrations and Packet Pickup close.
Saturday, August 29, 2026 – The Heat Is On (Endurance Ride Day)
- 5:00 AM – Breakfast buffet offered by MPEC Food & Hospitality at the west end of the Exhibit Hall.
- 5:30 AM – Packet Pickup and late registration in the Exhibit Hall.
- 5:30 AM – Morning praise and worship at 3rd and Lamar.
- 7:00 AM – Registration for the endurance ride closes.
- 7:05 AM – Flyover.
- 7:05 AM – Cannon blast and the official start of the endurance ride for 100-mile, 75-mile, 100k, 50-mile, 25-mile, and 10k routes (Golden Wheel, tandems, and special groups start at 2nd Street).
- 8:00 AM – Corona Premier Finish Line Village & Food Court open at 2nd and Lamar.
- 8:00 AM – Breakfast closes.
- 9:00 AM – Consumer Show opens.
- 9:00 AM – Sports Massage at the Consumer Show opens.
- 10:15 AM–3:30 PM – Outdoor entertainment at 2nd and Lamar with music by Hatcher.
- 2:00 PM – Consumer Show closes.
- 4:00 PM – Corona Premier Finish Line Village & outdoor entertainment close.
- 6:00 PM–7:00 PM – Grava del Fuego late packet pickup at the start line on the corner of 7th & Indiana.
- 7:05 PM – Wee-Chi-Tah Gravel Grind start and finish at the Wichita Falls Brewing Company, 701 Indiana.
Sunday, August 30, 2026 – Wrapping It All Up
- 7:00 AM – Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road Trail Run, 10k, and Half Marathon distances at Bridwell Ag Center.
If you’ve never ridden Hotter'N Hell before, 2026 is as good a year as any to start. Pick your distance — 100, 75, 50, 25, or one of the off-road or run events — and come see what you’re capable of when the heat is on. Make sure to start training months before because this is not an easy ride.
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