Hotter 'N Hell Hundred
Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas
Marker Inscription
An annual 100-mile bicycle ride in 100-degree heat on the roads and highways of the Texoma region, the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred (HHH) first began as a kick-off event for the 1982 centennial celebration of Wichita Falls. The plan was to celebrate the tenacity of the people who settled Texoma, thus the event's motto is 100 miles in 100 degrees to celebrate 100 years. The name stemmed from a comment that the ride would be "Hotter than Hell." Though a bit controversial, the unforgettable name helped to market the ride. The first HHH, set for Saturday, August 28, 1982, was wildly successful with an attendance of 250 volunteers and 1,203 cyclists. The ride had varying routes of 100 mi., 100K, 50 mi., 25 mi., and 10K. The Wichita Falls Bicycle Club conceived of, organized and conducted the Centennial HHH. They have continued running it and expanded its offerings to a four-day event with multiple rides of different categories and a flyover and cannon blast to initiate the ride. Ever focused on health and safety, HHH boasted more than 20 rest stops, 1,000 medical volunteers, and invented Hell's Gate. Located 60 miles from the HHH start, 100-mile riders must reach Hell's Gate by a given time before they are detoured to the shorter 100K route, thus limiting heat-related issues. Over the years, HHH has consistently proven its popularity with thousands of participants, as up to 4,000 volunteers and 13,067 cyclists registered in 2010 alone. In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature passed House Resolution 1784 to commemorate HHH attracting more than 300,000 cyclists in its first three decades. HHH has helped to bring in millions each year to the local economy as well as donating to non-profit groups. With its warm hospitality soothing the strain of its rather inhospitable weather, HHH has become one of the classic cycling events in the nation. (2017)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Hotter 'N Hell Hundred began in 1982 as the kickoff to Wichita Falls' centennial, built around an irresistible pitch: 100 miles in 100 degrees to celebrate 100 years. Organized by the Wichita Falls Bicycle Club and named from an offhand joke that the ride would be 'hotter than hell,' the first event drew more than 1,200 riders and hundreds of volunteers. Over the decades it grew into a multi-day festival with thousands of cyclists, its famous 'Hell's Gate' cutoff, and formal recognition from the Texas Legislature.
Why it matters
The ride shows how a single civic centennial event can grow into an enduring regional tradition that celebrates the endurance of the people who settled Texoma.
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Related events
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