Story and photo by Darl DeVault, contibuting editor
August’s cycling mega event, Hotter’N Hell Hundred (HHH), named the nation’s best road cycling event in America last year, allows seniors to explore their new Electric bicycles’ capacity for extended fun. Wichita Falls event organizers are happy to provide them equal access, only asking them to be careful.
Long-time HHH organizer Chip Filer says they do not mention e-bikes in their extensive documentation of the ride. The event invites their owners to participate with the caution that he expects those riders to be careful at the start and around the rest stops. He warns seniors not to let their powerful e-bikes slip out of control.
“With our aging population we are open here at Hotter’N Hell to accommodating cyclists who are switching over to e-bikes,” Filer said in a phone interview. “Again, we just need them to realize those e-bikes can present control problems if the riders are not vigilant.”
Since the Southwest has experienced hotter-than-usual temperatures in June, the Hotter ‘N Hell 100 on August 23 in Wichita Falls, Texas, may see temperatures exceed its namesake. The main event sees more than 10,000 riders that Saturday, while the inspiring and challenging bicycle events span four days from August 21st to the 24th. Named the USA Today Readers’ Choice for Best Road Cycling Event for 2024, this year the 44th-anniversary HHH was only second in the voting.
For the e-bike crowd, the event offers the most robust set of offerings in America. Most importantly, the four-day extravaganza of cycling is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from OKC. The driving distance to Wichita Falls is 140 miles using I-44 through Lawton.
Many seniors have found that the surging-in-demand e-bikes are great for allowing them to ride more and farther than they usually do. “Bicycling Magazine” rates 16 of them for their performance, value and ride quality in their June issue. Readers can observe how seniors are turning to cycling more with the help of a little electricity and a significant amount of money.
As the largest mid-summer century ride in the nation, the HHH is not just a ride; it’s a unique spectacle that fosters a strong sense of cycling camaraderie. Participants, united by their love for cycling, brave the August heat in one of the best-supported bicycle rides, attracting over 13,000 riders and sometimes even more for the full four-day extravaganza.
Electric pedal-assist motors reduce the physical effort required to ride and are surging in popularity, making the sport less physically demanding while still offering fresh air and fun for the careful rider.
With e-bikes now more accessible than ever, riders of all fitness levels can enjoy the freedom, confidence, and pure joy of cycling. They offer a way to celebrate a shared passion for cycling as a testament to the strength of the cycling community.
Seniors are buying high-end and fully enclosed gearbox units—like internally geared hubs except mounted at the bottom bracket. This means the bikes do not initially appear to be e-bikes.
The four-day HHH event is a vibrant hub of activity, with more than 100 committee members and over a thousand volunteers working tirelessly to ensure a seniors’ experience is unforgettable. From the largest bicycle consumer show, featuring 50 booths showcasing the latest innovations and major manufacturers, to the myriad of other attractions, including a spaghetti dinner and a pre-ride breakfast buffet, there’s something for everyone.
The HHH website Hotter’N Hell offers plenty of info to help riders plan their adventure and make the most of their time at the event. The HHH stands out for its unwavering commitment to safety and support, making it our country’s most robust century ride. They execute a comprehensive safety plan, including medical support and Support and Gear (SAG) assistance throughout the courses.
The 32-page Official HHH guide, available on the website, shares information that allows riders to focus on the ride and the fun, knowing they are well taken care of in any emergency. The event also offers shorter-mile courses with spacious rest stops for safety and comfort.
Don’t let the 100 miles in the event name
intimidate you. Several Oklahoma City seniors have done the 100 K ride on their E bikes and found it so much fun that they are planning on doing the same this year.
The ride is designed to be inclusive, offering shorter-mileage courses with spacious rest stops for safety and comfort. You will be welcomed with open arms, regardless of your experience level or age.
The event provides tent camping nearby, where riders stay in tents the Friday night beforehand. The Kay Yeager Coliseum has showers near the start/finish area for riders to use before heading home. This convenient option helps riders feel fully immersed in the experience, thanks to well-maintained facilities.
Whether they are a seasoned pro or a young enthusiast, there’s a distance for everyone — from the challenging 100-mile route to the 10 K and 25-mile options for younger riders. This is not just a ride; it’s a journey of personal achievement and camaraderie, where riders can push their limits and discover new strengths, earning a profound sense of empowerment and accomplishment.
Beginning Saturday at 7 a.m., cyclists of all ages and experience levels can embark on the classic HHH endurance ride of many distances.
The start of the ride is a highly anticipated event, staged with those riding the longest distances at the front. For some people, the start is a party where they line up and meet with friends, beginning as early as 5 a.m. for the 7 a.m. start. This early start time allows participants to beat the heat and enjoy the ride at their own pace.
The start is lively and exciting, with the National Anthem, a U.S. Air Force Fly Over, and a cannon blast marking the riders’ beginning on journeys of 10K – 25-mile – 50-mile – 100K – 75-mile and 100-mile rides.
For those riding the middle distances, the start is just as exciting. Many say to experience the excitement of starting a major organized ride, the best place to see it is at the HHH.
No matter how far seniors ride, it is about the camaraderie of riding along with thousands of other bicyclists who enjoy their lifelong sport. Cycling offers a tremendous health benefit without the overuse injuries associated with many other endurance sports.
