I thought the 100 miles and the scorching 100+ degree heat would be my biggest concerns, but I was wrong. The annual Hotter’N Hell 100 mile bike ride has one aspect that needs fixing.
For those who don't know, I usually write about "music, comedy, and more," so this falls under the "more" category, haha!
I've heard about this bicycle ride for ages, always saying I'd tackle it "someday," without ever setting a date. I'm 38 now, and despite being athletic through my 20s, I let myself go in my 30s.
I decided it was time to change things in 2021 when some friends and I, all rocking Dad bods, formed the Juicy Joggers and conquered our first Dallas marathon. From there, I took on the Ft. Worth Cowtown marathon.
Having done the Dallas and Ft. Worth marathons two years running, and I became enamored with endurance events. Granted, I wasn't setting any records, but I felt accomplished regardless.
So, when I randomly recalled the Hotter’N Hell 100 mile bike ride on my bucket list, I realized it was time to give it a shot.
I stumbled upon an 8-week training plan online for a century ride, joined the HH100 Facebook group for pointers, and off I went! Before I knew it, the big day arrived, and there I was, poised at the starting line for my inaugural Hotter’N Hell 100!
The weather at 7 am was glorious as the military flyover signaled the ride's start. My overall impression of Wichita Falls' atmosphere was how friendly both locals and other out-of-towners were. Everyone was genuinely excited to be there, showing lots of kindness and welcoming vibes.
Once the pedaling began, I was a bit unsure what to expect. It was the largest biking crowd I'd ever been in. On one hand, riding in a peloton was exhilarating, providing a wind break and making the ride smoother.
On the other hand, it required a heightened focus to avoid wobbling and causing crashes. Still, most riders were supportive, helping me grasp group riding etiquette.
As the group spread out and the miles passed by, I decided to hit one of the rest stops. I’m not sure what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised by the organization and assistance from the Hotter’N Hell team.
I've completed 4 marathons previously, each with water, Gatorade, and friendly volunteers at rest stops. However, the scale here was unmatched. Every stop featured a spacious tent with a crew handing out everything from water and electrolyte drinks to pickles, oranges, sandwiches, hot dogs and more.
Shaded chairs with fans and ice-cold cloths were available, with folks constantly circulating to top up water. Some stops even had water misters and foot ice baths. What more could you ask for?!?
After enduring over 7 hours of scorching heat, I crossed the finish line, sporting an accomplished grin. The event surpassed my expectations, and I'm determined to make it an annual tradition.
So, what's the catch? I thought I said something needed changing. Was this all a ploy to brag about finishing a 100-mile ride to strangers? …Maybe.
But seriously, one glaring issue bothered me throughout this event: the litter left behind by participants on the picturesque country roads of Wichita Falls and the neighboring towns that generously hosted our ride.
For those unfamiliar with endurance events, it's common to carry gel packs or snacks to refuel. Proper nutrition is key, and participants are usually responsible for bringing their own.
As I rode, I noticed water bottles and empty gel packs strewn on the ground. While some bottles might have fallen off bikes or slipped from hands, why weren't they picked up? Empty gel packs seemed deliberately discarded rather than accidentally dropped. Regardless, why leave them?
I rode alongside someone who tore open a gel pack with his teeth, spit the plastic, chugged the gel, and flung the wrapper behind him. It was disheartening.
As much as I enjoy these endurance challenges, it's a reality that I'm far from being an elite contender. In fact, the vast majority of participants in these events aren't career athletes either. These rides are all about having a good time, boosting our self-esteem through personal accomplishments, and realizing our capacity to conquer challenges.
There's truly no valid excuse for not taking an extra moment to tuck your trash away until you come across a trash can at the next rest stop or turning around to pick up that water bottle you dropped.
Your life and livelihood aren't hanging in the balance due to this race. It's not your ticket to the Olympics or the Tour De France, and our sponsors aren't on the verge of letting you go due to a subpar performance.
If you happen to fall into any of these categories, then it's on you to organize a support team to trail behind you, tidying up your discards along the way.
Our desire to feed our egos with speedy finish times doesn't legitimize littering in the towns kind enough to close their roads for our ride and inconvenience their residents.
Imagine if you owned a home along the route and strolled down your driveway after the event only to find discarded trash. You wouldn't exactly be thrilled to welcome the event back next year.
To be fair, I'm not solely pointing fingers at Hotter’N Hell participants. I observed similar issues at both the BMW Dallas Marathon and the Cowtown Ft. Worth Marathon.
There seems to be a peculiar shift that occurs in participants' behavior as they cross the starting line, a unique justification for leaving their trash by the roadside. Whether this stems from genuine apathy or the belief that someone else will clean up after them remains uncertain. However, my stance remains consistent.
Even if you're a professional whose livelihood hinges on this outcome, make arrangements for a cleanup team to follow your trail. Otherwise, pick up your trash or hold on to it until you come across a trash can.
As I’m writing this, I’m reminded of a viral clip from the FIFA World Cup of Japanese fans cleaning up after a game. The stadium had its own cleaning crew, yet these fans felt compelled to tidy up their space rather than pass the responsibility to others.
This is the mindset I want to adopt, and I encourage my fellow endurance athletes to do the same. Instead of assuming someone else will take care of our mess, let's leave these towns as pristine as we found them. After all, they generously host us in their space, and it's only right to show the respect they deserve and ensure we're always welcome back.
Travis Wright is the host of the “I’m a fan of…” podcast. If you enjoy music and comedy, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out the You Tube Channel. Thanks!
I had planned on riding the HHH100 this year 2023 but, was unable to make it this year. So I rode in a local century the same day. THE BLUEGRASS CENTURY in Owensboro Ky. I was happy to see that the 300 riders in this event did keep their trash on them until the next rest stop and did not rely on the event volunteers to police up the trash in the rest stops and along the route.