It's almost here! The 30th Annual Hotter N Hell Hundred weekend is just around the corner.

Because of the exceptionally toasty summer we've had, the steering committee has looked at the way things have been done in the past and made a few changes. The most notable of which is an earlier start time. This will not only help the riders get some miles behind them before the heat of the day, but it may also affect how non-riders in town schedule their Saturday morning drives.

If you were planning on getting up early enough to watch nearly 15,000 cyclists, you'll want to get up a bit earlier. And if your Saturday morning routine has you crossing the ride or race route, you'll also need to start earlier or reroute your trip.

In addition to the long ride on the open road, there are several other great spectator opportunities to take advantage of during this 30th Anniversary event. The Criterium racing is always exciting and runs along a short course in downtown Wichita Falls on Friday evening and Sunday morning. A great place to watch is from the MPEC downtown. While you're there, go ahead and wander through the Consumer Show. Even if you're not a cyclist, you'll see a lot of really interesting things, some of which come in handy even if all you do outside in the summer is mow your lawn.

The off-road events are really beginning to pick up steam, too, with events on Friday and Sunday!

And everyone is welcome to hang out at the MPEC to welcome the riders to the Finish Line on Saturday. You'll find a bustling little Finish Line Village complete with food vendors, drink vendors, even live music from 10am to 4pm.

Here's an abbreviated schedule of what happens when this year. You can see the full schedule on the Hotter N Hell Hundred website.

Schedule of Events - Hotter'N Hell Hundred 2011


Thursday, August 25, 2011:

The first day of HHH festivities

3:00 PM: The Consumer Show opens in the Exhibit Hall of the Multi-Purpose Events Center

4:00 PM: Packet Pickup and late registration open at the Exhibit Hall

8:00 PM: All Activities Close


Friday, August 26, 2011:

THE CELEBRATION BEGINS

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: HHH Science of Cycling Seminar Presentations - MPEC Seminar Rooms

1:00 PM: Consumer Show begins

2:00 PM: Packet Pickup and late registration open in the Exhibit Hall for ride and race participants

3:00 PM Finish Line Village Opens

4:00 PM: Sports Massage at MPEC. Loosen up for the day ahead

5:00 PM: Ultra Criterium for USA Cycling racers begins at the Ultra Finish Line - Watch from MPEC East steps at 3rd & Lamar 5 PM to 8:30 PM

5:00 PM: Wee-Chi-Tah NORBA Mountain Bike Race begins

5:30 PM: Spaghetti Dinner Begins; Served by the North Texas Restaurant Association- MPEC Coliseum Lower Level

7:00 PM: Seminar for Cyclists - Have Your Best Ride MPEC Seminar Room

9:00 PM: Spaghetti Dinner closes

10:00 PM: Consumer Show, Registration, and Packet Pickup Close


Saturday, August 27, 2011:

The Heat is On! The Ride and USAC Road Races Begin.

5:00 AM: Breakfast offered by Monarch Catering; West end of the Exhibit Hall

5:00 AM: Packet Pickup and Late Registration in the Exhibit Hall.

6:15AM: 100 mile route opens for Scorchers, Keepers, & Hopefuls that choose to start early.

6:30 AM: Michelob Ultra USA Cycling Road Races begin

6:45 AM: Pace Groups' scheduled start

7:04 AM: USAF Flyover

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

8:00 AM: Michelob Finish Line Village opens at 5th and Lamar

8:00 AM: Food Court opens North of the Coliseum

9:00 AM: The Consumer Show Opens

9:00 AM: Sports Massage at the finish line opens

10:30 AM: Outdoor Concerts begin at 3rd and Lamar

11:00 AM: Michelob Ultra Road Races finish. Awards by noon

3:00 PM: Consumer Show Closes

4:00 PM: Outdoor Concert closes

7:00 PM: All activities close


Sunday, August 28, 2011:

Time to run / complete the TRIPLE THREAT CHALLENGE

7:00 AM: Off-Road Trail Run: Wee-Chi-Tah Trail Run, Half Marathon, 10k,5k

7:00AM to 2:00PM: Ultra Criterium for USA Cycling Racers begins at the Ultra Finish Line Village

Here's to a successful ride and weekend for everyone, and thanks for sharing the road!

Dave D.

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