Hotter’N Hell Hundred - Background

I really haven't had time to post anything lately, but I want to give my impressions about the 2006 Hotter'n Hell Hundred, held in Wichita Fall, Tx.

The Hotter’N Hell Hundred is an annual bicycle ride in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is held each year in August and includes professional as well as amateur riders. The professional racers ride a 100-mile road race, as well as time trials and criterium. For the amateur riders, there are road routes of 100 miles, 100K, 50 miles, 25 miles, and 10K. The amateur routes are also open for roller blading.

The race was first held in 1982 as part of the Wichita Falls Centennial Celebration, thus the description: one hundred miles (i.e., century) in one hundred degree plus (Fahrenheit) weather, high winds, and humidity (the race is held in August, which is usually the hottest month of the year in Texas and especially in Wichita Falls), to celebrate the city's 100th anniversary.

Hotter'N Hell Hundred is the largest sanctioned century bicycle ride in the US.

This year's event was the 25th anniversary. Over 11,100 riders out for a 'BRUTAL' Saturday ride, if they intended to do the full 100miles, as my buddy, Dave & I had planned was an amazing site.

During the early part of the ride the rest stops come approximately every 11 miles. During the latter part of the course, ,very wisely, the stops are about five to eight miles apart. So of course our mantra, and the people not wanting us to collapse at 'their' rest stop, was "Only 11 more miles to go"...

Families, beginners & long time riders joined together to prove their "worth" in their minds or "insanity" in the minds of family and friends, which was the case personally.

Hotter’N Hell Hundred - Background

I really haven't had time to post anything lately, but I want to give my impressions about the 2006 Hotter'n Hell Hundred, held in Wichita Fall, Tx.

The Hotter’N Hell Hundred is an annual bicycle ride in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is held each year in August and includes professional as well as amateur riders. The professional racers ride a 100-mile road race, as well as time trials and criterium. For the amateur riders, there are road routes of 100 miles, 100K, 50 miles, 25 miles, and 10K. The amateur routes are also open for roller blading.

The race was first held in 1982 as part of the Wichita Falls Centennial Celebration, thus the description: one hundred miles (i.e., century) in one hundred degree plus (Fahrenheit) weather, high winds, and humidity (the race is held in August, which is usually the hottest month of the year in Texas and especially in Wichita Falls), to celebrate the city's 100th anniversary.

Hotter'N Hell Hundred (HH100) is the largest sanctioned century bicycle ride in the US.

This year's event was the 25th anniversary. Over 11,100 rides out for a 'BRUTAL' if they intended to do the full 100miles, as my buddy, Dave & I had planned.

During the early part of the ride the rest stops come approximately every ten miles. During the latter part of the course, ,very wisely, the stops are about five miles apart. So of course our mantra, and the people not wanting us to collapse at 'their' rest stop, was "Only 11 more miles to go"...

Let me vent a minute about America's freedoms

• 
  
  Some 'civilians' I know were recently discussing how screwed up our county is because of the U.S. military is following the direction of the President of the United States, so I want to vent a few frustrations.
  
  Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out.
  
  It is the Veteran, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.
  
  It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
  
  It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.
  
  It is the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the 'free speech' protester to burn the flag."

SidewaysBike: First New Bicycle in 200 Years?

Sideways Bike on Vimeo

Now this is downright weird. The SidewaysBike's rider sits either sidesaddle or facing toward the front, manipulating controllers that steer the front and back wheels independently. It looks a lot more maneuverable than a conventional bicycle, but we're not sure if it's stable enough to ride alongside the road in traffic.

This strange bike was invented by Michael Killian, who also created the Sideways Scooter.

There's no indication whether either will be commercially available anytime soon.

Demo Page [SidewaysBike]

Tour-Leader Floyd Landis gets a sweet, customized ride.

Tour-Leader Floyd Landis get a sweet, customized ride.

http://www.phonak-cycling.ch

Floyd Landis finished today's stage 15: Gap to L'Alpe d'Huez of the Tour de France and today wears the tour leader’s yellow jersey.

But it isn’t just the jersey that is yellow but also his Pro Machine SLC01.

BMC surprised Landis today with a cutomised bike to reflect his accomplishments over this season, and to fully celebrate should Floyd wins. (He is my pick)

Tour De France Fever

Well it is that time again, and I have fallen of the edge of the earth.

Tour de France is here again, and NO LANCE!!!!

Hoping Phonak's Floyd Landis will win... If for no other reason than he rode in last years "El Tour de Tucson"

Go Floyd!!

Gas prices turn local drivers into bikers

Gas prices turn local drivers into bikers


http://www.bikemetro.com/calculators/cost.asp - With regular unleaded gas prices in the U.S. charging from time to time toward the $3 mark, more people are cutting down their time in vehicles, turning to bicycles as alternative modes of transportation. People all over the country are finding out the bicycle is a better way to go. Calculate the savings you'll see riding your bike!

"Okies" are not as backward as some might think...

Oklahoma Passes Strong New Bike Law

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed a powerful new bicycle law on Friday, May 19, 2005.

The law:
1. Re-defines 'bicycle' for the purposes of the state's vehicle code, eliminating restricting wheel sizes and configurations
2. Eliminates confusing language as to where bicyclists should ride on the road
3. Eliminates the state mandate to ride on sidepaths/sidewalks
4. Eliminates the mandatory side light requirement for bicycles (not reflection)
5. Establishes a minimum safe-passing distance of three feet and sets up fines (in addition to other citations and penalties for manslaughter, improper use of a motor vehicle, etc.) for a motorist who injures or kills a cyclist.

Oklahoma is now the third state to have a safe-passing law and the second to back it up with specific fines. Arizona and Utah are the other states with safe-passing laws, with Arizona having specific fines. Advocates in other states can now use Oklahoma's law for legal precedence to aid them in their work.

The law was passed with the help of a strong push from the Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition.

Are you brave (or daring) enough?

Dateline: Madrid - June 12, 2006

THOUSANDS of nude cyclists pedalled around some of the world's cities this weekend to protest against car-clogged streets and demand greater respect.

With slogans such as "one car less" and "bio methanol" painted on their backs, the naked cyclists staged Spain's third annual Ciclonudista, or "Nudecycle" in Madrid, Barcelona and Pamplona.

The protest was part of worldwide naked bike events on Saturday across Europe, North America and South America. Mexico City and Ottawa also staged big turnouts.

"We feel naked when up against traffic because people don't see the bicycle as just another means of transport," said Madrid cyclist Ramon Linaza.

Towing cardboard cars with gaping jaws, protesters said the rapid rise of car ownership in Spain was turning city streets into ever more hostile and dangerous cycling territory.

Organisers said the bicycle was a healthy and efficient form of transport largely ignored by drivers and city planners.

Naked bike riders brought smiles to Britain on Saturday as World Naked Bike Ride day was marked in cities across Britain to celebrate sustainable transport and the human body.

The London event attracted about 1000 people. Organiser Nick Sayers said: "It brought smiles to Londoners' faces, which you don't often see."

In Brighton, 200 cyclists covered up for fear of being arrested by watchful police. Several got round the no-nudity rule by dressing creatively. Some men wore a sock — but not on their feet.

Mr Sayers said he was planning to make a Freedom of Information request to Sussex Police to find out why they ordered a cover-up.

"It was a celebration of cycling and the human body and a demonstration of the vulnerability of cyclists," he said.

He said the Government should take note of the environmental benefits of cycling because it was a form of transport that was human-powered.

Sussex police said no arrests had been made in Brighton for public nudity.

Several hundred cyclists turned out in Manchester, and about 70 in York.

PA, REUTERS

More Tucson Bicycle Routes

Found some more routes for riding around Tucson. I haven't ridden the' MegaHurtz' rides yet, but the GABA rides are very nice, ride leaders knowledgeable and helpful and the directions are quite accurate.

The MegaHurtz Rides and Maps

33 road rides through and around greater Tucson. Compiled, mapped and documented by Jonathan C. Forster at the University of Arizona. Great resource!

• Visit the MegaHurtz Rides page

GABA Rides and Maps

10 road rides through and around greater Tucson. Compiled by the good folks at GABA. Enjoy.

• Visit the GABA local rides page

Don't know if you have seen this one yet but it is a sweet bike, if you are into status symbols (I'm not)...

The first carbon racing bike from Mercedes-Benz

First posted on April 6, 2006 - Mercedes Benz currently uses carbon fibre in just one of its products – the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the world’s first production car with a bodyshell made entirely of carbon fibre. Carbon fibre is also used extensively in the McLaren Mercedes F1 cars of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya. And later this month a second Mercedes-Benz product will be available that is constructed mainly of carbon fibre – the Carbon Bike, the new flagship human-powered Merc. Thanks to its ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre frame, this US$3665 thoroughbred weighs in at a mere 8.3 kilograms. ..

It is a sad day for bicyclists on Tucson's East side.

The National Park Service begins the job of "rehabilitating" (the NPS term, not mine) the 8.4-mile Cactus Forest Drive at Saguaro National Park – East.

Construction will begin today, May15th, and is estimated to conclude no later than September 30th.

The Cactus Forest Drive and Javelina Picnic Area will be closed to all visitor access, including cars, bicyclists and pedestrians, during the project.

At the same time all trails within the interior of the Cactus Forest Loop Drive, along with the Freeman Homestead Trail, will be closed. The project will include rehabilitation of the asphalt pavement, correction of drainage problems and improving and formalizing roadside parking along Cactus Forest Drive and Javelina Picnic Area. In addition, twelve new wayside interpretive exhibits will be installed.

There is plans to change portions of the trail outright, and re-work some existing area, either way, No more riding the "East Loop" until late this fall....

The NPS website for Saguaro Ease states, "Although there will be a short term loss of recreational opportunity, the project will significantly improve the visitor experience on Cactus Forest Drive in the long term, and will enhance opportunities to experience the beauty and character of our Sonoran Desert. Prior to the project, park crews will salvage numerous ocotillos and cacti of varying species from the road’s edge that would otherwise be impacted by construction activities. Once construction is complete, roadside areas will be rehabilitated and revegatated with native grasses and desert shrubs. Only two saguaro cacti will be impacted, and they will be immediately relocated prior to the start of construction. During the project, trail access from Speedway Boulevard, Broadway Boulevard and Camino Loma Alta will remain open. The park’s Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) will be fully open throughout this construction project. For more information please contact the park’s facility manager, Barney Riley, at (520) 733-5140"

Tour of the Tucson Mountains

I FINISHED!!

Whoa, what a ride... Rode the 74 mile route during today's TTM, and survived. My buddy Dave and I rode personal longest rides. The charity ride winds around and through the mountains on the west side of Tucson. After heads-winds and hills most of the day, I am wiped out.

Dave, Thanks for dragging me around the route (I know, I did my share of dragging at the end)...


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Please add yourself to our Frappr Map by following the link on the "Frappr" button to the right of this entry...

I've been slacking off....

Missed a few weeks of posting due to 'life', but I'm back on the road cycling after healing from my fall...

But I am back riding my bike and looking forward to the upcoming Tour of the Tucson Mountains. Check out the PBAA website for more info on this killer ride.

70 miles will be my longest ride to date on a bicycle, and with missing so much training time, I am just hoping to finish without dying someplace out on the route. More posts and training updates coming soon.

Please add yourself to our Frappr Map by following the link on the "Frappr" button to the right of this entry...

BTW!!! Forgot to congratulate my friends John & Noelle on finally "tying the knot"

Birthday Ride Update

Finished out the week inducting myself into the "road rash" club. Planned to go riding up Mount Lemmon as far as I could go. Instead, I ended up leaving some skin and blood on the road right at the beggining of the ride, laying waste to any plans of riding. Figures...

"Happy Birthday to me...."

Oh well, as I was remindered, "Now is a good time to get that wheel rebuilt".... Thanks John!

Hopefully, it will only keep me off my ride for a week or so...

2006 Birthday Rides

Completed a couple of good rides for my birthday week. Last Saturday took a hard, but rewarding 24 mile ride. Rode out with a few riding buddies from Performance Bikes (east side) heading east on Broadway out to Freeman Road (hell of a climb...) to Old Spanish Trail to the Saguaro East Nation Park. After a rest stop at the pavilion, we headed out to do the "East Loop". After a grueling 'backside', I finally caught up to my fellows, who are MUCH better riders than I am back at the pavilion. Much to my surprise, I was able to hang at a sustained 27 mph push back in OST and posted a best average of 14.4 mph.

Today, I joined a co-worker on a good, but windy 20 mile ride down in Sierra Vista, only to be beat around by a wicked head and cross winds. On the way back after the turn-around, I continued my luck with my crappy wheels. Broken ANOTHER spoke on the rear, and rode the last 7 miles back to the car on another 'wobbly'. But my luck held until a few blocks from the car, when the rear tire finally started going flat. All in All, it was good riding, even with the hills and mechanicals.

Mount Lemmon Ascent

This is a scenic and very challenging (at least for me) road ride out of Tucson. Definitely the local "challenge" spot... If you choose to go all the way to the summit of 9,157ft Mount Lemmon it is a total of 26 miles, with almost 5,000ft of elevation change. The average grade of the ascent is about 5 degrees, with a few 10-12 degree spots.

Views on the climb out are spectacular and well worth the effort!

I will have a link to a map very soon...

Directions: Take Catalina Highway from Tanque Verde Road, on Tucson’s east side, and travel north 4 ½ miles to parking area at National Forest boundary (Milepost 0), 1 mile north of intersection of Snyder Road and Catalina Highway. Catalina Highway eventually becomes Mount Lemmon Highway. Mileage is 26 miles to the top!

Fantasy Island - Mountain Bike Trails

NOTE: You need a State Trust Land Permit to ride this trail.

NOTICE : Fantasy Island is under serious threat to development,
please see www.savefantasyisland.org
to see what you can do to help save this valuable community and
economic asset.

Fantasy Island is a mountain bike playground in Tucson, AZ. It
features over 16 miles of twisty desert singletrack that was built by
mountain bikers for mountain bikers. This map covers all of the many
loops available and has some of the cool features labeled (half-pipe,
over & under, etc).

View Fanatasy Island Map in Jpeg format.

Time for "Winter Training"

It is time for me to start getting ready for the two up-coming rides that I want to enter.

1. The El Tour de Phoenix - April 1, 2006

2. Tour of the Tucson Mountains - April 30, 2006

I am shooting for main event for both events of 70 miles. 3 rides during the week, a mid distance ride Sat. and a long ride Sun - for 12 weeks ... At least I have a goal.. I will keep updating as things go along.

The main runs for training are the "East Loop" found in a earlier post and a sweet run I was turned on to this weekend. Nothing fancy, rolling hills, a few good climbs, and quite a bit of open flats to really roll. The "Camino Loma Alta Loop" takes you on moderate ride futher out the Old Spanish Trail run east of Tucson. 20 miles total - Start at Harisson & Old Sanish Trail - Head East out OST to Camino Loma Alta Road - turn around and head back - Best rest/water spot: The Pavillion at Saguaro East