Hotter'N Hell Hundred

Name: Hotter'N Hell Hundred
Location: Downtown Wichita Falls; cannon start on 2nd Street at Scott Avenue (104 Scott Ave, Wichita Falls, TX 76301). Packet pickup and expo at the MPEC Exhibit Hall, 1000 5th Street.

2027 date not yet announced as of September 2026. The 2026 edition ran August 27-30 with the endurance ride on Saturday, August 29. The organizer says the ride is held the fourth or fifth Saturday of August, nine days before Labor Day.

What is the Hotter'N Hell Hundred?

The Hotter'N Hell Hundred is a 100-mile road ride held in Wichita Falls, Texas, on the last Saturday of August, with shorter options from 10K to 75 miles plus gravel, mountain bike and trail-run events over a four-day weekend. It started in 1982 as a way to mark the city's centennial: 100 miles in 100-degree heat for 100 years. It is one of the largest single-day century rides in the country; 7,824 people registered in 2026 and the weekend has topped 13,000 in past years. Riders on the 100-mile route must reach Hell's Gate at mile 61 by 12:30 pm.

How the Hotter'N Hell Hundred started

In 1981 the Wichita Falls Board of Commerce and Industry asked for ideas to kick off the city's 1982 centennial. Roby Christie, an assistant postmaster and member of the newly formed Wichita Falls Bicycle Club, proposed a bicycle ride: 100 miles in 100-degree heat to mark 100 years. The name came with the idea.

The first ride was held August 28, 1982. Organizers planned for 500 riders and got 1,203. They ran out of number tags and used paper plates and safety pins for the rest. The event grew quickly from there. Wikipedia records a peak of more than 14,000 participants in 2009, and the organizer reports more than 13,000 registrants for the weekend in 2015 and nearly 12,000 in 2019.

The ride went virtual in 2020 during COVID-19, drew more than 10,000 registrations for its 40th anniversary in 2021, and ran its 45th edition in 2026. The organizer also notes that the CamelBak hydration pack was first used at the 1989 ride. The event now has its own Texas historical marker.

What to expect on the day

The endurance ride starts downtown at 7:05 am with a cannon blast on 2nd Street at Scott Avenue. Packet pickup and a consumer show run at the MPEC Exhibit Hall (1000 5th Street) from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning. Friday brings mountain bike races at the Bridwell Ag Center and criterium races downtown. Saturday evening is the gravel grind from Wichita Falls Brewing Company, and Sunday morning is the off-road trail run.

Rest stops sit roughly every 10 miles, closer together near the end of the 100, with water, electrolytes, bananas, oranges and pickle juice. In 2026 the organizer fielded 19 aid stations and about 50 support (SAG) vehicles. Medical tents are at each rest stop and the finish. The 100-mile route has one hard cutoff: Hell's Gate at mile 61 closes at 12:30 pm, or earlier if the wet-bulb temperature gets dangerous. Riders who miss it are sent onto the 75-mile route through Sheppard Air Force Base. The course closes at 5:30 pm.

Plan for heat. In 2026 the day started at 73 degrees and hit 105 by 4 pm; the 100-mile course was shortened to 75 miles at 11:45 am, about 500 riders needed SAG help and 94 were treated for medical issues. Start early, carry more water than you think you need, and know your own limits.

Weather in Wichita Falls for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred

Late August in Wichita Falls is hot. The August mean daily high is 96.6 F and the mean low 71.5 F; the city averages 28 days a year at or above 100 F. On the 2026 ride day the forecast high was 103 F and the afternoon reached 105 F.

Loading the forecast for Wichita Falls…

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Times are local to Wichita Falls.

The town

Sleep, eat, fix the bike.

Wichita Falls is a city of about 102,000 in North Texas, 15 miles south of the Oklahoma line and about two hours northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. It is an Air Force and college town with a hot, dry summer and flat, open roads. Cyclists know it as home of the Hotter'N Hell Hundred, held downtown the last Saturday of August since 1982.

Most riders drive. From Dallas-Fort Worth it is about 122 miles and a little over two hours up US 287 from DFW airport; from Oklahoma City about 140 miles. Wichita Falls Regional Airport (SPS) is six miles north of town and has American Eagle flights to DFW only. You will want a car; the HHH start, expo hotels and restaurants are spread across downtown and the Kemp Boulevard corridor to the south.

SleepHotels in Wichita Falls6 picks · ask about the bike when you book EatRestaurants in Wichita Falls6 picks, night before and after FixBike shops in Wichita Falls2 shops for repairs

The Wichita Falls town guide →

Hotter'N Hell Hundred FAQ

When is the Hotter'N Hell Hundred?

The last Saturday of August, nine days before Labor Day. The 2026 ride was August 29. The 2027 date had not been posted as of September 2026.

Is there a cutoff on the 100-mile route?

Yes. You must reach Hell's Gate at mile 61 by 12:30 pm. If you miss it, or if the medical director closes the gate early for heat, you are routed onto the 75-mile course.

How much does it cost?

In 2026 the endurance ride was $55 early, $65 regular and $75 late or on-site. Registration is non-refundable.

Where do I pick up my packet?

At the MPEC Exhibit Hall, 1000 5th Street, Thursday 4-8 pm, Friday 2-9 pm or Saturday 5:30-7 am. In-person pickup is preferred.

What time does the ride start?

The cannon fires at about 7:05 am on 2nd Street at Scott Avenue downtown. Most 100-mile riders finish between 5 and 5:30 pm, when the course closes.

How hot does it get?

The August average high is about 97 F. Ride day in 2026 reached 105 F. Rest stops are roughly every 10 miles and the organizer runs about 50 support vehicles.

Facts checked September 15, 2026. Dates and prices come from the organizer and change. Confirm on the official site before you book anything.