Here's David Sloan's account of this year's Hotter 'N Hell ride...
It's pitch black dark with only a few street lights illuminating the scene. It's so dark you cannot read the numbers on your bicycle computer to be sure your are re-setting the right things and not changing from MPH to Km/H. You are NOT alone, in fact there is a gathering of more than 10,000 bicycles and their riders and it is filling up every space on the street for blocks and blocks behind the start line as the night turns into daylight. Velo Valero friends and team mates are nearby to share the moment with Pyro Pete - the guardian of Hell's Gate standing by, U S Air Force fighter jets flying over in a finger four formation, and then the cannon goes off - B O O M !!! We were a couple of blocks away and could feel the concussion! After the start, it was a literal river of cyclists on the road for at least the next 30 miles!
David Sloan (right) with Darryl and Chase at the starting line. For more photos, click here.
Andrea, Chase, Darryl, and I started together with PJ, Donna, Ken, and Paige nearby. We saw riders from McKee and other Velo Valero team mates from the Houston area including Bill Garner, who I first met two years ago during the MS-150, and whose picture is prominent in the photo that graces the tailgate of our MS-150 trucks.
By the time we were over the bridge just after the start, I had lost track of every other Valero rider in the crowd. That was OK since I was pointing for the 100K ride and they were all doing the 100 miles. I was with a group that was going 18 - 21 MPH and I was feeling good, so I stayed with them for most of the first 20 miles before I stopped for my first break. The sight of thousands of colorful cyclists as far as you can see ahead of you when you crest a rise is just awesome! That will be one of my many vivid memories of this year's HHH. Coming out of the rest stop, I joined up with a couple of riders that were up from Stephenville and we stayed together at a pace of 17 - 19 until I had a flat just as we were entering the area of the 40 mile rest stop. After that, I was pretty much on my own until I caught up with Stella and we rode together for a mile or so. I think we were the only Velo Valerians on the 100 K route. That wind and long uphill grade on the IH-44 access road is a real killer, and for a change, I was actually passing other riders on that stretch. I saw Stella again as I was leaving the 50 mile rest stop and heading for home.
One of the highlights of this year's ride was the route through Sheppard Air Force Base. Only the 100 K and 50 mile riders were fortunate enough to share this experience. After we entered the base and rolled past the huge B-52 "Buff", we turned onto the tarmac where an array of planes were lined up on both sides of the route. I saw and recognized the T-34; T-38; F-15; F-16; A-10; and C-130 and there were several other planes besides. The real excitement was still to come. Remember Sheppard is the largest training base in the Air Force, and the entire trainee population turned out to cheer us on! Imagine having thousands of young men and women lining the route clapping and cheering. Fortunately, the pavement was smooth, and the terrain flat to slightly downhill so I just coasted and held out my hand and thanked them for their service to our country. It seemed like every one of them wanted to reach out to touch my hand - it was an incredible experience - brings tears to my eyes again as I write this.... Those on the 100 mile route really missed out!
From Sheppard, it was only another 5 miles to the finish line. I finished in just under 5 hours for a 12+ MPH total average, with an average of 15.7 or so while on the road. A personal best for this ride and for this distance.
The Toyota trucks garnered a LOT of attention this year. We were able to find good, prominent parking spots for them on both Friday and Saturday. When we were not at the truck, we stuck flyers on it and when we returned they were always almost all gone. We talked to lots of folks about joining us on this year's Valero MS-150 while on the road, at the expo, and on the parking lot. This was my third HHH experience, and this was by far my most enjoyable experience.
David Sloan