H.R. No. 1784
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Cyclists are gearing up for the Hotter'N Hell
Hundred bike ride in Wichita Falls in August 2013, an annual event
that has attracted about 300,000 participants over the course of
the last three decades; and
WHEREAS, The Hotter'N Hell Hundred was first staged during
the town's centennial in 1982, with riders commemorating the 100th
anniversary by riding 100 miles in 100-degree weather; organized by
the Wichita Falls Bicycling Club and the centennial planning
committee, the inaugural countywide race drew 1,200 cyclists and
was, at the time, the largest single-day century ride in the nation;
and
WHEREAS, With each successive year, the HHH attracted greater
attention in Wichita Falls, throughout surrounding counties, and
beyond; volunteers, businesses, nonprofit groups, and service
organizations began helping coordinate the ride, and attendance
remained strong; by 1987, 11,000 people had taken part in the
challenge, and as time went by, it became a favorite destination for
fitness enthusiasts from across the United States and around the
world; and
WHEREAS, Now one of the nation's oldest and largest cycling
events, the HHH has expanded from a single-day to a four-day
gathering; among the features that have been added are
mountain-biking activities, trail runs, road and criterium races
sanctioned by USA Cycling, and a large trade show with food vendors
from around the country; and
WHEREAS, The number of volunteers has grown from 250 in the
first year to well over 5,000 in 2012, including 1,000 medical
personnel; embodying the strong community spirit in the local area,
the volunteers work to register riders, provide them with supplies,
attend to them at rest stops, and see them safely across the finish
line; any participants who are unable to complete the routes on
their own are driven to their destinations via volunteer-run sag
wagons; and
WHEREAS, Proceeds from the HHH are used to support a range of
worthwhile endeavors, including the development of parks, exercise
trails, and other public facilities; these contributions have, over
time, helped to rebuild the city's namesake waterfalls and to
construct the River Bend Nature Center and various historical
sculptures; the race has also underwritten scholarships for the
Midwestern State University Cycling Team and has benefited the Navy
Seabees and the U.S. Air Force at Sheppard Air Force Base, the
American Red Cross, the Children's Miracle Network, BikeTexas,
Wichita Falls Amateur Radio, and area police and fire departments;
and
WHEREAS, With its warm hospitality soothing the strain of its
rather inhospitable weather, the Hotter'N Hell Hundred has become
one of the classic cycling events in the United States and a
signature celebration for Wichita Falls, and it is indeed deserving
of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 32nd annual Hotter'N Hell
Hundred bicycle ride, honor the cyclists who have gamely set off at
the starting line over the past 31 years, and extend to all of the
race's riders, organizers, and volunteers sincere best wishes for a
successful and memorable event; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Frank
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1784 was adopted by the House on May
8, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House