Raggedy Ol' Bike

Bike Wash Used Purple Extreme Lubricant

Late last summer, when I rode the road bike in the Hotter 'N Hell 100, I'd just changed it over to bar end shifters after busting the Shimano SIS shifter. I'd had to deal with some significant aluminum corrosion in the frame and the bike looked pretty shabby next to all the megabucks carbon models that seemed to abound that weekend in Wichita Falls.

As sometimes happens, however, a song seemed to fit the weekend perfectly. In this case, it was the Johnny Cash song "Ragged Old Flag." In particular, the lines:

"...she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin, But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in. Cause she's been through the fire before and I believe she can take a whole lot more." Raggedy ol' bike at the Hotter 'N Hell 100.

So, why this post, now? Well, walking around the day before the ride, I saw a bike wash and decided to treat the raggedy ol' bike to a wash and chain lube that it needed anyway. I've never used a bike wash before. Entirely by coincidence, Purple Traveller made a post earlier today about the very same lubricant the bike wash people used - Purple Extreme. It IS a good product - even on a raggedy ol' bike.

That Raggedy Ol' Bike's Been Through the Fire Before, and I Believe it Can Take a Whole Lot More

HH100 Report - Bike Town USA

Cyclists Decorate the Freeway Overpass Approaches in Wichita Falls, in Contrast to the Maps Typical Elsewhere in Texas

I've heard some opine that bike rallies are more part of the cycling problem than the solution. I think that overgeneralizes. Some bike rallies do demonstrable good for cyclists in the communities that they're held. I think the "Hotter 'N Hell Hundred" is an example of such. Actually, come to think of it, it's also the only bike rally I've ridden in over the last few years. Let's see a few examples of the bike rally influence on Wichita Falls beyond the cycling statue and cycling scholarships at MSU.

Bicycle Influence is Definite on HH100 Weekend. No "Share the Road" Sign Here

Seen on the Freeway Approach into Wichita Falls. It is Legal to Ride on Texas Freeways Unless Otherwise Posted

The influence of the event was felt in each of the towns along the route. Electra, in particular, goes all out, with virtually the entire town working the stop in that town. Many places along the way, local kids stand adjacent to the road, hoping for "high fives" from passing cyclists.

Oh, I almost forgot. While there was a bike commercial from the Texas Bicycle Coalition before the start, I did not hear or read anything anywhere about anyone being directed to ride on the shoulder, nor to ride single file on the roads along the route. This is in contrast to sworn testimony about another bike rally. The only odd reaction I got from any of the police along the route was when I signaled to stop most of the way through, because there were cars waiting for us at a four way stop and I hadn't been waved on by the police officer directing traffic. They quickly waved me through when they realized I was going to stop if I wasn't directed to proceed.

HH100 Report - Shopping Like Hell

Winter Gear from Hotter 'Hell Hundred Shopping Expedition

People that have gone to the Hotter 'N Hell know there are some pretty good deals to be had if you shop carefully and are flexible in what you want to get. Clothing sizes in between "S" and "XXL" sell out pretty quickly, so you are well advised to look for these things early. Other items vary widely in price depending on the particular seller. For example, the "Cateye Vectra Wireless" computer varied between $25 and $40 depending on where you went.

Shoes, on the other hand, seemed to be a hot ticket this year, at 50% off list. I really regret buying my Sidis at REI, though my old shoes were pretty worn. I thought about geting another pair, but these ones will probably last until next year's HH100. Knowing my luck, nobody will have shoes on sale next year.

One item I was able to do well with was WINTER GEAR! Yes, at the Hotter 'N Hell, there was winter gear getting closed out and nobody was looking for it. I snapped up a really warm pair of winter gloves and some heavy duty shoe covers that look like they'll be very water resistant as well. In passing, why is winter gear always black? Don't these manufacturers know it's dark a lot in the winter? Ah, well, I guess I'm destined to wear "high vis" black. I also hunted for rain gear, but there didn't seem to be much. Maybe next year will be the year of rain gear closeout sales.

One thing I suggest you pass on. There are lots of insulated water bottles for sale. ON THE OTHER HAND, during the ride, you can pick up water bottles along the route. Just carry one of your own for your own use. Most of the sellers take debit or credit cards, but I recommend good old fashioned cash. The checkout lines are shorter for those with paper money.

One strategy I employed with my LBS mechanic, was to simply go up and ask him what he thought was the absolute best deal on anything they had. I scored a $10 Bontrager multitool, marked down from $30. One can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many multitools.

Three-Seater Co-Motion Was For Sale Again This Year

HH100 Report - MSU Squared

For some bloggers, MSU stands for "Missouri State University." So it is for some riders in the "Hotter 'N Hell 100." As one example, the rider below clearly suggests that his loyalties lie with the northern state of Missouri. This also proves that there is at least one MSU cyclist that rides far afield.

Now THIS Guy is a Long Way from Home!

But there is another MSU. This MSU has a strong cycling tradition. As a matter of fact, as noted here, Midwestern State athletes have won 21 national collegiate cycling championships on the road and track. While MSU would normally compete in NCAA Division 2, in cycling they compete in Division 1. The second MSU has a bit of an advantage, you see. It happens to be located in Wichita Falls. Conveniently Enough, Wichita Falls is the site of the largest organized century ride in the US; the "Hotter 'N Hell 100."

While in Wichita Falls, I highly recommend a tour of the MSU campus. The campus is very attractive and, not being a "megaschool," it won't take long. Besides, how many colleges do you know with a statue dedicated to the school cycling team?

MSU in Wichita Falls. Formerly it was Known as Hardin College

MSU Team Arrow Statue on MSU Campus

HH100 Report - Sheppard AFB

Entry to Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls Texas, on HH100 Day

Last year, I really didn't have much of anything to say about the "Hotter 'N Hell 100" rally, as noted here. This year, it seems things are quite different. So different, in fact, that I shall divvy up the HH100 into several reports. First up, this year, rather than riding the whole hundred again in frigid sub-100 conditions, I decided to take the shortcut from Hell's Gate and include Sheppard AFB in my itinerary. It was a good choice. If you ride the full 100 miles, you'd miss this and it is not something you really want to miss. It is included in all the other ride distances.

By the way, some of you may not know, but the Air Force is the most enlightened and sensible of the Armed Forces. Even those that come from the Marines will admit there's compelling logic about an Armed Service that keeps the enlisted men on base while sending the officers out to fight.

Right Inside the Sheppard AFB Gate, You are Greeted by the Iconic Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. The Last of These Rolled off the Production Line in 1962

Turn Right and You'll See Sheppard Planes on Display, Including an All-Time Favorite, the Northrop T-38. Including F-5 Models, Over 3500 were Built.

They Also Have Other Planes on Display

Look in Front of the C-130 Hercules and You'll See Ladies in Pink with Wings on Their Backs. They Were a Favorite With the USAF Personnel

As You Can See, We Were Allowed Good Views of the Planes, and Flight Crew Answered Questions, as About this A-10 Warthog

Continuing Along, Past an F-111 Display, We Were About to See the Treat for the Day

We Got to Run a Friendly Gauntlet of Cheering Sheppard Airmen Who Were as Enthusiastic as it Looks

A LONG Gauntlet!

At Sheppard, as Elsewhere, the Water Tower
Lets You Know the Next Landmark in Advance