Sheppard pride on display during Hotter 'n Hell Hundred

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  For many of the more than 13,000 riders in this year's Hotter 'n Hell Hundred Aug. 28, the short trip through Sheppard was the highlight of the day.

"That was awesome," Morgan Rhew, 10-year-old rider from Dallas, Texas, said. "I got a break (at Airpower Alley) and took some pictures."

This is Morgan's third year riding in the event. He enjoyed the experience so much that he talked his father, Eric Rhew, into also participating in this year's Hotter 'n Hell Hundred.

"He finally got me out here," Mr. Rhew said. "Everybody was so nice. I didn't expect this. This is really nice."

Participants who rode in the 10K, 25-mile, 50-mile and 100K routes were treated to a leg of the race that passed through Sheppard.

This year, events featured at certain points of the trail were geared toward encouraging the riders while displaying Sheppard tradition and pride.

Riders first passed through Air Power Alley, a display of aircraft and Sheppard inventory which was laid out for cyclists to view as they passed through.

There were 15 student pilots on the scene who were able to answer questions, take photos or just chat with the riders.

Riders also received a grand welcome when they pulled into the "Pits" Stop break station. The station was equipped with medical personnel, water, fruit, snacks and a few dozen Airmen in Training who were welcoming them into the station and holding their bikes for them.

The "Pits" Stop also had exhibits on display inside the Pitsenbarger Fitness Center that showcased some of the technology and history associated with Sheppard heritage.

On the last leg of the race, riders passed through Airman in Training Alley, a stretch of road where 200 highly motivated Airmen lined both sides of the street cheering and encouraging the riders that passed by.

"It's encouraging," Ginger Brawley, second-time rider from Denison, Texas, said. "It's pretty cool to see them spend their time to cheer on the riders. With what they do for our country...it is awesome that they do this for the riders too. We should be cheering for them."

Sheppard was not the only heritage on display at the event. One of the riders used this year's event to pass on a long-standing tradition of cycling to their child.

Al and Dillon Bessen, riders from Austin, Texas, entered this year's race together as a father and son duo. Al Bessen rode in Hotter 'n Hell Hundred from 1987-1989, in 1993 and this year. This is his son's first time.

The support of both Team Sheppard and the surrounding community helped make the Sheppard segment of Hotter 'n Hell a successful experience; with the Sheppard rest stop voted number one by riders in 2009.

"Hotter 'n Hell Hundred is the biggest one-day ride in the world and Sheppard is proud to support this great event," 2nd Lt. Troy Kinchen said. "The kickoff for the race was amazing and lauded as the best fly-over ever, which also included quite the bang from the cannon fired by Brig. Gen. Burke."

The lieutenant said from the Airpower and AiT Alleys to the "Pits" Stop and all the audio visual displays, Sheppard's contribution to Hotter 'n Hell Hundred could not have been done without the few thousand personnel who make it happen year after year.

The Hotter 'n Hell Hundred is one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation. Fitness oriented riders and bicycle racers have come to Wichita Falls, Texas, from virtually every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries since 1981. The length of the races varied to accommodate a wide spectrum of riding levels, including a 100-mile race.

The U.S. Air Force Cycling Team was among the riders who participated in the 100-mile race.