Sheppard opens up to HHH riders for 32nd consecutive year Aug. 24

  • Published
  • By Dan Hawkins
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard will welcome thousands of cyclists through the gates to ride through two miles of the base Aug. 24 during the 32nd annual Hotter 'N Hell Hundred bike race.

The Hotter 'N Hell Hundred, the largest single day 100-mile bicycle ride in the nation, has had a portion of the race roll through Sheppard since its creation in 1981.

Riders from all over the United States, and the globe, come to Wichita Falls to participate in race routes ranging anywhere from 10 kilometers to 100 miles long.

Capt Lyndsey Ferris, Sheppard's Hotter 'N Hell Hundred point of contact and Optometry flight commander at the 82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron , explained the value of the base's participation in the storied race.

"Participation with the community on the HHH is incredibly beneficial as it gives our local community members a better understanding of the roles their military neighbors play in our day to day operations," Ferris said. "It also gives the men and women of Sheppard a way to support our local community by providing volunteer coverage ranging from route marking and security to rest stop support and medical services during the event."

Ferris said unlike last year, when every race participant got the chance to ride through the base, only the riders on the 25 mile, 50 mile and 100 kilometer routes will pass through Sheppard. The base could also receive a few 100 mile riders who do not clear Hell's Gate in Burkburnett in the event it is closed due to weather (heat) or time.

Riders will enter the base through the Missile Gate and move towards the Ground Instructional Training Aircraft (GITA) ramp, where they will have the opportunity to stop and view aircraft static displays including the T-6A Texan, T-38C Talon, F-15 Strike Eagle and C-130 Hercules.

"Air crew members will be on hand to answer rider's questions and provide them a general information on the Air Force mission to Fly, Fight and Win," Ferris said.

After the GITA ramp, riders will continue on to the Community Activity Center rest stop, which will also have an F-16 Fighting Falcon on static display.

"(Riders) can rehydrate, cool off and partake in some mid-ride energy snacks at the rest stop," Ferris said. "They can also seek medical services at the medical aid station."

Sheppard's efforts at providing a first-class rest stop during the race have not gone unnoticed.

"We've been awarded the first place award for all the HHH pit stops in three of the last five years," said Cynthia Cummings, Sheppard's HHH Rest Stop manager. "We've also won a second place award during that time frame."

No awards were given out last year due to unforeseen circumstances, Cummings said.

From there, it's on to the famed "Airman's Alley", the part of the route lined by hundreds of Sheppard Airmen-in-Training who cheer on the riders as they make their way off the base to head towards downtown Wichita Falls.

The on-base route is the same as last year's race.

Festivities get underway downtown around 6:00 a.m. with a dual cannon firing by Col. Eric Froehlich, 82nd Training Wing vice-commander, and Col. Lance Bunch, 80th Flying Training Wing commander.

The Clinic Gate will be the only gate open for both in and outbound traffic on the day of the race beginning at 6:00 a.m. The Main Gate (Sheppard Access Road) will stop allowing inbound traffic onto the base around 6:00 a.m. and will be open to outbound traffic only. The Missile Gate will only be open to racers beginning at 6:00 a.m. Avenue G will be closed to all non-emergency vehicle traffic for the HHH. The crossing point for vehicles will be located on 9th Avenue.

Both the Main and Missile gates should resume normal operating hours not later than 6 p.m.