This weekend witnessed our annual pilgrimage to Wichita Falls for the Hotter n Hell Hundred. This was an odd year for a couple of reasons: 1. We left early, so we actually arrived in Wichita Falls before 10:PM. 2. Only three of us were staying in the hotel room, so there was a greater chance Pete might actually get to sleep in a bed.
What didn't change was our dinner stop in Decatur at Sweetie Pie's Ribeyes.
I could wax poetic all night long, but suffice to say: their steaks are juicy, their potatoes are baked in pine resin, and they give you butter by the ice cream scoop-full.
Sadly, this year the event expo did not feature a display by Pfizer to extol the virtues of their little blue pill. No, the only wood featured this year were the frames found at the Renovo booth.
We stayed again at La Quinta where we managed to get the same room that we had a couple of years ago. Serendipitously, the room had been remodeled since we stayed there last. Later that night, Jeremy and Jim stopped by for some homebrews and joviality. Congrats Jeremy on the new job!
Saturday:
The ride started at 7:AM, which was late for Pete, but early for me.
The official start is a bit like a Cat 5 race with 13067 riders. As in years past, we chose to skip the opening ceremony.
While waiting for the police to let us through, Glenn shows his rebellious streak by refusing to look left.
I understand we rode the first 50 in the low to mid 20's. Thankfully, we slowed it down a bit for the 2nd 50.
Arguably, the best part of the ride for me are the rest stops. Here we are at mile 50 where fresh baked cookies were abundant.
And at mile 60-something we were still smiling, so that's a good sign.
The best rest stop was actually an unofficial gathering at mile 98 - at a machine/auto repair shop. Free beer, free sausage, free beans, free nachos... and more free beer. Did I mention they had 2 guys at the kegs pumping and handing out cold ones for the riders? "Hey, you have 2 hands, here's another beer!"
In the end, we all finished the 100 mile ride in record time and in record spirit.
After a little break, we hit the pool, had some dinner, then went to the movies. Last year we saw District 9. This year, it was The Expendables. Guess which one required less thought.
Bonus random pictures from this weekend:
Grasshoppers can hang on for a mile or until about 25mph - whichever comes first:
Lime green Converse Chuck Taylors, titanium Bianchi:
His tattoo seemed appropriate:
Mmmm... beer. Mmmm... sausage:
Obey the stamp - Live Well Laugh Often:
See you next year!
3 comments:
I am confused again, the Live Well tattoo is on a guy or the rest stop sign you are referring to as a tattoo?
Now, you have me confused. The pictures expand to full size when you click on them. Hopefully, that will clear things up.
I see what I missed now "His tattoo seemed appropriate:", there was a longhorn tattoo on the guys arm, I thought you were referring to the stamp and I assumed the stamp was on a she, otherwise he must really like to let his shirt ride up
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