TITLE: Commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the Hotter'N Hell Hundred bicycle ride in Wichita Falls.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the Hotter'N Hell Hundred bicycle ride in Wichita Falls.

FULL TEXT:
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