• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

BikeTexas

Advancing Bicycle Access, Safety, and Education

$0.00
(0)

Free shipping on all bike lights

Shop the BikeTexas Store!

  • Advocacy
    • Get Involved – Identify Your Legislators
    • TAP Funding
    • Complete Streets
      • Get Involved
      • Sign the Petition
    • Shifting Gears
    • Safe Passing
      • Safe Passing FAQs
    • National Bike Summit
    • VIP Bike Rides
    • NCSL Bike Rides
    • Legislative Success
    • Bikes on Driver Test Bill
    • Action Alerts
    • Matthew Brown Act
    • Contact Your Representative
    • Contacting City Council Members
    • Enhancements
    • Memorial Funds
  • Education
    • BikePedEd Books and Lights
      • BikePedEd Order Form
      • BikePedEd Sample Request
    • Educational Resources
      • Safe Routes to School Handbook
      • SafeCyclist Teacher Master Pages
    • SafeCyclist Curriculum and Certification
    • College Active Transportation Safety (CATS)
      • Presentations
      • CATS Resources and Activities
      • Safety Bling! Music Video
    • Texas Trails & Active Transportation Conference
    • Best Practices
    • BikeTexas KidsKup
      • Event Schedule
    • Share the Road Adult Education
    • Texas in Motion
  • Roads & Trails
    • Texas Bicycle Laws – 8 Things to Know
    • IMBA Rules of The Trail
    • Texas Active Living Network
    • BikeTexas Benchmark Study
    • North Texas Trails
  • About Us
    • BikeTexas BikeNews
      • Get Our Newsletter
    • Mission and Vision
    • Strategic Plan 2014-2019
    • Reports & Audits
    • Members
      • Individual Memberships
      • Business Memberships
      • Org and Club Membership
    • Contact Us
    • BikeTexas Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Board
    • Press Room
      • BikeTexas In The News
      • Press Releases
      • Resolutions
    • Memorial Funds
    • Employment
    • Earth Share
    • Annual Meeting
  • Become a Member
  • Donate
  • Store
  • eBike Tours
  • My account
    • Orders
    • Addresses
    • Payment methods
    • Account details
  • Cart
You are here: Home / BikeTexas BikeNews / BikeNews; Community / Wichita Falls : A Cycling Gem on the Prairie

Wichita Falls : A Cycling Gem on the Prairie

Wichita Falls may not be on the radar of every destination cyclist just yet, but over the last couple of decades the small city near the Red River has established itself as a haven for great cycling. Bolstered by cycling advocates like Roby Christie and one of the most successful collegiate cycling programs at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls draws thousands of cyclists each August to face the challenges served up by the Hotter’N Hell Hundred.

About 25 years ago, the City of Wichita Falls considered, among other schemes, instituting a rocking chair marathon in order to increase tourism, raise revenue, and celebrate the city’s centennial anniversary. Fortunately for the cycling community, Roby Christie stepped in to suggest the city take another tack and establish a bicycle race; Hotter’N Hell was born and Wichita Falls has never been the same.

Revenue from the popular event has been utilized to build the Multi-Purpose Events Center, popular hike & bike trails along the Wichita River, and the emblematic falls for which the city has been named. Hotels book up months in advance, restaurants stay busy through the weekend, and thousands of dollars are spent in the city. Volunteers of all ages make sure the cyclists are fed and hydrated, and the local media has a lot of fun covering the human interest stories of nearly 10,000 cyclists cruising along local roads. Bicycling has definitely made a lasting impression on Wichita Falls.

Texas Bicycle Coalition staffed a booth at the expo Thursday, Friday and Saturday, introducing hundreds of cyclists to the programs that are working to make Texas cycling stronger. More than one hundred individuals entered the raffle for a 2006 Specialized Allez by either joining or renewing their memberships. Marvin Parker of Irving walked away with the new bike, but everybody who visited our booth gained a better understanding of how Texas Bicycle Coalition is working to advance bicycle access, safety and education in Texas.

The Texas Bicycle Coalition Annual Meeting was well attended with about 40 members present. Gail Spann, Board Chair for the past two years, completed her term and passed the torch to Bud Melton. Executive Director Robin Stallings detailed the victories of the Legislative and Congressional sessions, the excitement of BikeTexas Safe Routes to School, and the future of programs like BikeTexas Trail Doctors and Kids’ Kup. Bikin’ Mike Keel presented a large check to support the Share the Road program, as did REI, Plano Cycling & Fitness, and Tyler Bicycle Club. Many thanks to these organizations for their generous support.

Thanks to Roby Christie and the Hotter’N Hell Hundred Steering Committee for providing Texas Bicycle Coalition with free booth and meeting space. Hotter’N Hell Hundred has been a BikeTexas Event Member since 1992, and their support of the Coalition’s work and cycling in Texas is appreciated by every cyclist who rides in Texas .

Thank you also to Texas Specialized Dealers for the donation of a 2006 Allez. The beautiful racing bike attracted a lot of attention to the Texas Bicycle Coalition booth, and helped generate new BikeTexas Members and more than $4,000 for the membership program!

Our Sponsors

Primary Sidebar

DONATE

Support access, safety, and education for all people who ride bikes in Texas.

SHOP OUR STORE

Bike lights, t-shirts, jerseys, and more.

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up today to stay informed about how bicycling is improving in Texas!

PREMIERE BUSINESS MEMBERS & SPONSORS

Support Texas Cycling

Become a Member

Individual • Business • Club/Team • Event

BikePedEd

Bike education materials for your classroom, youth organization, and more.

Shop BikeTexas Store

Bike Lights, Jerseys, License Plates, T-Shirts, and more

Order License Plates

Share your love for bikes while driving your car

Donate to the Cause

Support access, safety, and education for all people who ride bikes in Texas.

Safety & Education

SafeCyclist Training

Get certified to teach the SafeCyclist Curriculum

Educational Resources

Resources for teachers and community members

SRTS Event Handbook

Mission and Vision

MISSION BikeTexas advances bicycle access, safety, and education. We encourage and promote bicycling, increased safety, and improved conditions. We unite and inspire people and provide a cohesive voice for people who ride bikes in … Read More » about Mission and Vision

Donate to BikeTexas’ Advocacy and Education Efforts

Get Our Newsletter

Footer

PREMIERE BUSINESS MEMBERS & SPONSORS

Get Involved

  • Membership Matters
  • Volunteer
  • Best Practices
  • Be There
  • Contacting Your Representative
  • Get Involved – Identify Your Legislators
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Order Your BikeTexas Jersey

BikeTexasJersey-2012-Front
BikeTexas
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
dero dealer
BIKETEXAS | Advancing Bicycle Access, Safety, and Education | © 2023 Texas Bicycle Coalition dba BikeTexas
Website by Logical Things