WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — For more than four decades, thousands of cyclists have come to Wichita Falls ready to take on the heat and one hundred miles, but before Hotter 'N Hell Hundred became one of the city's most recognizable traditions, it was just an idea from one man. A wheel is meant to move the rider forward, but for Roby Christie, Hotter 'N Hell Hundred is a chance to look back "Being there on day one means a lot to myself and my wife.
We have been known to many as "father hotter" and "mother hell". So, just Hotter 'N Hell in general is ingrained in us. 45 Years of sharing our summers and long days during the year with the public," Christie said. It started with an idea and a bicycle. Now, more than four decades later, and that idea is still rolling, bringing in thousands of cyclists to Wichita Falls and creating a legacy that its founders could have never imagined. " The city of Wichita Falls with the chamber; they were preparing to celebrate the 100th birthday of Wichita Falls.
I don't exactly know how I got chosen, but I was asked to come up with a kickoff event for the centennial," Christie said. The city suggested holding a rocking chair marathon, but Christie had a different idea: a bike ride. Now, over 40 years later, that ride is recognized worldwide as one of the top bike marathons. " It's humbling because we put a lot of work into it. We have a committee of 150 people or so. Our city and county put a lot of money and folks into it.
To see that the potential riders in the United States and beyond have found value in that it is priceless to us," Christie said. For Christie, his love for cycling came the day he got his first bike at five years old. " I was given a bicycle by a neighborhood girl, and I rode that bicycle. The only thing wrong with that little bicycle was that there was a bolt on the frame, and every time my ankle would pass that I would get a bloody spot. Still, I rode that bike for a long time with bloody spots on my ankle, so I had to want to do it pretty bad," Christie said.
That first bike kicked his passion into gear and has connected him to thousands of people around the world who share a common interest. " There are so many folks that have conquered illnesses, solves personal problems that they have in their lives by focusing on cycling, focusing on their health, and doing things that are good for them and others because they've seen so much good come out of the efforts of other people," Christie said. Christie said if he could talk to his younger self, he'd tell him he's going to be a part of something really special, and it happened because so many people were involved.
For now, he's looking forward to the next big race.
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