Hotter N Hell 100 Lodging suggestions

I believe some of the local residents will rent out a room for the weekend.  I'm not sure how to get in touch with any of these people though.

If I go, I'll be camping...

Edited by jcbolton 2009-06-10 1:25 PM

Not sure if they have room or a campground, but check with the Air Force Base that is there and you might be able to get a good military rate (since I know you're military!).  I lucked out, and the friend that I'm going with has a friend there that works in the hotel business and she got us a room through backdoor channels!

From the message board of my cycling club:

For those wanting an inexpensive and convenient place to stay in Wichita Falls during Hotter n' Hell, the Lamar Baptist Church is a nice option. It's on 10th street, about 2 miles west from the start. There is NO CHARGE -- you take your own sleeping bag and air mattress (or whatever), and you get a 10' x 8' spot on the floor in their gymnasium, with shower facilities. In the morning, you can simply ride over to the starting area, to avoid dealing with car parking.

I've stayed there the last two years, and it works well. This year, they're planning to offer pizza on Friday night ($5), and a hot breakfast on Saturday, as well as shuttle service to the MPEC center Friday. But take both earplugs and an eyemask, if you're a light sleeper...

Contact Susan at LBC, at 940 723 4378
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My hotel experience from 2006:

Fri: As I am checking-in, I get into a discussion with the front desk as they are tellling me I MUST pay for 2 nights. I let them know that I was NEVER told about the 2-night minimum and they tell me that they sent the information to Marvin Parker (who I got the room from, but I did call the hotel and switch the reservation in my name!). So, after going back and forth, they finally agree to charge me for one night at $109 instead of $89. Fine.

Sat: 5:15 AM comes too quick! I hit the breakfeast in the front office. After I was full, I proceeded to check out.

The manager (I spoke with his wife the day before), tries to charge me for 2 nights. I emphasize I was told the day before I would be charged for 1 night. He says he REFUSES to let me only pay for one night and I MUST pay for 2 nights. We keep going round and round. I get so pissed off, I start to SHAKE in anger.

I then stomp out to my car and I grab my cell phone... go back inside and call the local police. At that point, the manager realized I was SERIOUS about NOT paying for 2 nights and he calls upstairs to find out that I was told I would only pay for 1 night. Then, and only then do I get charged for 1 night.

Moral of the story: Never stay at the Ramada Inn Limited in WF, TX!
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IF you can find a hotel room... be ready to pay for 2 nights... and to get overcharged for a crap-tas-tic room. The hotel was disgusting... gross... and all around YUCK! It was a $39.00 a night room, at best.

I paid $109 for a room that had a shopping cart parked in the breezeway.




Edited by KSH 2009-06-10 1:57 PM

On the website there should be a contact for the "rent from homeowner" option. I did that twice and was thought it was a great option. We stayed one night with dinner and breakfast (and some snacks) included; plus the owner let us come back after the race to shower and pack up before we headed out. All for $40. Just make sure and talk to the homeowner about sleeping arrangements (sometimes you are using air mattress/sleeping bag on the floor), pets (if you're allergic), and what their policy is for when you have to be out.

Just doing the drive from FTW at 0dark hundred.  My only competition is the one I shave in the morning.  I'm probably not going to do any better on rest/sleep in a strange environment -v- losing 2hrs at home.  My .02

I stayed in Lawton OK last year about 45 miles north they usually have rooms for a little longer than wichita falls

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I did check the website and they have some rooms for rent, but I haven't contacted anyone as I'm sure these rooms are no longer available. I think I may try camping (after all, I do have quite a bit experience). The church also seems like a great possiblity. I also contacted Sheppard AFB lodging and received this response:

Good afternoon;
Please contact us again 8 to 14 days prior to arrival due to occupancy expected; please feel free to check back periodically between now and then to see if we will be able to take your reservation any earlier.
Thank you

Respectfully
Deborah Lindsay
Sheppard Inn
DV Coordinator/Reservationist
DSN 736-2970
COMM. 940-676-2970
After Hours 940-855-7370

Again, thanks for the responses as there seems to be several options available and this will probably be my last event in the States for awhile (just received a Command-Sponsored slot for Korea).

 

Edited by crazylegs 2009-06-11 9:51 PM

Haha I'm actually in this industry.  There are rooms but you have to wait for the blocks to open up August 2nd give or take.  Start calling them then, online it will show nothing.

I've camped the last couple times I've done it. Its free because you can basically pitch a tent anywhere by the expo center, and they provide bathrooms and showers for your convenience. Being right by the start/ finishline is very nice too. It always sucked to ride 104 miles, then have to hoof it another mile or two to get back to the hotel.

Try Craigslist. A lot of people have been looking for rooms on there. It could be a little creepy, but most of the people here are good people. It's a lot of military, like myself, here around town. Thw Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce has a list of people applying for rooms, they will match you up with a host family and you can stay w/ them for free.I've got a living room and a blow-up matress if anyone in need could settle for that, I believe I'm about 2 miles from the start, I'll be riding to the Sat Endurance

do you know when the mpec camping area is open? i'll be there Fri to Sun. couldn't find whether it's open to campers as early as Thursday night or as late as Monday morning.