Each August, Wichita Falls becomes the heartbeat of the cycling world with the Hotter’N Hell Hundred. In 2025, I had the joy of experiencing—and capturing—this incredible tradition for the first time. Through my Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 race photography, I was able to tell the story of the riders, the patriotic start, and the community spirit that makes this event so unforgettable.
Wichita Falls Welcomes Riders to Hotter’N Hell 2025
Before dawn, downtown glowed with bike lights and coffee steam. The Wichita Falls and Air Force Fire Departments raised the giant American flag over Scott Avenue, and you could feel the buzz building block by block. Families pressed up to the barricades, riders checked their gear one last time, and the city felt like one big team.
Wichita Falls waking up as riders line up beneath the flag for Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025.
The Start Line Atmosphere
Under the flag, there were nerves, prayers, deep breaths, and a whole lot of smiles. You could hear the hum of chains, the click of cleats, and the crowd counting down the moments to go-time.
As I moved through the start corral, I loved watching first-timers and veterans swap stories. Some were chasing the full hundred miles; others picked 25,50, or 75. Same spirit – different distances – one community.
KFDX News Channel 3 brought the start-line excitement to living rooms across Texoma.
News Coverage at the Start
As riders lined up under the flag, KFDX News Channel 3 was there with cameras rolling and microphones in hand. Their live coverage shared the excitement with viewers across Texoma who couldn’t make it downtown. I loved capturing their team in action—it was another reminder that Hotter’N Hell isn’t just a race, it’s a citywide tradition that everyone takes pride in, whether you’re on a bike or behind a camera.
Honoring the Flag and the Flyover
As the national anthem played, riders paused to honor the American flag waving high above Scott Avenue. Some placed their hands over their hearts, while others saluted—a powerful moment of unity before the ride began.
Then came the goosebumps moment—the anthem’s final notes fading, a heartbeat of quiet, and the fighter jets thundering overhead. The entire street looked up in awe. (For safety and compliance, I did not fly a drone during the flyover; the image below is a ground capture.)
Respect and unity at the start of Hotter’N Hell 2025.
The roar of the jets brought cheers from the crowd and riders alike—the ride had officially begun.
Riders Rolling Out
With the anthem sung, the salute given, and jets soaring overhead, it was finally time. The cannon fired, wheels clipped in, and a sea of riders poured onto the course. Excitement, grit, and determination filled the streets of Wichita Falls.
The River of Cyclists (Aerial)
From above, the start becomes a never-ending ribbon of riders.
From the aerial drone view to ground-level shots of riders cheering, my Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 Race Photography shows both the scale and the emotion of the day. From above, the ride became a living river of motion. My drone captured the endless ribbon of cyclists winding through downtown—thousands of riders stretching as far as the eye could see. The pre-dawn light gave the whole scene a dramatic energy, marking the true beginning of Hotter’N Hell 2025.
Energy and Excitement as Riders Begin
The joy was contagious as riders rolled out, waving and smiling with the energy of a new day ahead.
The first waves of riders smiled, waved, and pumped their fists as they passed beneath the flag. Months of training had led to this moment, and their faces showed a mix of nerves and pure joy.
This rider in particular lifted his hand high into the air, cheering as he rolled out. It was the perfect picture of triumph before the miles had even begun—a reminder that Hotter’N Hell is about more than endurance, it’s about celebrating the ride itself. His enthusiasm rippled through the pack and set the tone for the day.
Adaptive Riders and Tandems
Hotter’N Hell is for everyone—different bikes, one goal.
One of the most inspiring parts of the day was watching adaptive riders, tandems, and handcycles launch alongside the crowd. Hotter’N Hell truly is for everyone, and these athletes embody the spirit of perseverance.
Why I Love Hotter’N Hell 2025 Race Photography
This was my very first time experiencing this incredible race! We had just moved to Wichita Falls last year, and I honestly didn’t know what Hotter’N Hell was all about. Now, after being part of the excitement, I can tell you—I won’t miss it again!
The energy, the camaraderie, and the sheer determination of the riders made it such a joy to capture. Every face I photographed carried a story—whether it was grit, relief, joy, or pure excitement. Sharing my Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 Race Photography lets me celebrate both the riders and the community spirit of Wichita Falls. And for me, that’s what makes Hotter’N Hell so special: it isn’t just a cycling event, it’s a celebration of people and pride that fills our streets.
A Rider’s Story from Hotter’N Hell 2025
This close-up of riders says it all—eyes forward, pure determination written across their faces. It’s moments like this that remind me why I loved documenting Hotter’N Hell: every mile carries a story, and every rider shows us what perseverance looks like.
Every face tells a story. These ones with a giant smile!
Every face tells a story. That’s why I love being behind the lens.
Faces of Joy Along the Way
This image says it all—the smiles, the joy, and the community spirit that make Hotter’N Hell so memorable. It’s riders like these who remind me why I love capturing this event.
Every mile tells a story, and this rider’s focus says it all.
Drone Views & Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 Race Photography Video
To truly appreciate the scale, you have to see it from above. My drone captured the golden light of sunrise, the flag, and the endless stream of riders stretching across Wichita Falls.
Drone at Dawn over Scott Avenue
This image is one of my favorites in the drone series—the warm glow of sunrise, Scott Avenue filled edge to edge, and the city skyline standing tall in the background.
Morning light + motion = pure magic over downtown Wichita Falls.
Watch the Ride from Above (Video)
I’m also creating a highlight video with drone clips and ground footage to capture the full start-line energy. I’ll be sharing it on my YouTube Channel, so be sure to follow me there for the full experience and future behind-the-scenes content. This is a brand-new channel I’ll be growing, and I’d love for you to be part of it from the very beginning!
Closing Thoughts on Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 Race Photography
The Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 wasn’t just a cycling event—it was a portrait of perseverance, teamwork, and hometown pride. Congratulations to every rider who braved the heat, and heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, first responders, and sponsors who made the day possible.
Wichita Falls, you showed up big. I’m honored to tell your story—one frame at a time! Looking back, I’m grateful my Hotter’N Hell Hundred 2025 Race Photography captured not only cyclists on the road but also the pride of a city that comes alive each August.
Bonus for Staying Until the End 🎉
If you’ve made it this far—thank you for following along with my story of Hotter’N Hell 2025! As a little bonus, here are some extra moments I captured that didn’t make it into the main flow of the blog, but are just too good not to share.
👉 Think of this as a behind-the-scenes peek into my camera roll—those in-between moments that also make this race so unforgettable.
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- Lined up and ready—thousands of riders waited for the cannon blast.
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- Riding side by side—Hotter’N Hell is about the pack as much as the individual.
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- The ride was officially underway!
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- Friends, teammates, and strangers—riding together is part of the spirit.
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- The wait was over—riders surged forward as the ride began.
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- Hundreds of riders moved forward as one—the ride had officially begun.
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- Focused and steady, riders roll out under the flag to begin their Hotter’N Hell journey.
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- Focused and determined, the first wave pushes forward under the flag as the ride officially begins.
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- Smiles, bright jerseys, and plenty of energy as riders settled into the ride.
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- Energy and joy—this sunflower rider’s wave says it all.
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- Not just a race—Hotter’N Hell is about sharing the ride with friends old and new.
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- Joy in motion—because a ride this iconic deserves a selfie moment.
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- Riding under the stars and stripes—a proud moment for every cyclist on the course.
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- An ocean of riders stretched into the distance, filling every lane of the road.
Wow! Those shots are incredible! What an awesome tribute. This is also beautifully written. Well done!
Thank you so much! 💕 It was such an incredible experience to capture — the energy, the flag, the jets, the riders — all of it gave me goosebumps. I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos and the story. Can’t wait to do it again next year! 🚴♀️📸