rec'd this e mail today from Chip Filer - info@hhh.org.  My only problem with this is that it's DARK at 6AM...  Note below that the 6AM start is an OPTION -- Also note that ONSITE registration has increased to $40...   PB
 
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2011 Hotter'N Hell Hundred Update  
 
Just 26 Days until the  HHH 2011 Weekend Begins!  
 
Important Update!!  
 
While it's not too hot for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred, the conditions are just right for change!  
Due to ongoing severe heat issues this summer we have made a decision to open the 100 mile route 1 hour earlier than the historical 7:05 AM start time.  
 
The Hotter’N Hell Hundred 100 mile route will be opened at 6:00 am Aug. 27, 2011 one hour early for 100 mile riders who choose to beat the heat and arrive at Hell’s Gate ahead of closing time.
 
IMPORTANT!  
No other routes, however, will be supported earlier than the traditional 7:05 AM start.  
100 mile riders should assemble at the normal start location, 100 Scott Street.  
Pace Groups will be started at 6:00 AM  
100 mile tandems and recumbents will be started at 6:10 AM  
100 mile riders will be started at 6:15 AM(Scorchers followed by Keepers & Hopefuls)  
Hell’s Gate, guarded by Pyro Pete, will be scheduled to close at noon unless it is closed earlier by the Medical Director due to extreme weather conditions.  
 
The official RIDE start at 7:05 AM will launch the 100 mile riders that choose to wait for the normal start time, and the 100K, 50 mile, 25 mile, and 10K riders. The traditional Cannon Fire and USAF Fly Over will excite everyone for the start at 7:05 AM.  
 
All riders, regardless of start time or distance, must start from behind the Start Banner on Scott Street so that their timing chip can be properly activated.  
The USA Cycling RACE start times, location, and routes will change as well. The race start information will be communicated to all racers directly by the Race Committee.  
See the revised weekend schedule below for other changes.  
Waivers: The waivers will be mailed to the address supplied with your registration beginning Friday August 12, 2011. The mailing will also include:  
•      Start/Finish Instruction & Information sheet  
•      Updated weekend schedule  
•      Start Line/Finish Line Village Map  
Registration - For those that still need to register or have friends that need to register:  
•      Registration discounts end Sunday July 31, 2011.  
•      Individual registration increases from $30 to $35 on August 1, 2011.  
•      Online registration ends Sunday, August 21, 2011.  
•      Late Registration will be open Thursday, August 25th - 4:00PM to 8:00PM; Friday, August 26th - 2:00PM to 10:00PM; and Saturday, August 27th - 5:30AM to 7:00AM.  
•      The late registration fee is $40.
 
BikeReg Link: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12189  
Schedule of Events Update - Hotter'N Hell Hundred 2011  
Thursday, August 25, 2011; The First Day of HHH Festivities!  
3:00 PM: The Consumer Show opens in the Exhibit Hall of the Multi-Purpose Events Center.  
4:00 PM: Packet Pickup and late registration open at the Exhibit Hall.  
4:00 PM: USA Cycling race registration begins in the Exhibit Hall.  
4:00 PM: Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road events registration begins at the Exhibit Hall.  
8:00 PM: All Activities close.  
Friday, August 26, 2011; The Celebration Begins!  
10:00 AM > 3:00PM: HHH Science of Cycling Seminar Presentations - MPEC Seminar Room  
1:00 PM: Consumer Show begins.  
2:00 PM: Packet Pickup and late registration open in the Exhibit Hall for Ride and Race participants.  
2:00 PM: Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road events registration begins at the Exhibit Hall.  
3:00 PM: Finish Line Village Opens  
4:00 PM: Sports Massage at MPEC. Loosen up for the day ahead.  
5:30 PM: Spaghetti Dinner Begins in the lower level of the Coliseum.  
5:00 PM; Ultra Criterium for USA Cycling racers begins at the Michelob Ultra Finish Line Village.  
Great races to watch from MPEC parking & East steps of the Coliseum - 5 PM to 7:30 PM  
5:00 PM Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road Mountain Bike Trail Race; 12 mile  
7:00 PM– 8:00 PM “Start Smart & Have Your Best Ride”- MPEC Seminar Room;  
8:00 PM  
8:45 PM Race Official’s Meeting – HHH Bldg – 104 Scott St. (USA Cycling Officials and invited guests only).  
9:00 PM Spaghetti Dinner closes  
10:00 PM Consumer Show, Finish Line Village, Registrations, and Packet Pickup Close  
Saturday, August 27, 2011; The Heat is On! The Ride and Road Races Begin!  
5:00 AM: Breakfast offered by Monarch Catering; West end of the Exhibit Hall.  
5:00 AM: Packet Pickup and Late Registration in the Exhibit Hall. (USA Cycling racers - no registration)  
5:30 AM: Morning Praise and Worship (3rd and Lamar)  
6:00 AM: 100 mile route opens for Pace Groups  
6:10 AM: 100 mile route opens for Tandems & recumbents (100 milers only)  
6:15 AM: 100 mile route opens for Scorchers, Keepers & Hopefuls that desire to start early.  
6:30 AM: Michelob Ultra USA Cycling Road Races begin at Lincoln St and Burkburnett Rd.  
7:00 AM: Registration for the Ride closes  
7:05 AM: USAF Flyover  
7:05 AM: Cannon Blast and the official start of the Endurance ride for balance of 100 miler riders, 100k,  
50mile, 25mile and 10k routes (Tandems & Recumbents start at 2nd Street)  
8:00 AM: Michelob Finish Line Village & Food Court opens at 2nd and Lamar  
9:00 AM: The Consumer Show Opens  
9:00 AM: Sports Massage at the Consumer Show opens  
11:00 AM > 5:00 PM Outdoor Concert at 2nd and Lamar.  
Entertainment : Jay Hollis Band; Johnny Cooper & The Killdares  
11:00 AM: Michelob Ultra Road Races finish. Awards will be presented around 12 Noon (based on category completion time) on the Finish Line Village Concert Stage.  
12 Noon: Hells Gate – Scheduled Closure (Earlier closures are weather dependent)  
4:00 PM: Consumer Show Closes  
5:00 PM: Finish Line Village & Outdoor Concert closes (6:00 PM: All activities close)  
Sunday, August 28, 2011; Wrap up The Triple Threat!  
7:00AM: Wee-Chi-Tah Off-Road Trail Run, 10k, and Half Marathon Distances.  
7:00AM; Michelob Ultra Criterium for USA Cycling racers begins in the front of the Multi Purpose Events Center.  
Great races to watch from MPEC parking & West steps of the Coliseum - 7:00AM to 2:30PM. END

"6:10 AM: 100 mile route opens for Tandems & recumbents (100 milers only)"

It's kind of always been that way. If you wanted to start with your 50 mile route upright friends, you wouldn't be with the tandems and recumbents in front of the 100 milers. With the 100 milers already gone before this year's 7:05 start, so is the tandem and recumbent start.
 
I guess you could be at the start with the tandems and recumbents, but wait for the later start. I would suggest being near the side of the road if you do that.

Paul!  I can't believe a randonneur would cavil at a pre-dawn ride start!

I've always just used an o-ring to attach a small flashlight to my handlebar for the ride over. A mass start in almost darkness isn't very appealing, though. It will be good traffic control, though, so I think I'll just put the flashlight in my bag like always, grit my teeth, and pedal.