What heat? Katy Flatland Century draws 2,300 riders

What heat? Katy Flatland Century draws 2,300 riders

By Pete Radowick

Northwest Cycling Club is reveling today after one of its most successful renditions of the Katy Flatland Century, held Sunday on the bald prairie west of Houston.

Some 2,327 riders turned out , braving a forecast of temperatures in the high-90s, and were rewarded with intermittent cloud cover and seven rest stops amply supplied with tons (literally) of ice and every form of fuel a rider could want.

Caption:
More than 2,300 tackled Sunday’s Katy Flatland Century, including this impressive pace line. (Photo by Jeff Rohling)

All told, NWCC president Sara Green estimated more than 1,000 cyclists completed the full 100-mile loop that stretched from Tompkins High School in suburban Katy to Hempstead and back.

Even more riders completed the metric-century route of 62.5 miles and loops of 55, 42 and 30 miles.

“Our goal was to make this a safe and fun ride that everyone will want to come and do again next year,” she said. “I think we achieved that goal.”

There was only one accident reported with the cyclist incurring only minor injuries. Another rider collapsed from heat exhaustion upon crossing the finish line and he was transported by medical personnel to a hospital out of precaution, according to Green.

Green saluted veteran race directors Lynda Polk and Daniel Sanchez on a job spectacularly well done.

“I applaud Daniel and Lynda for making this event seamless and first class,” Green said. “They are real pros.”

Of course, no race the size of the Katy Flatland can take place without a sea of volunteers. The KFC had an army of 145 foot soldiers spread throughout the five loops, monitoring key corners with cowbells on – more cowbell! – and the all-important crew that ensured ice (12,200 pounds!) was available at every stop. (This merry band of volunteers was dubbed the Ice Ferries.)

Corner monitors with cowbells and the Ice Ferries with 6 tons of ice kept everyone on track. (Photos by Rich Faulkner)

NWCC also utilized two Boy Scout troops, #202 from Bear Creek and # 73 from Katy. They are responsible for getting the food and water to the rest stops and manning the locations, just as they do during the NWCC’s Bluebonnet Express ride every spring.

Every year the KFC gives cyclists the opportunity to complete their first 100-miler, including these three NWCC club members. (Photo by Rich Faulkner)

And, finally, Houston Cycling Centers provided more than 15 people to make bike repairs at the start/finish and every rest stop.

NWCC, a four-time winner of the USA Cycling Club of the Year, does both big rides and weekly Saturday morning rides with equal aplomb. The next big thing is the Chappell Hill Bank Classic Road Race September 11 in Chappell Hill, Texas.