The Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo takes to
the trail for its 23rd year, once again tasking riders with an uphill climb to the top
of Mount Cheaha, the tallest point in the
State of Alabama — with shorter options
that don’t climb quite as high into the Alabama atmosphere.
mountain biking workshops, angler classes,
bike art, face painting, rock painting and vendor sales for souvenirs.
As in prior years, the race hosts multiple variations on the ride to the top, with options for
riders to go 24 miles through the Jacksonville
backwoods, up to 84 miles into Cheaha State
Park, and 100 and 124-mile races that test the
limits of human endurance up huge inclines
and over incredible distances.
Registration is open online through May 15
and available offline up to the morning of the
race. Registration is $65 through May 16 and
$70 on the day of the race. Stop by the May
16 pre-ride dinner party at Mellow Mushroom
from 5-8 p.m. for packet pick-up and in-person registration.
New this year is KidsFest, a festival in the JSU
soccer arena from 9-3 p.m., with soccer and
The race starts at 7:30 a.m. in Jacksonville
State University’s Pete Mathews Coliseum.
Chief Ladiga Cruise
For those who don’t want to take the long
ride, the Chief Ladiga Cruise is an up-to
24-mile option along the Chief Ladiga
Trail from Pete Mathews Coliseum into
the countryside near Dugger Mountain.
The road is paved, the inclines gentle and
there are plenty of rest stops along the
trail, which means this is a great option for
a relaxing ride or a great way to burn up
a little time while family members take on
the Challenge.
Registration is $25 and available online
alongside the Cheaha Challenge; online
registration ends May 15, paper registration open until the day of the ride.
Visit cheahachallenge.com for additional
info, like elevation maps and jersey order
information, and visit Cheaha Challenge
on Facebook.
May 2015
INSIGHT