INSIGHT Magazine May 2018 | Page 16

after the storm, Nelson received the news that Cheaha Challenge would be able to go on as planned. “This was nothing short of a miracle,” Nelson says. “I am extremely grateful for their generosity and accommodation.” Cheaha Challenge has the honor, again this year, to host the only qualifier in the USA for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship, which Nelson says is “validation that our team did an awesome job in 2017”. “Our ride has been on an upward trajectory the last three years, having grown more than 120% in registrations,” Nelson explains.” We had a 30% increase from 2016 to 2017, but I believe we still would’ve grown even without the bid last year. We had registrations from 26 states and 9 countries, and we’re trending the same numbers for this year.” ✽ LEARN MORE 16 Cheaha Challenge is one of the original rides on the Alabama Backroads Century Series Other rides include: • Restoration Ride in Childersburg • Cyclepaths Challenge in Monroeville • Spring Krusher in Elkmont • Tristates 100 in Dothan • Highway 2 Hale in Moundville, W. C. • Handy 100 in Florence • North Jefferson Century in Gardendale • All You Can Eat Century in Huntsville • Birmingham Bicycle Club’s BBC 100 in Ashville • Glassner Autumn Challenge in Montgomery • Children’s Home Challenge in Talladega • Gears and Beers Bayou 100 in Mobile May 2018 INSIGHT