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