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We had 650 cyclists registered from more than 25 states in 2008... come join us in 2009!"
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Watch Videos from the Noble Street Festival and Sunny King Criteirum
Frankie Andreu is back to ride the 2009 Cheaha Challenge
Read this rider's account of his encounter with Frankie at the ride.
Frankie Andreu, one of the most popular and well-respected names in American professional cycling, will be a special guest at the 2009 Cheaha Challenge on Sunday, May 3.  Andreu retired from racing at the end of 2000 after a 12-year professional career. During his racing career he competed in the Tour de France nine times, riding with US Postal and Lance Armstrong for a portion of that time. Frankie can now be seen on Versus Network, providing commentating for the Tour each year. Frankie will be the announcer for the amateur and professional races on Saturday in downtown Anniston at the Noble Street Festival. Andreu will lead the Cheaha Challenge on Sunday morning. He won't be rushing to finish the ride, though. "I look forward to spending some time at the rest stops and meeting the riders who have traveled to Alabama to do the ride," says Andreu. "I hear one of the rest stations is especially interesting." He continues "It's still snowing in Detroit anyway, so I just hope to be able to finish!" The Cheaha Challenge benefits the Chief Ladiga Trail, Alabama's longest rail trail that recently connected to Georgia's Silver Comet Trail. "I just hope the organizers have a good turnout so that more can be donated to this worthy cause" stated Andreu.
The March, 2007 edition of Bicycling Magazine selected Cheaha
as one of the 100 best climbs in the U.S.!
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"Once again the volunteers made the ride awesome. I really appreciate all of the cooks, course marshals, workers at the sags, etc. etc. But most of all, I really got a kick out of going to France. The ladies who allowed us to have a picture taken with them while we were on the podium was really awesome. I can't wait to see the picture (and then see my wife's face when I show her the same!!)."
Vic McMurray
Baton Rouge, LA
"Another great Cheaha Challenge! This ride is my favorite century ride of the year. Many thanks to the friendly support staff. Everyone (including drivers on the roads) was very nice and supportive. We especially liked the Tour de France sag stop. I laughed out loud when I saw the devil man running along side my bike as I was approaching the sag. Good stuff!"
Jay Miller
Orlando, FL
"First year doing the Cheaha Challenge and I found it to be a very well organized event. The Sunny King/Noble Street Festival was an added bonus and made for a most enjoyable weekend. Even with the threat of rain on Sunday, the cycling gods blessed us with near perfect weather for one tough century. The steep climbs are merciless and the route sometimes deceiving, but with a group of volunteers second to none providing support/encouragement, this is a must-do ride. Hats off for a job well done!! I plan on marking my calendar in the coming years so that I may once again enjoy true southern hospitality mixed with just the right amount of pain/suffering. Kudos! Did I mention breaking the 50mph barrier on one certain decent made my suffering all worth while?"
Mark Angel
Knoxville, TN
"Will be back again next year with a compact crank! It was one of the funniest and challenging rides I've done and was the best supported hands down. Thanx."
Brian Baack
Gastonia, NC
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Join hundreds of cyclists from more than 20 states and experience the Cheaha Challenge. This recreational bicycle ride offers a route option for any level of cyclist. Shorter routes contain very few hills and longer routes contain up to 7,400 feet of cumulative climbing, traversing Alabama's highest point, Cheaha Mountain. The ride follows the federally designated Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway, affording some of the most scenic roadways in the Southeast. |
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Arrive Saturday with the whole family and enjoy the Noble Street Festival in Anniston. Downtown streets are closed for this annual event, featuring bike races, lots of restaurants, live music, art, and lots for children in the Kids Zone. More than 5,000 attendees enjoyed the 2007 festival.
Known for its tremendous community support, the Cheaha Challenge benefits the Chief Ladiga Trail—Alabama’s longest rail trail. The Northeast Alabama Bicycle Club has donated more than $16,000 to this wonderful project.
Profile of the Entire 102 Mile Course
FREE High Speed Wireless internet access will be available at the Piedmont
Civic Center, the Start/Finish of the ride. Bring your laptop and stay
connected as you wait for friends to finish the ride. Available on the
first floor of the building and under the shadetree next to the the Finish
line.
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