Name: Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo
Start: 2026-05-16
End: 2026-05-17
Location: Jacksonville, Alabama

About the Event

The Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo is a ride for all cyclists, no matter your experience level in the sport. This ride has a bit of everything from the ULTRA course that features 126 miles of the toughest terrain around, down to the traditional 100, 84, 62, 44 and 24 mile routes on the Challenge course and the 50,25 and 12 mile options for the Chief Ladiga Cruise. Some of those distances offer the chance to ride up Mount Cheaha, the highest point in the state of Alabama.

The ride started as a recreational ride that riders would participate in with the goal of racing the course to get a fast time, while others would start with the singular goal of simply finishing. The ride still offers those opportunities to this day, but they are a bit more defined than it was in 1993. There is a competitive aspect to the ride with both the UCI Gran Fondo World Series and Gran Fondo National Series affiliations to qualify for the UCI World Championships and USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships respectively, as well as the Time Trial held the day before the Gran Fondo for those looking to race and ride as fast as they can. For riders looking for a tough ride to challenge themselves to complete, but maybe not as concerned about time goals, then you can find it here. We are blessed with hundreds of riders who participate with the goal of finishing and having a great time among the various distances. We also have options for new cyclists, or those who just like easier social rides, such as the Chief Ladiga Cruise and the shorter distances of the Cheaha Challenge route. When it is all done, we gather around at the finish area and have great post-ride meal to tell stories of how the ride went and connect with other riders from all over the US, and the World.

The Cheaha Challenge is now in it's 32nd year, where it has grown from the humble roots from that first edition to become the largest annual cycling event in Alabama, and one of the largest in the United States. We are excited to continue the tradition in 2026 and we look forward to seeing you on the start line!

Saturday, May 16, 2026: Eubanks Welcome Center, Piedmont, AL
Time Trial will be held on the freshly paved Chief Ladiga Trail!

Sunday, May 17, 2026: Pete Mathews Coliseum, Jacksonville, AL
Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo & ULTRA (with distances of 24, 44, 62, 84, 100 and 126 miles).
The Chief Ladiga Cruise ride on the paved rails-to-trail (with distances of 12, 25, and 50 miles)

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo - What's Included

Pre-Ride Party – Enjoy a phenomenal meal by local favorite – Effina’s – on Saturday evening. Discounted price of $15/head for all.
Pre-ride breakfast at JSU – Free to all: riders, family, friends, vendors, volunteers, sponsors.
Pre-ride devotion - By Dunaway Conner, inside Pete Mathews Coliseum (7:00 am).
Post-ride party – Buffet by Cooter’s Rib Shack and entertainment. Free for all riders. Discounted price $15 head for non-riders.
Fully stocked Rest Stops - Depending on the distance chosen, Challenge and ULTRA riders have access up to 12 Rest Stops (The Chief Ladiga Cruise has 5 Rest Stops.)
Law enforcement support
Medical support on courses and at Start/Finish by JSU’s College of Nursing Trailer, with support from Highland Health Systems.
SAG and technical support.
On-course communication.
Official custom number bibs.
Professional Timing – TopView Sports. Chip time – start to finish.
Option to order custom event jerseys, bibs, and shorts by Mumu Apparel.
Custom ride T-shirts.
Bragging rights for ULTRA Finishers ONLY, and ULTRA Finishers receive a custom Finisher Shirt (Non-Finishers will receive the ashes of their burned shirts). ULTRA Finishers have the option to order the custom ULTRA FINISHER jersey.
Finisher medals
Massage Therapy On-Site
BIKEXPO – At Pete Mathews Coliseum Saturday and Sunday.
HOT SHOWERS AT THE FINISH!

A Top 10 Event in the State of Alabama as selected by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel in 2006, 2010, and 2012.

Races Offered

Female Eddy Merckx Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — Female Eddy Merckx Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

Handcycle Category - Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — Handcycle Category - Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

Junior 15 to 18 Non-UCI Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — Junior 15 to 18 Non-UCI Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

Junior 9 to 14 Non-UCI Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — Junior 9 to 14 Non-UCI Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

Male Eddy Merckx Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — Male Eddy Merckx Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — 12 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 19 to 34 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 19 to 34 Time Trial

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 35 to 39 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 35 to 39 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 40 to 44 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 40 to 44 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 45 to 49 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 45 to 49 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 50 to 54 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 50 to 54 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 55 to 59 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 55 to 59 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 60 to 64 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 60 to 64 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 65 to 69 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 65 to 69 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 70 to 74 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 70 to 74 Time Trial

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 75 to 79 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 75 to 79 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Female Age 80+ Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Female Age 80+ Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 19 to 34 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 19 to 34 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 35 to 39 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 35 to 39 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 40 to 44 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 40 to 44 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 45 to 49 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 45 to 49 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 50 to 54 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 50 to 54 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 55 to 59 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 55 to 59 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 60 to 64 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 60 to 64 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 65 to 69 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 65 to 69 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 70 to 74 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 70 to 74 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 75 to 79 Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 75 to 79 Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

UCI Male Age 80+ Time Trial

May 16, 2026

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Distance — UCI Male Age 80+ Time Trial

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:00

Female Ages 16 to 18 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

Male Ages 16 to 18 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 19 to 34 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 35 to 39 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 40 to 44 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 45 to 49 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 50 to 54 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 55 to 59 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 60 to 64 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 65 to 69 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 70 to 74 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 75 to 79 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Female Ages 80+ - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 19 to 34 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 35 to 39 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 40 to 44 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 45 to 49 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 50 to 54 - 100 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 55 to 59 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 60 to 64 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 65 to 69 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 70 to 74 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 75 to 79 - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Male Ages 80+ - 84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

UCI Qualifier - Please Select Age Group

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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07:30

ULTRA

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 126 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:39

100 Mile Challenge - Non UCI

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 100 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:42

24 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 24 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:42

44 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 44 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:42

62 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 62 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:42

84 Mile Challenge

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 84 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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07:42

Chief Ladiga Cruise - 12 Miler

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 12 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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08:00

Chief Ladiga Cruise - 25 Miler

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 25 Miles

terrain

Type — Road Cycling

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08:00

Chief Ladiga Cruise - 50 Miler

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 50 Miles

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Type — Road Cycling

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08:00

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo

About the Event

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo - What's Included

Races Offered

Female Eddy Merckx Time Trial

Handcycle Category - Time Trial

Junior 15 to 18 Non-UCI Time Trial

Junior 9 to 14 Non-UCI Time Trial

Male Eddy Merckx Time Trial

Time Trial

UCI Female Age 19 to 34 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 35 to 39 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 40 to 44 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 45 to 49 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 50 to 54 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 55 to 59 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 60 to 64 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 65 to 69 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 70 to 74 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 75 to 79 Time Trial

UCI Female Age 80+ Time Trial

UCI Male Age 19 to 34 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 35 to 39 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 40 to 44 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 45 to 49 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 50 to 54 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 55 to 59 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 60 to 64 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 65 to 69 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 70 to 74 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 75 to 79 Time Trial

UCI Male Age 80+ Time Trial

Female Ages 16 to 18 - 100 Mile Challenge

Male Ages 16 to 18 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 19 to 34 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 35 to 39 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 40 to 44 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 45 to 49 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 50 to 54 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 55 to 59 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 60 to 64 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 65 to 69 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 70 to 74 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 75 to 79 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Female Ages 80+ - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 19 to 34 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 35 to 39 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 40 to 44 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 45 to 49 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 50 to 54 - 100 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 55 to 59 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 60 to 64 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 65 to 69 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 70 to 74 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 75 to 79 - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Male Ages 80+ - 84 Mile Challenge

UCI Qualifier - Please Select Age Group

ULTRA

100 Mile Challenge - Non UCI

24 Mile Challenge

44 Mile Challenge

62 Mile Challenge

84 Mile Challenge

Chief Ladiga Cruise - 12 Miler

Chief Ladiga Cruise - 25 Miler

Chief Ladiga Cruise - 50 Miler

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