2006 Cheaha Century Challenge Comments
"I love this ride. The course is great and the support by all involved is outstanding, in fact it is the best supported ride I have ever done. I look forward to this ride every year, but unfortunately will not be able to participate in 2007 because I was unable to convince my daughter to choose any weekend but the first weekend in May for her wedding. What is the possibility of changing the date of the ride as was done last year?"
John Worsham
Trussville, AL
"What a great ride! My first century was a blast! I drove from Virginia to do this as a training ride for my Tour de Cure ride (http://tour.diabetes.org, Reston, VA on June 4th). The volunteers were terrific, the food/rest stops were great, the riders incredibly friendly. Watching the races the night before was a real treat. There was some confusion about the "buffet" dinner Saturday night. The restaurant only allowed a one-time trip instead of a true all you can eat buffet(the food was delicious anyway!). Thanks to all the sponsors & planners, the people at the rest stops, & the other riders! I'm definitely coming back. "
Jon Townson
Arlington, VA
"This was my very first Cheaha Challenge Century as an Amateur Radio volunteer. I had just taken my Technician Exam the Sunday prior to this event and received my Call Sign on the Thursday before. On the day of the event as I left my house and on my way up Mt. Cheaha I thought there would be now way that it'd take place due to the inclement weather. I heard the announcement that at first it was indefinitely delayed then it would only be about a 15 minute delay before the start. I was amazed at how quickly the first riders arrived at Rest Stop #4 at the top of the mountain. I had a really great time in helping out and will try to be there next year. My hat is off to all of the participants and organizers, it was truly an event that I'll never forget."
Tracy Stephens KI4OGZ
Anniston, AL
"This was my third century and each year I am amazed at the effort put forth to make the event such a pleasure to participate in............ "
Michael Smith
Anniston, AL
"Great job to all the volunteers and everyone involved behind the scenes to make this a fun ride. The races the night before were awesome. Only suggestion would be to have more police presence on Hwy 9 for the finishing part. One black car almost took out a 6 rider group head on that finished near the 6:30 mark. Could have been a complete disaster. A few riders had to check their shorts after that incident. Besides that, it was a memorable time. Thanks a ton."
Don Bemowski
Mountain Brook, AL
"Last year 1 week before Cheahah I broke my collarbone while training for this ride.One year later here I am all fixed up and finally getting a chance to ride the mighty Cheahah.Had a blast the ride was everything I was told it would be and more.All in all ,I did suffer less with the broken collarbone."
Vic Saad
Birmingham, AL
"Great Saturday night festival and Sunday am ride in spite of a little rain. Very well organized, super nice folks, excellent facilities, no wonder you had so many people. The best thing was that you treated us novice riders the same as everyone, and that keeps us "newbies" sticking to the training, participating in more events,which leads to buying more gear and bikes!"
Tim Benefield
Tuscaloosa, AL
"Wow! By far the best SAG I have ever seen on any organized ride. I flatted at mile 75 and a SAG car was there before I even got the old tube out. I've never seen a ride that controlled the intersections even at the end of the ride - always just the start previously. That was great! Only two suggestions - 1. Put a pump in every SAG vehicle 2. Knock the tops off some of those mountains. If my legs recover by then, I'll be back next year. By the way, every volunteer did a great job. Very impressive."
Tom
Cartersville, GA
"You all do an amazing job putting on a great event. The support team was very helpful to me at the overlook that I stopped at when my legs gave out. While I was up there recovering, I was really impressed by how they kept track of rider locations via radio. It was comforting to know that our safety was being looked after so closely. I am looking forward to coming back next year for another great weekend of cycling!"
Jonathan Sierra
LaGrange, GA
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. To all of the volunteers. You came out in the rain to help me do something that I enjoy. The ride route was great and support from the community just awsome. Thanks to the two couples just before rest stop #3 on the way back who said it's all down hill from there. Except for the climbs it was."
Jeffrey DeWeese
Lilburn, GA
"Thanks to all your hard work and that of your crew it was another great CCC. The second "C" is the most important one. Challenge is what it's all about and weather is just one of the component of that challenge. I thought that the weather was great. See you next year."
Paul
"GREAT RIDE, GREAT SUPPORT. Thanks for all you guys did for the riders. This was my first time at Cheaha. I completed the centruy, (my First century) but don't remember the last 30 miles. Now that I've actually completed the challenge, I wish I had ordered a Jersey. ANy chance I could order one now? Thanks again for everything. It was GREAT!"
Rodney Moore
"The perfect weekend-Three State on Saturday, racing in Anniston on Saturday night and Cheaha on Sunday. Thanks to all the volunteers who take a personal interest in the event and the riders. Next year the pros get a handicap though, no press coverage. Let the regular guys have their day. Sunday is devoted to hard core amateurs with their heart rates in the 190's trying to finish in the top 50. Or just finish for the first time. See you next year."
Randy Bullock
Pensacola, FL via Eastaboga, AL
"That was an awesome ride and a most memorable experience! Thanks very much to the organizers, the sponsors and all the volunteers. You all did a fantastic job! It was my first Cheaha Challenge but definately not my last."
Mike Herbst
Huntsville, AL
"Free food before and after the race. Nice folks. Good scenery. What more can you say? Everyone invovled did an outstanding job. Thanks for helping me complete one of my goals in life...I can now take a century ride off of my list."
Michael
Hoover, AL
"I'm from Wetumpka Al home of the Coosa River Challenge & Attack on Swayback. I also help out w/ both races & let me tell you your volunteers & support people was outstanding!!! Keep up the good work."
Bobby Parker
Wetumpka, AL
"The ride was fantastic. This is the fourth metric century I have done and this is the best so far. It was very well organized and the volunteers were great. I enjoyed the facilities. The shower afterwards was great. The experience here was much greater than the other metric centuries I have done. I can't wait to do the full century next year."
Patrick Perdue
Montgomery, AL
"My son, Jason, did his first century in the Challenge. I was thrilled to be there and see him finish at 6' 45" (couldn't see the seconds on the finish clock) Now, I don't see him listed in the results. He did check in at the 51 mile check point. And, I heard him talk to many riders he hooked up with or just saw along the way. Would you please check into this? He trained vigorously for this event and did a fabulous job in my opinion. Having his time officially posted is very important to him. He was racer #17 and his name is Jason Beck of Birmingham, AL. Thanks. I really enjoyed being there. Bikers are friendly people."
Jason Beck
"Thanks again for doing such a great job with the ride -- it turned into an awesome day! Even if a number of the planned starters didn't make, the awesome Cheaha volunteers sure did. The people with your organization and the folks of Piedmont are what make this ride the best. See you in '07!"
"You guys put on one heck of a century. Great event staff. everyone was greatand helpful.. Even with the foul weather, a very solid ride. I will definately do it again next year. Our Birminham group had a great time."
Chel Mitchell
Birmingham, AL
"Thanks for doing a great job again this year. Although it was a 6 hour drive from NC, I was able to talk my brother to come down this year and we had a great time. The weather was certainly an annoyance for the first hour but it was just about perfect after that. I really like the course, your event -- especially the last 20 miles if you're able to group up with a few guys. I know it takes a lot of time and effort to put these rides on and we greatly appreciate what you and the others do. We had a really nice time on Saturday night watching the pros and others ride in Anniston as well. Well done all the way around!!"
Joe Price
North Carolina
"I just wanted to say a big thanks and give major kudos for putting on a great event. This was my second ever century and my first Cheaha Challenge. I was amazed a the level of volunteerism and organization. The support was incredible and I never had need of anything. Please extend my thanks to all of the volunteers and organizers. I will definitely be back in 2007."
Mal Thompson
Birmingham, AL
"I had a great time. This was my first trip. I'll be back! This support was great. The Police car playing "Bad Boys" was especially uplifting:) Thanks for everything."
Lee Gann
Rio Rancho, NM
"Excellent ride. I only did 66 mi., but, got a good feel for next year when I plan to do the entire 102 mi. I was passed by three of the 102 mi. riders, all I can say to that is WOW! I hope to join that level some day."
Robert Ray
Weaver, AL
"Once again you pulled off another fantastic weekend. Despite the moist start to the ride Sunday the entire weeekend was terrific! As a former CCC volunteer and now enthusiastic particpant I can honestly say this is one of the best organized and managed events bar none. Keep up the great work and I will see you next year and the next and the next..."
Matt Crouse
Tallahassee, FL
"The Challenge was everything it was advertised to be. Excellent support, great roads, wonderful scenery, friendly folks, and a really tough ride. Thank you all!"
Tim Presley
Sylacauga, AL
"Despite the pouring rain I thought the ride was great. The Cheaha Crew did an awesome job of organization and rider support. Even though it was a brutal day on the bike, I had a great time and was very thankful for and impressed with all the volunteers and their hard work. Thank You I hope to see you next year."
Matt Brady
"I had a great time on the ride. The people were so nice and the rest stops were well stocked. The only two things that I would change are the rain which no one could control and better signs for finding the event. Once you have been before it is not hard but the first time the signs to get to the civic center really don't lead you to the civic center. Also when I was coming back from the 47 mile ride there was no one in the town leading you back to the finish line. I was able to see the new houses being build there but it was kind of hard getting back where I came from. I hope this helps make things even better for the next time I come. I will be back for sure."
Jody Dial
Fultondale, AL
"My first Century and I had a blast. The folks that fed us breakfast and lunch and the teams of folks at the rest stops were FANTASTIC! What a beautiful day after starting in a downpour! Awesome!"
Thomas Waters
Birmingham, AL
"Unbelieveable! As always, the organization was flawless for a ride over some of the most challenging and scenic routes in the South. From the volunteers to folks just sitting on their porches and watching, everyone had a smile and a waive! My favorite was the "Air Cheaha" rest station at the top of the mountain -- those folks were awesome. I don't know how you do it, but keep it up -- the Cheaha Challenge is permanently circled on my calendar!"
Jeff Caplan
Alpharetta, GA
"Again and Again a great ride with a great century! even the weather let up for the ride!"
Robert Dafoe
Jacksonville, AL
"Undoubtedly the best organized ride I've been on. Fantastic volunteers, we even got split times to leaders! Signs warned motorists of ride, lots of flashing lights on ambulances, service trucks etc to let folks know an event was going on. I never felt safer on a ride. Lots of sag too. Great food, lots of it. It must be great to live in a community that gets behind an event with such wholeheartedness."
Richard Elliott
Macon, GA
"We had a blast! The race was very well organized and the SAG's were excellant. Everyone was very friendly and the roads were in good condition. This is an outstanding ride!! I trained for four months and my wife signed up the night before....and we finished together. Thanks again!"
Craig and Melissa Neal
Villa Rica, GA