2009 Cheaha Century Challenge Comments
"Love the ride its my second time but this year 09 road was bad hope they will fix it next year."
Tom
Jackson, TN
"My first time from Peidmont, I do this from Heflin from time to time. Very tough ride, but I got in just before the tumult. Great organization, great Rest Stops. Will be back next year!"
Clinton Slayton
Homewood, AL
"As a new rider (almost exactly one year on the bike) this was my first Cheaha Challenge; so my goal was to simply finish 102. However, making it to the top of Cheaha and back to complete the 88 just in advance of the weather turning ugly was almost as rewarding as completing the full century. My son and I will be back next year in better shape and the hope that the weather will be more cooperative. Thank you to all of the volunteers for making this a very well organized event! Do you think you guys could do something about all those steep climbs?"
Donald Kelly
Trussville, AL
"The Cheaha Challenge was the icing on the cake! We spent the whole weekend up in Anniston/Piedmont and had a blast. Spent all day Saturday at the festival and did the Challenge on Sunday. Everyone was extremely friendly from the hotels and restuarants. The Challenge itself was the best ride I've ever done. Everyone was so "into" it. People along the course and at the rest stops really cared, and that made all the difference. Thank you to all and can't wait till next year!"
Paul Logan
Shalimar, FL
"Thanks to all the volunteers. The spaghetti at the end of the ride was the best I have ever had. Can't wait to next year."
Joe Salter
Heflin, AL
"I finished another great Cheaha Challenge Century. We fought a bit of a headwind going out this year, but it was cloudy and a little cooler. The sags and your volunteers were awesome! We camped out at Piedmont Center Saturday night, thanks again for that option. It's nice to just get up, eat breakfast, and line up for the ride. My only suggestion is to take race numbers and splits at Adams Gap? The results are skewed, because not everyone listed in the results made it out that far. Have a great summer! We'll be back next year!"
James Adams
Fort Walton Beach, FL
"I'd like to thank ALL the volunteers who make the Cheaha Challenge possible. Their warmth and friendliness is what keeps me driving from Northeast Tennessee year after year to do the ride. Keep up the good work!"
Richard Carter
Kingsport, Tennessee
"Thanks all as we travelled from Canada and had no idea what we were in for. From the start of the race to the end was great. Thanks to all that worked hard at the sag stops best peanut butter and jam sandwiches ever. We rode the 3 State in TN Saturday and everyone there said the Cheaha was not as good. We were not looking forward to it as the Country Inn cancelled our room and advised they had damage. They were not willing to help us find another room so luckily we were able to get one last minute. When we rolled into town Saturday night people were more than willing to direct us in the right direction. We are now in Florida riding for three weeks and still have great memories of Alabama. We will be back to ride this again next year and can now say it is a top knotch ride. PS the Country Inn will not get any business in any Country from us again."
Gavin Grant
Desbarats Ontario Canada
"This was my first time to do the Cheaha Challenge. I made it to Cheaha Mountain (4th rest stop) and felt like it was a major accoomplishment! I'll be back next year to do the full century! The rest stops were great and support vehicles were everywhere. What a beautiful and fun ride!"
Cathy Cross
Tallahassee, FL
"Once asgain you have raised the benchmark standard for a cycling weekend despite the weather. I brought friends from Florida and they said this event is better than the Athens Twilight!"
Matt Crouse
Tallahassee, FL
"My toughest ride ever! Best supported ride ever!The oranges and bananas and fluids and cheering kept me plugging. And thanks for rescueing us from the tornado."
Shelton Beaird
Arab GA
"Definitely one of the best rides in the south! The steady climb includes several rolling hills making this one of the most challenging courses I have ridden. The staff and volunteers did an excellent job organizing this ride. Best of all, there was very little traffic and several police and support vehicles thought the course. Thanks to everyone involved for putting together an excellent event. I will definitely be back next year!"
Jeff Pilato
Atlanta GA
"This was my second year for me and my son-in-law ride the Cheaha Challenge. We come over early Saturday afternoon to enjoy the Noble Street Festival and bike racing. The Cheaha Challenge is the best organized ride I do each year. Great volunteers and a beautiful route which is difficult but very rewarding. We will be back next year."
Don Hall
Dunwoody, GA
"I wanted to thank you for holding such an awesome event this past weekend. I completed the 102 mile grueling ride in 7 1/2 hours. We made it 45 minutes before the storm came through. Our experience was first class, from the volunteers at the rest stops, Bob's Bikes that fixed a flat in our group, and the breakfast and lunch at the civic center."
Kevin Voyles
Auburn, AL
"Thanks to the good people and volunteers from Piedmont and surrounding communities for their generous support of the riders. You folks rock, you make it happen - you make this a jewel of ride events."
Al
Marietta, GA
"This was a very well organized event with dedicated caring volunteer groups. The 102 mile route was as challenging as expected with beautiful views surrounding the riders throughout the course. For as much suffering as I went through climbing those steep grades; I sure did enjoy myself. I'll be back for sure."
George Mann
Auburn, AL
"This was my fifth Cheaha Challenge and, as always, it was a great experience. Just when I thought the CCC team couldn't do a better job of running this event, the weather situation came along this year and you guys raised your game to the next level. Thanks for all that you and your team do to make this event fun and safe for all of us. See you next year."
Rusty Dorr
"Once again, another great job, awesome event! A special thanks to the volunteers who manned the street intersections in town as we returned from the ride. A very worthwhile safety addition to this years ride. Thanks to all."
Paul Weaver
Northport, AL
"The volunteers did a fantastic job as always and were always happy to see the riders. I do believe that the front riders surprised the aid stations because they weren't ready for us when we came by, causing us to miss water in order to stay with the group. Also, coming into the town was pretty sketchy because the crossing guards weren't watching for the cyclists and we had to navigate traffic even though the guards were there talking and not stopping the cars. The event was great as always and I'll continue to come back each year. I felt pretty safe for most of the ride and enjoyed the weather that you served up for us. Enjoy your headwinds."
Will Fyfe
Huntsville, AL
"This was only 3rd major ride since I've started riding a road bike and was probably the most well organized and supported events I've participated in. My helmet is off to all the volunteers and sponsors that helped to make this ride one of the most fun I've ridden. For only my 3rd century event I was able to complete my longest ride to date of just under 48 miles. I plan on being back next year with a goal of reaching rest stop #3. Thanks again for putting on a great event!"
Matt Butler
Birmingham, AL
"Super ride...great support...and that is from someone who felt sick most of the ride! Great job."
Richard L. Anderson
Enterprise, Alabama
"Absolutely, the hardest thing that I have ever done. The rest stops and staff were wonderful. I'm very disappointed that I did not get to finish after getting through all of the tough climbs. Maybe the weather will cooperate better next year."
Chris Holman
Ralph, Alabama
"Awesome ride. All the volunteers were great. I couldn't believe the rain held off as long as it did. See ya next year."
Michel Brown
Ocean Springs, MS
"So happy to be alive at the finish. As the song says, "Hurts so good". The spaghetti was great. I'll train harder for next year."
Joe
Heflin, AL
"The ride was well-organized and supported. Everyone was friendly and we were served the best post-ride spaghetti I've had. Great route with lots of climbing."
David Scott
Murfreesboro, TN
"I have done Cheaha before, but this year I thought the staggered distance start was a touch of brilliance! In the past there have been clog ups, "wrecklets" and other mishaps due to slower riders taking off at the beginning of the pack. This start plan alleviated problems early in the ride. This seemed such a simple and effective plan. Also, as a chick riding the 102 mile course solo, I felt very secure with the amount of support on the ride. Every time I looked over my shoulder.... there was a support vehicle. Thank you!"
Kimra Traynor Herb
Chelsea, AL
"This was my first Cheaha Challenge and my first ride over 20 miles. I was able to complete the 88 mile course and had a great time. I could not have done it without all the fantastic support from the volunteers. The rest stops were awesome! Thanks to all for a great event."
Mike Heard
Birmingham, AL
"Once again a great ride. Blasted out with a large group of about 60 and we were moving right along. That is until just after the 2nd stop when the road went up. Then things got a little more serious and riders started spreading out everywhere. I stopped at the 3rd rest stop and had great fun joking, taking pictures, and talking with everyone. To everyone on the ride a big thank you to another great day on the bike. Thank you to Mike Poe for the invitation, I always brag about what a great ride the Cheaha Challenge is."
Frankie Andreu
Motor City
"It was absolutely an amazing ride,beautiful scenery and the rest stops were great all of the volunteers were very helpful and kind.Alas I didn't make it to the very top I tried but at about mile 35 everything seemed to fall apart on me . but there's always next year . and i will be back.so anyhow i want to say thanks to all the people that helped put this ride on,when you think that you are some kind of hot shot biker go do the cheaha challenge then we will see just how good or bad you really are."
David Lucas
Saraland
"I really enjoyed the ride this year. Well supported and a lot of fun, even though I had enough flat tires to last a lifetime! The amateur radio operators were helpful with pumps and keeping an eye for safety while I was broken down, and Wig saved the day with a sharp eye and a spare tube. Had to cut it short just before the last rest stop because of the tornado warnings, but that's just part of it."
Jack Smith
Millington, TN
"Wow! What a great time. That was one of the best organized event I've been to. The town was great, the ride was great, and the support was great. I would recommend it to anyone and for a $35 entry fee it's a steal. I had a great time and will do it again if I can get back out to AL. Thank you!"
John Roberts
Simi Valley, CA
"Simply outstanding, as usual! The trip back to Piedmont on Hwy 9 was made much easier by a nice tailwind - a first for me on that stretch of raod. A request for next time, it would be nice to identify the major climbs with signs. I certainly know Horseblock and Cheaha, but the other major climbs need to be identified also. Thanks for all your hard work, and I look forward to next year."
Doug Sizemore
Jasper, AL
"great ride! great support! thanks to all the volunteers and all the people who came out to ride! looking forward to next years!"
Brett
Pensacola, FL
"A great century ! Other centuries I've done are lacking in some area but the Cheaha Challenge has it all. A well organized check in, excellent rest stops, a good meal at the finish, all of which complement a safe, challenging course and fast people to ride with. Big thanks to all the volunteers and keep playing Sweet Home Alabama at the start !"
Rick Schultz
Peachtree City, AL
"Once again this was the best, Cheaha holds a special place in my heart. the volunteers are top notch, caring and really make this event what it is!!!!!"
Bobby Yancey
Oxford, AL
"This is absolutely one of the best centuries in the country. To Mike Poe and all the wonderful people that help to put on this great ride - THANKS!"
Steve Phillips
Kimberly, AL
"This year was my first year to ride the cheaha challenge, also my firt year riding road bikes, and I had an amazing time. Thanks so much to the volenters couldnt have done it without them.I rode 88 miles this time, next year i will do 100 for sure."
Sam Porter
Birmingham, AL
"The volunteers @ stops 3,4 were great and the weather held off and plenty of food. I'll be back next year."
Scott Whitney
Marietta, GA
"About the Cheaha Challenge Race: I have been at a different century the last two years but decided to do this one this year, I am am glad to say that I am happy I did this one this year. The support was great!!! All the rest stops were well done and all the volunteers should commended for the great job they did. Really cool to see the "Devil" at rest stop 3. I was looking for "Angels" coming up the backside. The after ride meal was excellent, one of the best! Thanks for everything, I will be back! Don Bemowski "Team Bonk."
Don Bemowski
Birmingham, AL