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775 Park Ave NW, Jacksonville, AL 36265
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
The 12.5-mile bike course climbs 232 feet, about 19 feet a mile: flat.
| Course | Distance | Climbing | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheaha Challenge Time TrialBike, point to point | 12.5 mi | 232 ft | flat |
From the course maps the organizers publish on Ride with GPS and MapMyRun; climbing is the total gain the map reports. Courses can change between editions, so check the date on the map.
National lists computed from results, entry fees, course maps and water temperatures; they refresh through the day.
What the organizers of Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo cover on their registration page, in brief.
Schedule and packet pickup
2026 BIKE EXPO VENDORS AND INFO. Please plan to visit the vendors at our BIKEXPO – all day on. Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Bike Expo Vendor Application. The Cheaha Challenge BIKEXPO will showcase a diverse range of…
Course
The 10th Annual Cruise ride offers distances of 12, 25 or 50 miles on the Chief Ladiga rails-to-trail. There will be rest stops along the course, which is entirely on the paved bike path through Alabama's countryside, with Dugger Mountain…
Course
All route maps are current for 2026. Each link offers a downloadable route for GPS computers to use during the ride. Riders opting for the 82, 96.5, and ULTRA options will not enter the state park, as they have in years past. The 82-mile…
Parking and travel
Accommodations. Jacksonville. Hampton Inn - Jacksonville, AL (special rate for the Challenge) - This will sell out quickly! Jax State Dorms (Note that JSU will not provide linens or towels for dorms stays). Red Roof Inn. Other hotels…
Parking and travel
DIRECTIONS FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALA., TO JACKSONVILLE. Take I-20 East towards Atlanta. Take the Hwy 21 North exit (No. 185) in Anniston/Oxford. Turn left onto Hwy 21 North towards Jacksonville. Drive 14 miles until you enter the city limits of…
Rules and FAQ
2025 Ambassador Application. Thank you for your interest in our ambassador program! Answer the questions below for our team to review to pick our ambassadors for 2025. What you can expect to receive: One free entry into the 2025 event for…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
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.