Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo
- Date Sat 16th May 2026 - Sun 17th May 2026
- Time 7:00AM CDT
- Location Jacksonville, Alabama
- Price $22.20 - $91.10
- Races 62 races
- Distances Ultra
Event summary
Whether you're racing towards a personal best or simply enjoying the camaraderie of fellow cyclists, the Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo provides an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of cycling. Enjoy pre-ride festivities, fully stocked rest stops, and a fantastic post-ride meal as you share stories with riders from across the nation and beyond. With its stunning scenery, competitive aspects, and strong sense of community, the Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo is a must-attend event for cycling enthusiasts in 2026!
Organiser's Description
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 EFFINAS 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 COOTERS 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 JSUS 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
-
Ultra
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:39AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Qualifier - Please Select Age Group
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
100 Mile Challenge - Non UCI
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:42AM CDT)
$91.10
-
84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:42AM CDT)
$91.10
-
62 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:42AM CDT)
$91.10
-
44 Mile Challenge
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:42AM CDT)
$64.60
-
24 Mile Challenge
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:42AM CDT)
$64.60
-
Chief Ladiga Cruise - 50 Miler
Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Chief Ladiga Cruise - 25 Miler
Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Chief Ladiga Cruise - 12 Miler
Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Male Ages 16 to 18 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
Female Ages 16 to 18 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 19 to 34 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 19 to 34 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 35 to 39 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 35 to 39 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 40 to 44 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 40 to 44 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 45 to 49 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 45 to 49 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 50 to 54 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 50 to 54 - 100 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 55 to 59 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 55 to 59 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 60 to 64 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 60 to 64 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 65 to 69 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 65 to 69 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 70 to 74 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 70 to 74 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 75 to 79 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 75 to 79 - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Male Ages 80+ - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
UCI Female Ages 80+ - 84 Mile Challenge
Incl. $6.10 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 17th May 2026 (7:30AM CDT)
$91.10
-
Junior 9 to 14 Non-UCI Time Trial
Incl. $2.20 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$22.20
-
Junior 15 to 18 Non-UCI Time Trial
Incl. $2.20 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$22.20
-
Male Eddy Merckx Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Female Eddy Merckx Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 19 to 34 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 19 to 34 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 35 to 39 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 35 to 39 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 40 to 44 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 40 to 44 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 45 to 49 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 45 to 49 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 50 to 54 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 50 to 54 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 55 to 59 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 55 to 59 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 60 to 64 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 60 to 64 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 65 to 69 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 65 to 69 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 70 to 74 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 70 to 74 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 75 to 79 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 75 to 79 Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Male Age 80+ Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
UCI Female Age 80+ Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
-
Handcycle Category - Time Trial
Incl. $3.40 Fee
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$43.40
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775 Park Ave NW, Jacksonville, 36265, AL, United States
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Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo
