2024 Cheaha Challenge TT

2024 chetah Challenge TT Event. The Cheaha challenge was the brainchild of Mike Vickers past president of the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Club, now the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association.

Mike had a vision of the bike club holding a ride from Piedmont down Highway 9 up the scenic drive over Cheaha Mountain to Adam’s Gap and back.

My first response when Mike told me about his grand idea was: “Who in the world would want to do that?”

We were cycling together down Highway 9 early one spring morning in 1990 when I first heard his idea.

He explained to me that he wanted to establish a challenging bicycle ride up Cheaha Mountain. When he finished his description, I thought it was a rather wild idea to say the least. To ride from Piedmont, down HWY 9 (I could understand this – this area was made for cycling – long, gentle slopes, beautiful views.), up the Scenic Parkway – all the way – to the top of Cheaha Mountain. Then, down to Adam’s Gap. Then, turn around and go back. 102 miles. 8 major climbs in each direction. Over 7,000 feet of elevation gain.