Introducing the 2013 Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series!!

Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, Bradford Health Services, and Alabama Outdoors the 2013 Alabama Backroads Century Series is a series of 10 great centuries located throughout the State of Alabama used to promote the growth and development of long distance cycling in the state of Alabama, encourage participation in established Alabama century (100 mile) rides, recognize and reward individual cyclists for their accomplishments, and benefit the charities and advocacy efforts supported by each of these events.  The series also provides a great opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors Alabama and the scenic and unique backdrops that each ride calls it’s own.  As a participant you are encouraged to ride and complete as many of the series centuries as possible.  Each century will have their own unique medal designed and awarded to each participant that meets the challenge of riding 100 miles.  If you can complete at least 4 of the 10 centuries in the series you will be awarded a special patch by the Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series.  Some may make it a goal to complete 1,000 miles of the best centuries the state has to offer. Come join the challenge and see what the backroads of Alabama have to offer.  You will be amazed at the diversity of the terrain and the beauty that our state offers.  Now, we would like to announce the 10 rides of the series.

April 6th, 2013 11th Annual TriStates 100 Century to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham.  The series kickoff TriStates 100, located in Dothan, Alabama, began as a spur of the moment idea and in the 11 years since has become the premiere ride in SouthEast Alabama and also a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Alabama.  In our first 10 years, because of the support of our great riders and sponsors, we have been able to donate upwards of $225 thousand dollars to the Children’s Hospital.  The course is a perfect early season course and is a great way to start training for some of the more challenging rides in the series.  It’s unique in that it is the only century ride of the series that expands three great states, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.  Where else can you cross into three states on one bike ride?  The course is scenic and challenging without being difficult.  As usual, there will be sag support along with stocked and manned rest stops, along with showers at completion.  Visit www.tristates100.com

April 13th, 2013 Tannehill IRONWORKS Century, McCalla, Alabama.  The second event in the series features smooth pavement, nice scenery and a good mix of hills. Rest stops will offer drinks, snacks, real restrooms, and sags will be on patrol.  The century course includes a scenic tour looping around the Montevallo area, including Orr Park’s noted tree carvings, the American Village historical center, a trip up & down Pea Ridge, and another stop by Eclipse before returning via Helena FD #2 to Tannehill.  Visit www.bump.org

April 20th, 2013 OLD HOWARD 100.  The third ride in the series of 10, located in Marion, Alabama, the OLD HOWARD 100 features a ride through three counties in Alabama’s Black Belt sponsored by Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences. This year’s route will include Selma, with the final rest stop at the Selma Public Library just a few blocks from the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge. Proceeds from the ride will benefit Sowing Seeds of Hope, a partnership between Perry County and Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship that seeks to improve the quality of life and work in Perry County through improved educational opportunities, health care, tourism, transportation and economic development.   Visit www.howard.samford.edu/oldhoward

April 21st, 2013 CHEAHA CHALLENGE.  The fourth ride of the series is the infamous CHEAHA CHALLENGE.  The CHEAHA century ride begins in Piedmont, Alabama. The terrain of the Cheaha Challenge course is rolling hills for the first 21 miles. The route then follows The Talladega Scenic Drive for approximately 30 miles-all of which is in the national forest with very little traffic, no dogs, no turns, no stop signs, no houses, and no traffic lights. It is in this section that riders are treated to beautiful vistas of the mountains and valleys in this region and riders climb to the highest point in Alabama.  Come join us at the CHEAHA Challenge, a top 10 event in the state of Alabama as selected by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel in 2006, 2010, and 2012.  A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Chief Ladiga Trail, the longest paved rail trail in the U.S.  Visit www.cheahachallenge.com

May 11th, 2013 Annual Boll Weevil 100.  The midpoint of the series marks the annual Boll Weevil 100 located in Enterprise, Alabama.  Hosted by the Enterprise Lion’s Club, the Boll Weevil 100 century courses through the rolling hills of beautiful Coffee County.  The Boll Weevil 100 hosts wounded veteran bikers .  To sponsor a wounded veteran, please visit the website.  All profit will be used for charitable work in Alabama with the exception that all donations to the wounded veterans will be used exclusively to support the wounded veterans.  Visit www.enterpriselionsclub.com/boll-weevil-100/information

July 27th, 2013 HOT HUNDRED.  The sixth century in the series and maybe the hottest, is the HOT HUNDRED, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  The HOT HUNDRED made the 2011 list of Best Bike Rides in America in Spryliving.com.  The century ride begins with a police escort through the beautiful campus of the University of Alabama, and then the century riders will be introduced to the rolling hills of West Central Alabama, enjoying the remote and lightly traveled back-roads of Greene County.  Ride through small communities with quaint names like Romulus, Jena, Mantua, Lewiston, Snoddy, and Ralph.  You will also enjoy beautiful views of Tuscaloosa’s Riverwalk Park and the Black Warrior River.  The HOT HUNDRED has become known for its superior on road support, and well stocked rest stops.  The HOT HUNDRED benefits the Tuscaloosa Community Mental Health Task Force and the advocacy efforts of the Druid City Bicycle Club.  Visit www.bikehothundred.wordpress.com

September 7th, 40th Birmingham Bicycle Club Century.   Join us in beautiful Ashville, Alabama for one of the most beautiful centuries in the Southeast!  All new routes for 2013.  Visit www.bhambikeclub.org

September 21st,  29th Annual All You Can Eat Century.  The eighth ride of the series is located in Gurly, Alabama hosted by the Spring City Cycling Club.  You will enjoy riding over the beautiful backroads of North Alabama and Tennessee while navigating the 109 mile challenge.  Visit www.springcity.org for more info.

September 28th, Johnny Ray Century.  The next to the last ride of the series in Opelika, Alabama is the Johnny Ray Century.  Riders will tour the lightly trafficked rural roads of Lee, Chambers, and Randolph Counties of East Alabama.  As you ride 100 mile route you will be circumnavigating the old Johnny Ray line which ran between Opelika and LaFayette. You will cross where the tracks once were as you enter LaFayette (just before the county jail) and again on Cusetta Road just before you turn left onto highway 431.  The beneficiary this year will be the Davis Phinney Foundation, helping support their mission to find the cure to Parkinson’s.

October 12th, Glassner Autumn Challenge.  The last but not least, final chance challenge of the 2013 series is the Glassner Autumn Challenge located in Pintlala, Alabama.  You will be biking the beautiful, tree-lined, rural roads of central Alabama, with mechanical support, sag wagons, and rest stops supplied with plenty of fruit, light snacks, water, and sports drinks. The century route offers moderately rolling hills. The routes will be clearly marked and will keep you on beautiful rural roads.  The ride will begin and end at Pintlala Baptist Church where a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake (and much more!) breakfast.  The Century Route takes you right by a great lunch spot – Red’s Little School House. When you return be ready for some old fashioned southern hospitality – tomato sandwiches and ice cream!  Visit www.mgmbikeclub.org/autumnchallenge