The Cheaha Challenge and Bike Ride Across Georgia both offer a unique and life-changing experience for anyone daring to take on either event. Everyone has their own personal reason for stepping outside of comfort zones to complete something as difficult as these rides. Read about the journey of your fellow SCC members as they describe their personal experience.

 Although I had known of the Cheaha Challenge ride for many years, it wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to take on the SCC Cheaha Challenge 300+ mile ride. For me, the “challenge” wasn’t the Cheaha ride itself, which I had full confidence I could complete, it was riding 3 centuries back-to-back in 3 days. So I began my training for what turned out to be a 4 year journey to the most difficult cycling challenge of my 30+ year cycling career (how’s that for drama!). For those unfamiliar with the SCC Cheaha Challenge, it consists of a Century ride on the Silver Comet Trail from Atlanta to Jacksonville, Alabama on Saturday, the Cheaha Challenge (or Ultra) Century Ride on Sunday, and then the return century ride back to Atlanta for a total of either 300 miles (or 326 if doing the Ultra).

The 2017 Ride
Saturday - I was trained and ready! The ride out to Alabama on the Silver Comet Trail (SCT) was full of fun and excitement. This is actually my favorite part of the 3 day challenge. I think I got a little dehydrated because it was hot and it took a while to get back to our hotel room and I had no water.
Sunday – Cheaha Challenge Day – Started the day strong riding with a few of my SCC clubmates and was fine until the real climbing started at Horseblock Mountain at mile 30. I was totally unprepared for that and the next few hills to come. By the time I was at the top of Cheaha Mountain (3 mile climb), I was done! I decided to turn around and go back and just do the 84 mile ride. However I started having back issues and fortunately for me, Kristen Girts and Kimi
Keeton came by me in the truck with about 20 miles to go and I flagged them down and jumped in the truck for my first ever ride abandon.
Monday – I didn’t even want to look at my bicycle, I put it in the back of our SCC SAG vehicle and rode back in Obie’s van. There’s always next year.

The 2018 Ride
Saturday - This year I decided to only do the Cheaha Challenge Century on Sunday, skipping the Saturday ride out on the SCT.
Sunday – with only half the training as last year and very hot temperatures on ride day, I struggled to get to the 62 mile mark before calling it quits. That was my second ever ride abandon.
Monday – Drove my car home by myself knowing that I was totally unprepared for this year’s effort, and there’s always next year.

The 2019 Ride
Saturday – This year I decided to attempt the 300 again. I had good training miles so I felt prepared. As usual, the excitement of the ride out made for an easy century, probably ridden a little faster than I should have.
Sunday – Cheaha Challenge day – sometimes you know right from the start you are going to have a bad day, and this was that time. I struggled to maintain a 15 mph average on the mostly flat ride out to the second rest stop at 21 miles. I wanted to go back but I continued on to the 31 mile stop at Horseblock mountain, only so I could finish the day with a somewhat respectable distance of 62 miles. At least I didn’t have to jump in the SAG vehicle this time!
Monday – Rode the century back on the SCT mostly alone as day 3 of the SCC 300 challenge is every man for himself. But hey, I did it.

The 2020 Ride
There was no 2020 ride due to Covid, and I was kind of glad as my training came to a halt after my gravel bike crash in March. With lockdowns in place, I didn’t start riding again regularly for about a month so it would have been difficult to get ready for Cheaha at that point.

The 2021 Ride
This was going to be the year! After completing the training ride in April on the Cheaha course (the hard mountainous part) and planning my climbing strategy, I knew I could make it. Actually I’ve always known I could make it, it’s just that conditions were not right before, but that’s why I kept coming back because I knew I had it in me. I had good training miles this year (just 100 miles short of 2017 mileage), lots of climbing work, unfortunately had weight GAIN, up to 245 lbs this time, ugh, but I still had the confidence to do it. I skipped the Saturday ride on the SCT to save my legs and when we started the Cheaha Challenge, the legs felt great and I knew it was going to be a great day. The weather was perfect and I had my SCC Teammates alongside! At the top of Cheaha Mountain at 42 miles, I felt better than I had in previous rides but some self doubt was creeping in. Knowing I completed that training ride just 3 weeks prior gave me the confidence to keep going. Out to Adam’s gap at 50 miles and back was uneventful but the climb back up Cheaha Mountain was starting to take its toll on me. I had to stop 3 times but I made it up. At this point my confidence started to return and I knew I only had the 3 remaining shorter, but harder, climbs before I was in the clear. As expected, the remainder of the ride was mostly easy because I was so excited. It truly was a great relief and a great sense of accomplishment when I crossed that finish line! This was the only year I accepted the medal at the end because I finally completed My Cheaha Challenge! (cue Parade music)

  ​You know how you’ve heard that certain events are life-altering. That’s how I felt about Cheaha. I started the race dehydrated with an empty stomach due to pre-race nerves. I took the hills of the campus a lot faster than I should have and burned my legs out right off the bat. Within 20 minutes, we were the last cyclists of everyone there. Someone who had to turn around due to bike problems, even caught up with us and informed us we were the last ones. “Somebody’s gotta be last!” he said.

By the time I got to the second rest stop, I was in bad shape. Apparently I looked it too, because the volunteers wouldn’t leave me alone! I kept declining everything they offered me. “I just need shade!” “Can we refill your water?” Finally, something I said yes too. I could use more ice. They brought me a FREEZING cold wet cloth too. “That’s. AMAZING! Can I have another one for my legs?” Oh! The rejuvenating temperature of soaked freezing cloths! Where have these been all my life? I was able to eat most of a half of a PBJ sandwich after that. It took me several minutes to decide whether to keep going or not.

My final words before hitting the road again were “I didn’t come all this way to do 40 miles. I do 40 miles all the time where I live. We’re going to finish this thing.” The volunteers ended up cheering as we rode out. I told them I’d be back. Andrew wanted some of that chicken they were grilling too! Many of the small hills were just like where I trained at the Rockdale, Panola, and Arabia Mountain Trails. So I knew they were manageable, but I also knew I’d be walking Horseblock when I got there based on how I was feeling physically. Everything burned. It seemed even on the downhills my legs were burning. That was the dehydration talking. We began to see the 100-miler SCC members on their return trip. We hollered encouragement to Vic and the crew with him.

We had to be only about 3 more hills before Horseblock when the heat was getting to be too much for my weakened body. I felt like I was about to pass out on my bike. There were some volunteers at an intersection. It wasn’t a rest stop, just some cheerleaders. They asked if I was okay, and I said “No” so faintly they couldn’t hear me, nor could Andrew who was right behind me. I cruised over to the volunteers because it would have used too much energy to walk. The offered me water, I said I had some, but did they know how much further to Horseblock. They didn’t have a map, but they said it’s not too far, maybe 2 miles.

I said, “I knew it couldn’t be too much further. I can manage two more miles. Actually, I will take you up on that water.” I was dearly hoping it was cold, but didn’t dare look a gift horse in the mouth. It was cool!! I dumped all but two sips over my head and jersey. Things started to look a little more normal again. The aura began to disappear. I took a couple sips of water, and we headed out before I could change my mind. There was a tent with food calling my name, and the pride of the finish line to boot. Sure enough, I got to the base of that awful hill Horseblock. I pretty much came to a stop at the base. I didn’t have much left to give. Andrew rode on ahead, and I walked that entire blasted hill. A few minutes later as we were rounding the curve right before the peak, a volunteer met us walking. He offered to walk my bike for me. I thanked him, but replied “I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t do it myself.” He made an empathetic grunt, “I understand.”

We made it to the top and took some photos. I proceeded to rest and eat to my heart’s content. I finally didn’t feel queasy and ate a full lunch making use of those amazing cold cloths again. Between rest stop 2 and 1, just past the intersection where you turn, I was feeling so tired, just physically worn out. I guess that would have been around –20 miles. I noticed some vultures circling overhead a little bit ahead of us. I cracked a joke, which is rather uncharacteristic of me. “Look. The vultures are coming for me. They can sense my death.”

At this point my legs were turning as if my whole body was just on autopilot. I had found a cadence that felt robotic where I didn’t have to think. The only thing keeping me going was the promise of a cycling hat at the finish line. I kept telling myself “I didn’t come all this way to quit. By golly I’m going to get that cycling cap!” During the worst fatigue I just kept repeating “cycling cap, cycling cap, cycling cap,” in time with my cadence to get me there. That long highway was pretty easy because it was a false flat, there was an ever so slight decline helping me along. We trudged through those awful short but steep hills back to the campus. I don’t know how slow we were going, but it felt like 8mph. It was SO good to see the signs that said “Cheaha Finish” that we had been riding past all weekend, but this time seeing them for what they were! Then blast it, we had to climb that stupid hill to get to the finish line. They just HAD to throw another one in there.

We coasted in, FINALLY!!!!! I gave the camera a thumbs up! Then I looked for the prize giver-outer- person. Yes! I could see it! It was TRUE!! In her hand was a medal and a small piece of fabric that I

KNEW was the hat that I rode for. I WAS going to get a hat. Then the trickster pulled it away from me as I went to take it from her, and said “Cheaha Challenge? Or Cheaha 20?” I was a little befuddled for a minute, as I wondered “was the 62 mile a Challenge? Or just the Ultra. Oh no! Does that mean I don’t get a hat?!” But in the time it took me to realize the answer based on what I had read in the emails, Andrew replied. “Challenge.” And she gave me the prize!!! The prize that kept me in the race for the last 20 miles! I had made it!! I met my goal! I had been dehydrated without adequate nutrition, but I had met my goal, even surpassed it!
​
In the days following, I realized that Cheaha had changed me. I was more confident on my bike, and more willing to put in harder efforts to train for speed, and I was ready to go next level in my training. I now know what feat my body is capable of accomplishing, and when I meet a difficult challenge for my body, I just compare it to Cheaha and push on. Because nothing has been as difficult as Cheaha, except giving birth to children without painkillers. I’d say the two are pretty comparable.

During the Spring of 2020 I made my first visit to Griffin GA to stay with my fiancee the lovely Miss Sue. Her father kindly loaned me his bicycle to ride on, sadly it hadn't been ridden for ten years, therefore it needed some TLC and so I took it to Trek to get it fixed and struck up a relationship with the staff there. They told me about this awesome cycling club (SCC) and so when I moved out here in August I quickly signed up. I had no idea what I was in for. I was soon completely blown away by the dedication of the club officials, their organizational skills and best of all their friendship and kindness. So much so when I turned 60 on October 2nd I asked a few SCC friends to ride 60+ miles with me instead of the planned 35 club combo ride. Unknown to me, secret plans unfolded and when I turned up that Saturday morning I found that 35 people would ride with me on that 60+ ride and that there was a party with BBQ and cakes afterward, WOW. This event inspired me to buy a new bicycle and so straight after the ride I went in and ordered a Trek Madone Project One.

As I became more involved with the club Woody encouraged me to sign up for Cheaha. Knowing it was serious business I managed to convince several other members to ride their first ever centuries as we trained, such as Miss Alice, Jason and Wes. Then I signed up for the Spring Brag and rode back to back centuries for the first time ever.

When it comes to Cheaha the story really becomes about David Mills, a true gentleman and a wonderful cyclist. He had tried several times before to complete the Cheaha Challenge with its 9500 feet of climbing in 100 miles, but had not succeeded. As I had previously completed several centuries with 11,000 feet of climbing I knew the deal was to pace yourself, keep plenty in the tank for the dreaded 80 mile mark and finish strong and so I worked with Bill Taylor on that plan. Well a team of six rode the Cheaha Challenge together as a unit that day and we finished strong in a fast paceline for the last 25 miles and crossed the finish line just two seconds apart. It was worth every bit of the pain to see the smile on David's face as he received his well earned medal. What an amazing day. On a personal level I did back to back centuries on three consecutive days for the very first time and raised money for the RAF Benevolent fund in memory of my dear father. What was my reward for all this, oops I got promoted to the A Group and have been set new challenges and am loving every second. Looking back at this twelve month journey during the Covid era who would believe it, well you have to because it's real. I love this club and all it stands for.

​If there is anything positive to come from the pandemic and lock down was that because the gyms closed, it forced Alice to find other ways to stay active.  We bought her a 2014 Scattante W570 women’s road bike several years ago; however until 2020, she never spent enough time riding to become comfortable; fit-wise or with riding on the road. 
 
With this added motivation, Alice’s first ride was on March 28, 2020 and was just over12 miles, less than 500 ft of elevation and at barely a 13 m/h pace; plus, we stopped at least twice.  At that point she did not even really understand shifting on a road bike.  Over the next several months, she chased me around Henry and Butts County all the while learning what I could teach her about cycling; she really was a sponge.  Clothing, nutrition, hydration, pedaling, momentum, cycling etiquette and community were just a few areas we spent time talking about and working on.  I remember the first time she progressively shifted up a hill to maintain her momentum and the satisfaction that we both experienced was energizing.  I also recall her thinking how neat it would be to ride by some of her co-workers houses because it seemed so far from ours; but in reality, it would not have even been a 20-mile round trip.  Of all the cycling education Alice learned, the “community” was easy because Southern Crescent Cycling is full of individuals that want to instruct, encourage and just lift each other up.  Kudos to SCC!
 
So fast forward to March 2021 and one of Alice’s goals was to ride a century in less than a year; however, to get to that point, she had consistently been participating in group rides with SCC and accomplished several rides of 50, 60 and 70 miles.  Alice’s cycling conditioning was improving and she had also gained some mental toughness by being forced to complete the last 25+ miles of a metric century in a torrential down pour.  No doubt, Alice’s physical and mental conditioning was improving; but her conversion to clipless pedals probably left the biggest impression (or scars) and she used up a bucket load of Band-Aids! .
 
On March 20, 2021, Alice, Jason Adams, Ken Roberts and myself met at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle and after about 8 hours (6:48 moving), Alice completed her first century with over 5000 ft of elevation gain; goal accomplished!  She was obviously physically exhausted; but was completely overwhelmed with emotion and personal achievement.  Next was Cheaha!
To this point, Alice had never ridden in the mountains or even participated in an organized ride and really had no idea what to expect; but the encouragement, confidence and direction(s) she gained from riding with Bill Taylor, Danny Dorsey, Darren Evans, Jason, Ken gave her the motivation to at least give it a try. 
 
The Cheaha 2021 weekend started and ended with the Silver Comet ride to and from Jacksonville, Alabama which is part of the SCC Cheaha Challenge (300 miles in 3 days!).  These rides are always a highlight of the weekend and it was no different for Alice.  When she wasn’t riding with the group, she was working along side other volunteers to make sure the other riders had what they needed at the rest stops.  This is another quality exemplified by SCC; selflessness. 
 
So, on Sunday, May 16th the main event had arrived and because I had my own goals, Alice demonstrated a degree of independence and moxie that would have been completely out of character before she started cycling.  Honestly, I’ve experienced what she was about to undertake, and I figured she would give up and turn back after Horseblock or even Oh Shift; but to my surprise, and with some encouragement, she made it to the top of Cheaha Mountain State Park and back for a total of 84 miles and over 7400 ft of elevation gain!  That’s pretty amazing for someone that just a little over a year before felt like less than 13 miles and under 500 ft of elevation gain was a big deal.
 
Some people talk about life changing events or how something changes in their life that starts them on a new path; but for Alice, her accomplishments in cycling has brought out strengths that she did not even know she possessed; she’s more confident, driven, assertive and even more ambitious.  I thank God for bringing Alice and myself together over 31 years ago and now, giving us something, that together, we can enjoy some of His most beautiful handiwork.

First of all, the Cheaha Century Challenge was the hardest, most demanding, most rewarding ride I've ever done. It tested my physical, mental and spiritual fortitude like no other. I'm proud to say I am a Cheaha Century Finisher, but this achievement was not accomplished alone. Many months of hard work and preparation with a core group of SCC riders made this all possible. From weekly rides designed with varied elevation, to group strategy discussions, to words of encouragement from the entire SCC organization. Our simple takeaway – we will do this together and work as a team. Out of 9 riders in our core group, only 2 have ever ridden Cheaha with 1 looking for his first century finish after several attempts - which he accomplished this time by the way.

When the day of the event arrived, we were all confident and up for the challenge. With every segment climb, our confidence grew. By the time we made it to the top of Alabama it was both rewarding as well as daunting with the thought of descending down the back side to another gap only to have to climb to the TOP all over again. That second time up was mentally grueling. As one rider said, "it will steal your soul". Well I arrived with my soul intact, but I did leave something on that mountain that day that's for sure. At this point we felt like we've got this now - the ride to the finish is at hand. Once we left the mountains behind, we formed a tight pace line and motored to the finish - and crossed strong, together and with huge smiles. 

Thank you to the organizers of the Cheaha Challenge for an epic experience. To the entire SCC organization for all the encouragement and planning. And most importantly to my teammates Ken, Alice, Jason, David, Danny, Darren, Obie and Ashley. Proud of you ALL! Could not have done it without you. On to 2022! 

Bike Ride Across Georgia is an annual ride showcasing beautiful Georgia.  This year's route was from Lookout Mountain to Columbus with overnight stops along the way in LaFayette, Cave Spring, Carrollton, Senoia, and LaGrange.  The average mileage each day is 55-60 miles and this year's total elevation for the week was about 19,000 feet of climbing in about 362 miles.  It was a challenge for sure, especially due to a hilly, rainy start to the week with a massive thunderstorm threatening to flood everyone's tents on the first night!  But that is all a part of the adventure. 

BRAG is well organized with buses marked First Class, Indoor, or Outdoor camping for you to drop/pick up your bags each day so all you have to do is ride your bike from town to town and enjoy the scenery.  A few SCC folks did First Class BRAG where they didn't have to set up their tent or mattress each night after a hard day's ride - how nice!  Usually we stayed at a park or a school where you pick a spot to set up your tent; it is quite amazing to see all the colorful tents and bikes at the campsites.  BRAG hires shuttle buses from the campsite to the town/concert location so you just hop on a bus and soon you're enjoying the town, local restaurants, and activities.  This year's ride featured several cover bands for all types of music with a lively party every night.  

My absolute favorite part about BRAG though was the people.  Along the way, you meet and talk to so many different cyclists from all over the country (and other countries) who just love to ride.  The level of encouragement and kindness I saw on BRAG is one reason I plan to go back and do it again next year (and hopefully meet some of my new friends again)!  It was a fantastic experience and if you don't want to do the full 7 days, you can do BRAG Lite, where you ride the first half or the last half of the week.  

SCC was a fundamental part of my success in BRAG this year as I re-started cycling this April after a two year break - I had about a month and a half to train for the week long bike tour.  SCC took me in with open arms and gave me a safe place to grow and develop my cycling abilities.  During BRAG, I rode a couple days with folks from my new SCC family where we shared laughter, accomplishments, and companionship along the ride.  Group rides with SCC have made me a stronger, safer, more capable rider than I ever thought I could be and I am beyond grateful to this club and its amazing members for that.  I can't speak highly enough of SCC or my BRAG experience.  Happy cycling!

Have a story you'd like to share? Please send it to info@bikescc.org

Southern Crescent Cycling was well represented in the 2019 Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Speedway Spin. The club brought 14 riders and raised $925 for the children's hospital. The criterium-inspired course consisted of laps on the Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR track, plus the road outside the speedway. Distance options included 15, 30, and 60 miles. We hope you will join us next year!!