Alabama Backroads Century Series Announces 2016 Events

In Its 4th Year, The Series Offers 13 Bicycling Events, Promoting and Serving Charities And Causes Across The State

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, February 10, 2016

Series Director, Pixie Hicks announced that again 13 well-established and supported bicycle rides would be included in this year’s Alabama Backroads Century Series. The Presenting Sponsor, Buffalo Rock/Pepsi with Supporting Sponsors, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Primal Wear Sporting Apparel, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama kick off the Series with equipment and apparel to be shared by all participating events.

“As far as we have seen, no other state offers a cycling series quite like this.” said Hicks. “I believe our success is the result of recognizing and rewarding individuals for their accomplishments.” After each century (100-mile) ride, participants are awarded a quality and collectible Centurion’s medal and photographed for the website. “We frequently have a photographer on the road too, so after each event hundreds of photos are posted on the website and our social media.” After pedaling 4 centuries, an embroidered patch in the shape of Alabama is awarded. The patch indicates locations of each of the 13 rides. As of 2015, a CHAMPION’S jersey is awarded anyone doing 10 or more of the 100-mile routes.

Currently a database of nearly 5,000 contacts is used to share news through a newsletter service. The Series website offers a page for each event, showing registration, website, and social media links as well as ride day schedules, host hotels, and downloadable route maps.

The 2016 Series kicks off with Cyclepath’s Challenge in Monroeville. In their first year as part of the Series, their numbers increased from 80 to 188 with an economic impact of $152,000. Follow-up surveys by the College of Business, Auburn Montgomery show a total economic impact across the state of $4,219,970.

“We are happy to be adding the WC Handy 100, which is part of the WC Handy Festival in Florence, allowing the Series to reach another corner of the state. The event furthest south is our TriStates 100 in Dothan, drawing cyclists from Alabama, Georgia and Florida.” In 2015, Tuscaloosa’s Hot Hundred was the largest in the Series with over 600 bicyclists from 14 states."

In addition to the cycling opportunities they provide, the events promote awareness of, and are an important funding source for various charitable causes across the state. Examples are Moody’s Tour de Blue, which benefits the Urology Health Foundation, Tuscaloosa’s HOT HUNDRED funding the Mental Health Alliance, OLD HOWARD 100 supporting Sowing Seeds of Hope, and North Jefferson’s Century funding the International Foundation for CDKL5 Research.

Date	Event	Location	Routes	Diff	Type	My Rides
Apr 02	Cyclepaths Challenge	Monroeville, Alabama, USA	10, 30, 62, 107 miles	C	CENTURY
Apr 09	Tour Autauga	Prattville, Alabama, USA	19, 37, 62, 101 miles	D	CENTURY
Apr 16	Old Howard 100	Marion, Alabama, USA	34, 43, 75,101 miles	C	CENTURY
Apr 30	Tour de Blue	Moody (Birmingham), Alabama, USA	50,76,101 miles	D	CENTURY
May 15	Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo	Jacksonville, Alabama, USA	26,47,66, 88,102,124 miles	F	GRANFONDO
Jun 04	TriStates 100	Dothan, Alabama, USA	25,45,62,100 miles	C	CENTURY
Jul 23	WC Handy Bike Ride	Florence, Alabama, USA	21, 39, 61, 70, 100, 107 miles	D	CENTURY
Jul 30	Hot Hundred	Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA	29,36,52,71,103 miles	D	CENTURY
Aug 27	North Jefferson Century	Gardendale, Alabama, USA	33, 66, 100 miles	D	CENTURY
Sep 10	Birmingham Bicycle Clubs 43rd Annual Century	Ashville, Alabama, USA	25, 50, 75, 100 miles	C	CENTURY
Sep 17	All You Can Eat Century	Gurley, Alabama, USA	36,52,62,100 miles	C	CENTURY
Sep 24	Johnny Ray Century	Opelika, Alabama, USA	20, 34, 63, 105 miles	C	CENTURY
Oct 08	Glassner Autumn Challenge	Pintlala, Alabama, USA	30,55,62,100 miles	D	CENTURY

For more information about the Backroads Series, visit alabama-backroads-cycling.com.

On Gran Fondo Guide, please type "alabamabackroads" into the search to discover all the events and history of this well recognized and respected series of events across the Southeastern U.S.