Tuscaloosa, Alabama (PRWEB) January 15, 2014
Series Director Pixie Hicks announced today that ten established Alabama century rides will be participating in the 2014 Edition of the Alabama Backroads Century Series, an annual cycling series presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, AlabamaOutdoors.com, Bradford Health Services, and Woodmen of the World.
“This series of ten great rides across our State is unique,” says Hicks. “It provides an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors of Alabama, the scenic backdrops that each ride calls its own, and the chance to use all of your senses to enjoy our wonderful State from the saddle of a bicycle.”
The Backroads Series has several stated goals. It seeks to promote the growth and development of long-distance cycling in the State of Alabama, to encourage participation in established Alabama century rides, to recognize and reward individual cyclists for their accomplishments, and to benefit the charities and causes championed by each of the participating rides.
The 2014 season of the Backroads Series will kick off on April 6th with the Cheaha Challenge in Jacksonville, Alabama. It will then be followed in the weeks and months thereafter by nine other century rides in different areas of the State—from the coastal plains to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. After its springtime start, the Series will continue through summer and then conclude in fall.
The longest distance option on these rides—the century—is 100 miles. For cyclists, completing a century is considered a high mark of achievement, much in the same way as a marathon is viewed by runners. In addition to the 100-mile routes, all rides in the Backroads Series offer shorter distance options as well.
“This is really a gem for cyclists,” says John Halsey, an avid cyclist who has ridden in seven of the century rides in the Backroads Series. “It is the cyclist’s answer to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Each ride offers its own unique set of challenges. On some rides, you will find exhilarating climbs, and on others, scenic vistas.”
Cyclists who participate in the Backroads Series will receive a collectible “Centurion” Finisher’s Medal for each century they complete. In addition, after completing four century rides in the Series, cyclists will receive an embroidered patch in the shape of Alabama, showing each event location.
In 2013, the Backroads Series’ inaugural year, well over 3,000 cyclists registered for Backroads Series events. Nearly 50 cyclists received patches with bragging rights to 4 centuries ridden. Another 15 cyclists completed 5-7 centuries, and one cyclist, Tony Robbins from Birmingham, pedaled over 900 miles by participating in Backroads Series events.
Says Hicks: “We are very pleased with the response we had this past year. Comments from 2013 Ride Directors include ‘Our numbers doubled!’ and ‘We were successful for the first time in five years!’ I believe that this year, the Backroads Series will only get bigger and better.”
In 2014, the ten century rides in the Backroads Series will be: Cheaha Challenge (Jacksonville, April 6), Old Howard 100 (Marion, April 12), Tour de Blue (Birmingham, April 26), TriStates 100 (Dothan, June 7), Hot Hundred (Tuscaloosa, July 26), Tannehill Ironworks Century (Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, August 9), Birmingham Bicycle Club’s 41st Annual Century (Ashville, September 6), All You Can Eat Century (Huntsville, September 20), Johnny Ray Century (Opelika, September 27), and Glassner Autumn Challenge (Montgomery, October 11).
In addition to the cycling opportunities they provide, these century rides promote awareness of, and are an important funding source for, various charitable and local causes. The Sowing Seeds of Hope, the Urology Health Foundation, the Dawn Pitchford Fund, the Tuscaloosa Mental Health Alliance, and the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s are several of the charitable organizations that will benefit from participation in the respective rides.
Dr. Thomas Moody, Director of the Tour de Blue, is very appreciative of Hicks’ efforts. “We are very excited to be part of the Backroads Series,” says Dr. Moody. “This is a wonderful way to help charities while promoting healthy lifestyles through cycling.”
Primal Wear Inc., maker of cycling apparel and a Backroads Series sponsor, will be donating a certain percentage of event jersey orders to the charities that are championed by the participating rides. “Giving is a part of our culture at Primal,” states Taylor Ross. “Last year, through the Primal Gives Back Program, we were able to donate more than $100,000 to cause related cycling events around the world and we are excited for the opportunity to help raise more funds for the events of the Alabama Backroads Century Series.”
For more information about the Backroads Series, visit http://www.alabama-backroads-cycling.com, or contact Pixie Hicks at pixdash1(at)comcast(dot)net or 205-394-6152.