Challenge riding - Definition and Overview

Challenge riding is a form of cycling where the riders challenge themselves rather than each other. Some challenge rides are charity events or pledge rides. Others occur simply for the sake of the challenge. Most challenge rides are open to all comers, but a few require qualification to attend.

An example of a website featuring lists of challenge rides includes Active.com (http://active.com/century_challenge/)

Challenge rides often have lengths of round, impressive sounding numbers like 100K (aka metric century), 100 miles (century), 200K (double metric century), etc., each of which is to be completed in a single day. Alternatively they start and end at interesting locations like the Los Angeles to San Francisco AIDS/LifeCycle (http://www.aidslifecycle.org/). Another popular class of ride is a multi-day trip that spans a state or province, such as RAGBRAI in Iowa.

Challenge rides may be single day or multi-day. Multi-day rides can be differentiated into ones where lodging is provided or not. In the latter case, most rides will include a vehicle to carry your tent, clothing, food, etc.

List of challenge rides

• Australia
  • Audax Australia website (http://www.audax.org.au/)
• Canada
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Northcountry Challenge website (http://www.canamwheelers.com/northcountry.html)
  • Nova Scotia
    • Lighthouse Tour website (http://www.canamwheelers.com/lighthouse.html)
• Mexico
  • Riviera Maya Bike Adventure website (http://www.bikeadventure.riviera-maya.com.mx/)
• United Kingdom
  • Audax UK website (http://www.audax.uk.net)
  • Bike Events website (http://www.bike-events.com/)
  • Cyclists Touring Club website (http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3415)
• United States
  • Alabama
    • Bicycle Across Magnificent Alabama website (http://www.bikebama.com/)
  • California
    • AIDS/LifeCycle website (http://www.aidslifecycle.org/)
    • Mount Hamilton Challenge website (http://hillsidegraphics.com/hamilton-challenge/)
  • Colorado
    • Bicycle Tour of Colorado website (http://www.bicycletourcolorado.com/)
    • Ride the Rockies website (http://www.ridetherockies.com/)
  • Delaware
    • Lewes Delaware Weekend website (http://www.bikepptc.org/special_events.html)
    • Ride for the Feast website (http://www.mfeast.org/)
  • Florida
    • Bike Florida website (http://www.bikeflorida.org/)
  • Georgia
    • Bicycle Ride Across Georgia website (http://www.brag.org/)
  • Iowa
    • RAGBRAI website (http://www.ragbrai.org/)
  • Maryland
    • Chesapeake Bay Asthma Ride Bike Tour website (http://www.marylandlung.org/events/chesbay.htm)
    • Cycle Across Maryland website (http://www.onelesscar.org/CAM_2004/cam_info.htm)
    • MS 150 Tour de Shore website (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MDM/event/event_detail.asp?e=87)
    • St. Michael's Weekend website (http://www.bikepptc.org/special_events.html)
  • Massachusetts
    • Mount Greylock Challenge website (http://berkshirecycling.tripod.com/rides/id4.html)
  • Minnesota
    • Habitat500 website (http://www.habitat500.org/pages/1/index.htm)
  • Missouri
    • Katy Trail Ride website (http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html)
  • New York
    • Bon Ton Roulet website (http://bontonroulet.com/)
    • Ride for Research website (http://www.rideforresearch.org/)
  • North Carolina
    • Cycle North Carolina's Spring Retreat website (http://www.ncsports.org/CycleNorthCarolina/)
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pennsylvania Greenway Sojourn website (http://www.railtrails.org/field/pennsylvania/active_pages/sojourn/splash.asp)
  • Tennessee
    • Bike Ride Across Tennessee website (http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/BRAT/)
  • Virginia
    • Bike Virginia website (http://www.bikevirginia.org/index.html)
  • Washington
    • Trek Tri-Island website (http://www.alaw.org/support_alaw/trek_tri_island/)
  • Wisconsin
    • AIDS Network Cycles Together (ACT) website (http://www.actride.org/)
    • Bike Northwoods Tour website (http://www.bikenorthwoods.com/)
    • Door County Century website (http://doorcountycentury.tripod.com/)
    • GRABAAWR/SAGBRAW website (http://www.grabaawr.com/)
    • Horribly Hilly Hundreds website (http://www.horriblyhilly.com)
    • MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour website (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/WIG/event/event_detail.asp?e=6137)
    • Wright Stuff Century website (http://www.bombaybicycle.org/wrightstuff.htm)
  • Multi-State
    • MOOSA Tour (ME, NH, VT) website (http://www.canamwheelers.com/moosa.html)
• Multi-Nation
  • Trek Tri-Island (WA, BC) website (http://www.alaw.org/support_alaw/trek_tri_island/)
• Other
  • Pete and Ed's list website (http://peteandedbooks.com/brides.htm)
  • National Bicycle Tour Directors Association website (http://www.nbtda.com/) search (http://www.nbtda.com/SearchTour.asp)
  • Yahoo: Cycling / Tours and Events website (http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/Cycling/Tours_and_Events/)

See also

• bicycle touring