Highway 61 Challenge - 4 day bike ride from Memphis to New Orleans along the Historic Blues Highway!

Kick your racing season off with a little blues. The Highway 61 Challenge is a 4 day stage race starting in Memphis, TN and ending in New Orleans, LA.

Stage 1 - will start in Memphis, TN and take riders 115 miles south passing through Tunica, MS and finishing in Cleveland, MS. Stage 1 will be fast as it is mostly flat with only 125 ft of elevation gain and 249 ft of elevation drop.

Stage 2 - will start in Cleveland, MS and take riders 109 miles south passing through several historic cities before arriving in Historic Vicksburg, MS for the finish. Stage 2 will be another fast day as it is mostly flat with 226 ft of elevation gain and 236 ft. of elevation drop.

Stage 3 - will start in Vicksburg and test rider endurance with not only 156 miles of cycling but 2,310 ft of elevation gain and 2,398 ft of elevation drop before finishing up in Baton Rouge, LA.

Stage 4 - will start in Baton Rouge, LA and take riders 120 miles along the mighty Mississippi river, through many historic river parishes and into the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA for the finish at Audubon park. With only 72 ft of elevation gain and 108 ft of drop, this stage will be fast and scenic.

Temperatures and weather in late March can be unpredictable even as far south as New Orleans. Riders should be prepared for all weather conditions including high winds as this road travels through the heart of the delta with open cotton fields and the heart of Cajun country where riders will experience both National Forest and open swamp land.

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Time: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm