The Challenge began in 1983 with 18 riders and was headquartered at Wabasis Lake Park near Grand Rapids, Michigan. This first event was generated by Diane Obermeyer as a tribute to those who crewed during her National Individual Record ride the previous year. The majority of the riders during this first year were members of the Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club, the former host of this event.

In 1984, the event moved to the Spartan Stores complex in Byron Center. That year it attracted 160 riders from throughout the Midwest. In 1985, the National 24-Hour Challenge moved to Douglas Walker Park and 282 riders competed. Since 1985, the event experienced continued growth in the number of participants as well as the number of states represented. In 1999, due to road construction and population growth, the event moved to Kent City. In 2000, more road construction necessitated another move and the present location of Middleville in Barry County was chosen. The advantage of the Middleville site is the lower volume of traffic. The facilities of the high school include increased parking area, showers, cafeteria and gymnasium.

The National 24-Hour Challenge has become the largest event of its kind in the U.S. Each year, riders from over 20 states participate. Since its inception, cyclists have entered from 45 of the 50 states, as well as Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, New Zealand and Sweden. As of 2006, N24HC total mileage is approaching the 2 million mark - 1,926,874.1 miles.

Middleville's population will increase by about 1,500 when the National 24-Hour Challenge comes to town. Bicyclists and their crews will begin arriving on Friday afternoon for number pickup. Many sponsors of the event participate in a Product Display of the newest items. Photo albums from previous events are available. The walls are papered with lists of riders by name, category and number.

The Sports Boosters Club of Thornapple-Kellogg High School put on a Spaghetti Dinner on Friday night, a Saturday morning pancake breakfast and offer concessions and ice on Saturday. The Friday dinner is also a chance for the riders to socialize before the event. For riders who have done this event many years, it is a reunion. There are always new faces, first timers looking for advice on what to expect. It is also an opportunity for Middleville to get to know a little about the people who undertake the physical and mental challenge.

Why would a bicyclist try to ride for 24 hours? Beginning bicyclists find a ten mile bicycle ride is just about right for some nice recreational exercise. It's good outdoor fun.. But like any activity, the more you do it, the better you become. Ten miles soon builds into 20, 40, and up. For bicycling enthusiasts all over the country, 100 miles is a nice Saturday or Sunday "century" ride.

Cycling, like other sports and recreations can become addicting. Once bicyclists are able to do a century, some might try a double century. For others the next step might be to see how far they can go in a day. Not everyone can complete in the Olympics, but most everyone can set a goal and try to achieve it.

Maybe that explains why people like Jim Hlavka, of Racine, WI, Richard Lawrence, of Lexington, NC, Rob Schaller of Folsom, CA, Richard Weis of Conway MA, Nancy and John Guth of Stafford, VA, Isabelle Sheardown of Cookstown, Ontario, Canada come year after year to the National 24-Hour Challenge.

These bicyclists are not necessarily elite athletes. Ministers, college professors, doctors, assembly line workers, washer repairmen, housewives, and bicyclists from all walks of life have participated. "Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary goals. You don't have to be elite to be successful.", said Michael Shermer of La Canada, California in 1988.

The participants ride for medals in 5 year solo age classes, 18 to 70+, both male and female, as well as 3 tandem classes and 2 recumbent classes. Enameled mileage pins, in 50 mile increments, reward riders who ride over 200 miles. Riders who return and accumulate 1,000 miles in the event, earn a 1000 Mile Jersey. As of 2006, 428 riders have completed 1,000 miles, 112 have reached the 2,000 mile mark, 39 have over 3,000 miles, 14 over 4,000 miles, 8 over 5,000 miles and 1 rider has over 8,000 miles. James Hlavka, of Racine,Wisconsin, has ridden the event 22 times and has 8,479.9 total miles. While all riders get their names in the event's Record Book, some riders set their sights on a Personal Best, an age group record, winning the event or breaking the overall record.

The event begins at 8:00 am on Saturday. One of the traditions of the event is having a bagpipe band at the start! Participants leave on loop of 126.7 rolling to hilly miles, scenic route through Barry County which has three Checkpoints. After the riders depart, the crews leave on an alternate route to meet their riders at the various Checkpoints. Then, the only sounds at Thornapple- Kellogg High School are from the Amateur Radio Communications Group, using a computer global positioning program and base radio to keep contact with the lead car.

After returning in the afternoon, the bicyclists cycle a 23.7 mile rolling loop that goes through the Gun Lake Recreation area. From evening to 8:00 am Sunday morning, they will ride an 7.5 mile fairly flat night loop beginning and ending at Thornapple-Kellogg High School. All Checkpoints are well stocked with quality fruit from Spartan Stores. The riding finishes at 8:00 am and riders are treated to breakfast provided by McDonald's of Caledonia.

An award ceremony begins at 9:00 am with door prizes that were displayed by Product Sponsors on Friday night. Medals are awarded and the traditional Siegel Silver bowls are presented to the top mileage male and female rider.

While many of the riders say, "I'll never do that again", most begin planning very soon how they will improve on their Personal Best next year!