The Assault on Mt. Mitchell began in 1975 as a casual ride from friends from Spartanburg, SC to the top of Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River. It has since grown into one of the best known cycling centuries in the country, though participant numbers are now limited to 800 by the National Park Service and Mt. Mitchell State Park. The annual event is organized and run by the Freewheelers of Spartanburg, a non-profit organization that promotes cycling in the region and supports other local non-profits through proceeds from the Assault.

1. The Assaults® are organized and run
by the Freewheelers of Spartanburg.
The Assault on Mt. Mitchell began in 1975,
when a group of friends led by John Bryan
decided to ride from Spartanburg, SC, to the
top of Mt. Mitchell—the highest point east
of the Mississippi River. From that casual
beginning, the annual event has become one
of the best known centuries in the country.
Part of the ride is along the Blue Ridge
Parkway and it ends at the top of Mt. Mitchell
State Park, where the number of riders is
limited by both the National Park Service and
the Mt. Mitchell State Park rules. Therefore,
the Assault on Mt. Mitchell has been limited
to 800 finishers for a number of years.
The finish line of the Assault on Mt Mitchell
Thank you for taking a moment to read about
sponsorship for the Assaults®. The Assaults
are organized and run by the Freewheelers of
Spartanburg.TheFreewheelersisanonprofit,
501-(c)4 organization that promotes cycling
and cycling safety throughout the upstate of
SouthCarolinaandwesternNorthCarolina.In
addition, the Freewheelers support multiple
non-profitorganizationsbymakingdonations
to these charities in return for volunteer
support. In 2011, the Freewheelers donated
over $8000 from the Assaults proceeds to
non-profit organizations, including The
Spartanburg Humane Society, Mobile Meals,
Mt. Mitchell State Park, and others.
For over 38 years the Assault on Mt. Mitchell
hasgrowninpopularityandfame.TheAssault
on Marion was added in 1994 allowing even
more athletes to enjoy the experience.
Today, over 1,300 riders from all over the
country participate in this annual event and
with your help we can continue to make
the Assaults one of the greatest cycling
experiences available to the public.
For more information on sponsorship
please contact the Assault’s Directors
Keenan Mullen or Angela Halstead
Email: director@theassaults.com
Phone: 864-909-4654 or 864-415-1931
Sponsorship
TheAssaults.com

2. Assaults Policies
All who complete the Assault on Mt. Mitchell
are REQUIRED to ride the buses back to
the loading and unloading zone at The Tom
Johnson Campground in Marion, or take the
new Spartanburg Direct bus. Trucks located
at the top will carry all bikes down the
mountain to either Marion or Spartanburg as
needed.
After finishing at the top of Mt. Mitchell,
you will immediately hand your bike to the
volunteers loading the trucks. Your dry
clothes bag as well as some food and drink
will be waiting for you. Then you will board
one of the buses back to Marion. There, you
will be able to enjoy the post-ride meal, either
meet someone to drive you, or take another
bus back to Spartanburg.
NO PERSONAL SAGS are allowed -
A Personal SAG is any unauthorized
vehicle traveling the same course as the
Assaults on Mt. Mitchell and Marion.
NO unauthorized vehicles are allowed
to drive on Highway 80 or the Blue
Ridge Parkway—spectator buses are
available in Marion for anyone wishing
togotothetopofMt.Mitchelltoviewthe
finish. DO NOT drive a personal vehicle
to the top of Mt. Mitchell. If identified,
your rider(s) could be disqualified.
For all of the policies visit the Assault’s
website at www.theAssaults.com.
The Assault on Mt. Mitchell The Assault
on MarionThe Assault on Mt. Mitchell has followed the
same challenging course for almost 40 years:
102.7 miles with 10,357 feet of climbing!
With 10 rest stops along the way, you will
be able to refill, refuel, and make mechanical
adjustments as needed.
Everyone from both events will line-up at
the starting line in front of the Spartanburg
Memorial Auditorium (385 N. Church St,
Spartanburg, SC. 29303).
There will be a mass start at 6:30am.
Participants will ride together to The Tom
Johnson Campground where the Assault on
Marion riders will finish. Mitchell riders then
begin the grueling 28-mile ascent to the top!
The 74.2 mile Assault on Marion began in
1994 to allow more cyclists to participate
with those riding to Mt. Mitchell. Although it
does not include the 28-mile trek to the top
of the mountain, this event is as enjoyable
and engaging as any around with its rolling
hills, multiple climbs, and compelling North
Carolina scenery. It is a wonderful challenge
for any cyclist, regardless of their skill and
experience.
Many top athletes choose to ride Marion
rather than Mitchell, attempting to
best previous personal records on this
mountainous course.
Registration
RegistrationfortheAssaultonMarionopens
on Feb. 1st, at 7:00am and remains open until
the day of the event. There is no rider limit
for this event!
Registration for the Assault on Mt. Mitchell
opens on Jan. 15th to all Freewheeler
members in good standing and on Feb.1st at
7:00am to the general public. It will close as
soon as we reach the 1000 rider limit!
Registration is only available online at
www.theAssaults.com.
This was my first Assault and your entire team made
it a fun and exciting ride. Everyone was cheerful and
eager to help. One memory in particular really stands
out and it occurred less than a half mile from the finish.
The drivers for the rental trucks the carried the bikes
back were standing on the stone retainer wall yelling
and cheering at the top of their lungs. One pointed at
me (and other riders) and yelled, “You are the Man!”
It was so personal and authentic, I can honestly say
it was just as rewarding (maybe more) than crossing
the finish line. It was unexpected and special... Thank
you again. It’s obvious that you put on a great event. It
is a memory that will be remembered and cherished.
Steve Eunpu, Great Falls, VA
Congratulations for putting on another successful
AoMM. Everything was fabulous and I very much
appreciate all the time and energy you guys spend
making sure everything fun smoothly for the riders.
It’s really one of the best rides I’ve done.
Greg Gibson
Thank you for the great ride, so well organized and
with all the super friendly people helping out!
Sebastian from Ohio
Participant Comments
For questions or to become a volunteer
please contact director@theAssaults.com.
This brochure is for general information,
dates and policies may change. Visit our
website for the most current information.