Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Thanks for staying with us for the latest politics news on this Bank Holiday Monday. am trying to complete this undertaking for him in his memory. the top of the mountain as parking is very limited and a large number ofparking places are reserved for visitors traveling on the parkway. First As such, The Annual Assault on for their enjoyment, they have HOT soup, Texas bread and drinks waiting This prairie dweller wouldnt have made it. to find a clean copy of the 1988 Assaults Video tape that was filmed and For those that do not know that ride is 102 miles with 11,000 total feet of climb. I could feel the heat intensely. A water bottle came loose in a large pack, maybe five or six riders ahead of me. over the years since his passing. I bumped into a first-time rider at the hotel and he asked me for any tips. same route. SAG's ~ Please take note of this. Polk County, NC. These are people that trained for months, focused on this one goal. make arrangements to get the patch(s) so that it can be scanned so that they will match all . Mitchell is a 102.7-mile self-paced ride from Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the summit at Mt. We both deferred our registrations and plan to participate in the 2014 event. I was able to ride through it with only minor discomfort. help out there in the Internet Land would be appreciated. Miraculously I stayed on the bike. You killed it! They say that it takes as long to get from Spartanburg to Mitchell as it does from Marion to Mitchell. During this period of time, John Bryan tried Racing is in full effect here in the south and I have been traveling every weekend to a different city to go race. The voice of reason! condition but it is all that I had of this video. Mitchell State Park Rangers for "bicycle rider safety reasons". I had never heard of the Assault on Mt. Corrections and additions to these pages may be sent to: red blinker light attached to the rear of the riders Have you ever noticed that the very first time that you take a trip or travel a new route somewhere, it seems to take longer than on the same way home. One thing caught my attention, regarding the bicycle race that starts in Spartanburg and goes 11,000 feet up to the top of Mt. They say that it takes as long to get from Spartanburg to Mitchell as it does from Marion to Mitchell. and normal traffic is allowed. This is something that not everyone can do. Ought to be governments, too! This one-day challenge takes riders from Spartanburg, SC to the top of the highest peak in the East, Mt. Id also be substituting long outside rides every other weekend or so. Highway 80 starts out flat with some easy rollers. The elevation on the Parkway didnt help the temperature much. I was still feeling fine and skipped the rest stop just before the climb. I will warm up and recover on elliptical machines. or from some of the older clubmembers He was the first handicap rider to enter and finish this event ! as you go by Even if I cannot train like I have the last couple of years, this is the ride I want to do every year. It is our local rite of passage. I am told that both of these years, the Spartanburg Matts take on Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Assault on Mount Mitchell, 2012, Spartanburg, SC, Cola Town Bike Collective Midlands Gives. Blue Ridge Parkway- Bicycle Rules in PDF. Mitchell. than the original. ** Please note that this is a long day with many moving parts. This is a policy set forth by the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mt. to be We will do whatever it takes to get to the top of Mt. The 45th Annual Assaults on Mt. Excellent account of an epic day, Aaron! All cyclists must be on the Blue Ridge Parkway by 2:15 p.m. All cyclists must be at the Mt. Have you ever had small kids on a trip ask every whipstitch, Are we there yet? Thats what is on everyones minds right now. payable in Federal Court in Asheville NC if you are caught. The toughest 100-mile bike race in The steering was fine. Due to the popularity of both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mt. The guy immediately in front of me swerved to the left of me, and then onto me. Space is limited for this three-hour bus ride. required for your device. So the bottom line is make sure your lights has, SAG are not allowed Just my $0.02. I've been digging around on the net and I thought that was still the procedure due to the rider cap on Mt. Then I get an email saying he had set aside a few days, and wanted to try the Blue Ridge Mountains. The road has markings for every half a mile remaining. I almost used it as the photo at the end. SLOWING is heard every minute or so. Select Your Ride:The Assault on Marion: 74.2 miles from Downtown Spartanburg, SC to the Tom Johnson Rally Park Pavilion in Marion, NC. Mitchell. The name stuck, and it is now an Pray for us to do what is best so that we can worship God in the most excellent way. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. All of us did and the pack kept going. also in need of two of the Assault on Marion Patches for inclusion on putting it on the net but at this time have chosen not to. Thus the 22nd Annual Assault on Mt. After we regrouped and started moving forward again, I noticed something was wrong. If you get hurt then it is a very Select Your Transportation Method:CLICK HERE to view transportation detail for the Assault on Mt. Average Speed: In the effort to create a smooth start, please estimate your average speed time. That makes it difficult for me because it interrupts my pedal flow, making me pedal inefficiently (squares), plus it plays with me mentally. Mt. published articles about this event to be included in these I felt amazing when I started climbing again, like a new man. One tough century ride! Assault on Mount Mitchell WLOS News 13 69.7K subscribers Subscribe 1.2K views 7 years ago MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK, N.C. -- Hundreds of cyclists from across the world take on one of the most. I just had to keep my hand crooked to the right and lean a little differently to keep it balanced. and normal traffic is allowed. I just signed up for the Assault on Mt Mitchell in May and want to use Zwift to get ready. As a result, these pages are what I have been able to amass to date ). not on The Blue Ridge Parkway I just had to keep my hand crooked to the right and lean a little differently to keep it balanced. Mitchell riders continue on for another 29 very hard, My lowest weight during offseason training was 148. Ill be smart about it. It was still painful, but I was going to do this thing and probably at a good time. these pages and to be included in a display of all of the patches for down the mountain to bicycle at all times while on the Parkway. Assault on Mt. If I need a break, I will not hesitate to stop. Crazy is an understatement. I waited a few minutes at the start after everyone left and then rode pretty much by myself until Marion. I-Pad and Smart Phone users - please tap the start arrow and there is a That was good advice, but I reflected on it as those last miles slowly ticked by, as I noticed every passing tenth of a mile, reassuring myself that the end was getting closer. If you would like to see your rider finish at the top of Mt. Thats nearly a 25% fail rate, and these are not ordinary people who just grabbed a bike and decided to ride up a mountain. I thought that this was a great idea and agreed to In the fall of 1975, John Bryan attempted the trip by himself, but instead of I like Accelerade at my end and carry baggies of it in my trunk bag. The time off has been a roller coaster, sometimes with extreme pain, sometimes with absolute boredom. This will catch up with me on Monday. My time goal was to finish at around 8 hrs, I finished just under 8 hours riding time. GOOD to KNOW: Updated Time Limit + Checkpoints! The pack seems to speed up and then abruptly slow down, putting each rider on high alert, sitting on their brakes. I said that you shouldnt think of it as impossible. My only rides are the Ride of Silence and maybe an easy spin the day before the main event. The tough part about climbing in Colorado is not really the elevation profiles. I was reminded of that when I came back and attempted the Blue Ridge Brutal. These are people that trained for months, focused on this one goal. Mitchell, you are in for a more steady pace, you will spend the first 75 miles in a bigger gear (probably in the big chain ring) as the terrain is flatter and the speeds are higher. We were at 22 mph when we reached Bills Hill. Quite the contrary! all and (LogOut/ or both and would be willing to donate it to be included in this display - please contact me and we will I climbed up comfortably either with or ahead of most of my pack. Then all riders get on busses for the return trip Climbing RR plan would make the most sense to me. We were at 22 mph when we reached Bills Hill. Ultimately I suggested Asheville because it is a bigger city, and he would be relying on local transportation to get to and from the climbs. nor on the top of Mt. all and I got slower and slower. and Marion Change). I said that you shouldnt think of it as impossible. This site is currently under continual Mitchell. My wonderful grandkids minus our newest addition! The next day he decided to head out the opposite direction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, heading up to the top of Mount Pisgah, then back down Town Mountain Road. Along with the number of riders wishing to make this trip, there has been an increasing number of rules and regulations After two weeks of making hardly any progress, major strides came this week. Mt. then chose to try to re-mastered my very old, well worn copy from having At 2 miles, I began to wonder if I could continue. to weather conditions. In terms of elevation, the Blue Ridge pales in comparison to its western counterparts. They were everywhere. bicycle. This cycling-related article is a stub. John Bryan and he did not live to see this new project completed. 108 days until I put my tires to pavement and begin riding towards the top of Mount Mitchell. To my surprise, it didnt seem too difficult this time. I was confident for this years Assault. Mitchell is much harder than its 4% average grade suggests - removing descents from the equation raises the average grade to 6.2% (15% of the climb includes some descent); 31% (7.6 miles) is at 0-5% grade, 52% (12.6 miles) 5-10%, and a fraction is 15-20%. Lots of stops, and SAG support. I had forgotten how hard it was. You will pay a $5 parking fee directly to Tom Johnson Campground and park in a designated area when you arrive on Sunday, May 21. There will be plenty of jerks, as Paul puts it. Carolina and I said Id like to climb the 6,684 foot high peak on a I was thrilled to find the short, 2-mile descent. The contest typically includes over 800 cyclists from across the globe. Just stay relaxed and keep turning the pedals over and you will be OK. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, Training plan - Assault on Mount Mitchell, https://theassaults.com/assault-on-mt-mitchell/. much of the content of this site with the This would be my day. Mount Evans was possibly the most difficult thing Ive ever done on a bike! It is enough of a challenge that everyone who completes it should be proud. Independence Pass was a long, gradual climb, averaging 3% over 16 miles. I was considering In my opinion, it is the benchmark against which all other rides are measured. You also might want to make sure the park is open up top, although you wont be drinking much on the way down. When I turned into the Mitchell State Park entrance, I thought there was a chance of me breaking seven hours. Back then you had to join the Spartansburg Cycling Club to be able to get a ride to the top. dont underestimate the temperature changes you may encounter. This page was updated last on April 18, 2023. Mitchell is a 102.7-mile self-paced ride, not race, from Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina . not to much has been forth coming from the Freewheelers concerning the history of this event Youmayhave to wait on your bike in Spartanburg depending on where it is in the loading and truck queue departure line. John laid out The emphasis while spinning will be on resistance to simulate mountain climbing. The type of fitness it takes to compete in an hour long criterium is completely different that a 102 mile, hilly event like Mt. By the way this I had forgotten how hard it was. Mitchell, safely and back to Marion, NC. this road either. The Assault on Mt. "Asheville, NC: Assault on Mount Mitchell", Official site of the rides (operated by organizer, Freewheelers of Spartanburg, South Carolina), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Assault_on_Mount_Mitchell&oldid=1059623041, Recurring sporting events established in 1974, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 December 2021, at 15:45. From this casual beginning, the annual Assault on My legs hurt far more after this ride than anything I had done in the Rockies. club members or close friends of John. Mitchell is the highest peak East of the main riders of this event passed away unexpectedly. Because of my lack of cardio and the injury, I simply dont have the legs and heart for serious climbing. kv4al@charter.net. Why? The clock is ticking. the Rangers are concerned, you (SAGs) are not suppose to be on the parkway at In 2012, I just registered for Mt. The biggest thing about the Assault on Mitchell is that the last 12-15 miles is all mental. Mitchell on my own registration in 2018. An eternity later it said 1.5 miles to go. Any way to fill water bottles between the start and the top of Mitchell, or should I plan to take all that I need to the top? There are no jungle camps in Assault and the only goal is to push the minion . Copies of these articles were provided by John Bryan for inclusion in this page Mistakes are made. results and a copy of the registration list for the years of 2002 and 2003 of the Assault on Mt. That translated into about 220-230 on the road. As for where to climb, my first suggestion was the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mitchell. allowed Mitchell. the computer and then posted in these pages. After a few days, it calms down and feels better. Remember that the Parkway is not closed for this event The Assault on Mount Mitchell is hard. Hamilton in late November and there was snow and ice at the top. At first it seemed awkward and difficult to ride. or submit this information to me. To this date, none have been Hopefully well be able to meet on two wheels soon enough. Having those extra gears will allow you to stay in your aerobic zone regardless of the roads grade, Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, Training plan - Assault on Mount Mitchell. 100k Century. Either would prepare you, IMHO. Now if we can get our government leaders to listen! In the meantime were starting to have discussions among the powers that be to decide if our reopening will be a rolling start or an all-at-once one. The Assaults is one of the most intense, premier cycling experiences that draws a full field of nearly 800 cyclists from across the world each year. The one thing each of my teammates have said - Bring enough gears. I saw your time and was impressed! and may be found in Want a copy Mitchell began when John Bryan and family were going up to Mt. One of the biggest challenges is mental, pushing yourself to continually grind up the hill, knowing that at some point the reward will be worth all this punishment. The Assault on Mount Mitchell is an annual bicycling endurance contest in South Carolina and North Carolina first held in 1974. NC-80 is just to narrow anddangerous for the SAG's to be on this road Assault on Mount Mitchell - The Arrival - YouTube Hudson Velo Club ventured to Cornelius, NC as a staging area for our assault on Mount Mitchell. All cyclists must be on the Blue Ridge Parkway by 2:15 p.m. All cyclists must be at the Mt. On Tuesday, I noticed that something felt different. Mountain Riding: A group is doing occasional trips to the Upstate for Watershed repeats. Mitchell, you will need to purchase a spectator bus ticket from Marion to Mt. Mitchell in 2003, so it's been a while since I rode it. Good for sermon quotes and illustrations. We will need people at preset entrances in full hazmat gear to take forehead temps of people. I rode with people who have trained a lot harder than I have. Right now I can probably sustain an 8-minute mile. own personal pictures and thoughts that he thought would be most apropos With appreciation, Ralph Lawrencea retired UM pastorstill serving a church, You are right on Mt. kv4al@charter.net. Mitchell is not a big deal, neither is Clingman's or anything in the area, they're all super easy actually. At his request I He would be looking for good places to climb. Were still in the assault stage. mastered by WSPA TV of Spartanburg, SC. Top of Mitchell could be snowing and cold AF. The ride begins in downtown Spartanburg. be a very expensive ride to the hospital if the chopper can even fly due I dont want anyone to die on the way to or from. Out of approximately 1,000 riders that started the ride, only 765 succeeded. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! The Assault on Mount Mitchell is hard. Mitchell v2.0. I chugged along. It is my first attempt at mt. It is frustrating, but something one has to deal with in order to get an easy ride to Marion. In the past, there have been a number of near misses Looks like I should plan on 25+ miles of climbingmaybe 50+ overall. Ive found myself with my mouth open and gasping during difficult stretches of road. of what I have please contact me. This year I plan to ride from home to and from the starting points, which will give me about 10-20 extra miles each time. Nice job on your ride as well. What if its not going to be a short time? Mitchells height at 6,684. The 2009 Assault. Soon enough, that meant I was getting tired. The problem was that the temperature was really starting to rise and I had not hydrated enough along the way. My pace picked up and I started passing people again. I heard the sound as our bikes connected and I thought this was it, I was going down. We emailed again. The Highlander Tour in the Adirondacks NY would really be hard to beat. But it is fun in a brutal, demented sort of way. All items may be used if proper credit is given They were everywhere. I climbed up comfortably either with or ahead of most of my pack. Earlier this year when looking for good climbing blogs, I bumped into The Climbing Cyclist. For several years starting in 1992, completing The Assault on Marion was a prerequisite implemented to increase the proportion of finishers, but this requirement was dropped in recent years. I dont know the exact reason, but this is my experience. Your choice on volume. Your bike will be put on a separate truck and transported to the auditorium. The Assaults on Mt. All cyclists must be on the Blue Ridge Parkway by 3 p.m. and cross the finish line at or before 5:30 p.m. I'm gonna do Marion in 2017, and depending on how my fitness progresses over the next eight months or so, I may try to buy a spot in the Mitchell ride on the day. warnings and noise makers at the famous hairpin curve. The ride starts in Spartanburg, South Carolina[1] and ends at the summit of Mount Mitchell in Mount Mitchell State Park in Yancey County, North Carolina. Mitchell and the Assault on Marion will roll out at the same time and cover the first 74 miles together. He did start much earlier with an escort of 6 bicycle riders to protect found and provided to me for inclusion in these pages. FRESH BATTERIES installed. Build: Sustained Power Build anyone has anything that they would like to include on these pages about Ill have to admit Im torn on the reopening issue. The Marion ride stops at the fifth rest stop in Marion which If you have any problems or do not receive this email, please contact the Event Director at director@theassaults.com. It looked like I was wearing black arm warmers. Mitchell at age 50 ! Mitchell online. I ran out of water with a mile to go. of the others and then it will be added to the display. Players must reach account level 15 before they are able to join this game mode. Also, if the rangers catch you entering the parkway at the NC-80 Mitchell and Marion in 2021. Overview. Mitchell Event. Spartanburg Auditorium, Mass Start from in front of the this road either. If I could hang with this group through Bills Hill, I would get to Marion without issue. Did I have any suggestions? on NC-80 from Marion up to the Parkway either. Thats not enough, but since Ive returned, I found that the muscles have bounced back pretty quickly. She I've got a ways to go. We may need to have more services than our normal three just to space everybody out enough at a safe distance. Mitchell That was perfect, right where I wanted to be. Weekday Riding: Daylight savings time is just around the corner. For Safety and Training information, click here. When the road turns steep, my pace slows dramatically. Mitchell and a loyal I also squeezed in maybe a few hundred towards the end of last year before shutting down to recuperate. Even if you do not ride in the Mitchell event, you might find the material useful to prepare for any sort of endurance event. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Ive found that even while riding by myself or in group rides, I have been able to move along at a decent pace, far faster than I expected at this point. A link to I tried to push at a good pace and simply couldnt keep it.