F.A.Q.

  • When does membership have to be renewed in order to be able to get a pass code for 2011?
    • The Freewheeler's membership drive is from October 1st through Dec 31st every year. You have to join the club during this time in order to be eligible to receive a pass code.
  • What is a pass code?
    • A pass code is a number that you receive in the mail (US post) that you can use to access early registration for the Assault on Mt. Mitchell. Early registration is from Feb. 2nd at 6 AM EST through Feb 15th at 12 PM EST. If you don’t use your pass code during this time you can still register on the 16th but you are not guaranteed entry.
  • When will I get my pass code for 2010?
    • Pass codes will be mailed out on January 26, 2010.
  • Can someone else use my pass code to register?
    • Yes, you can give your pass code to a friend to be used with your name. Each pass code can only be used once.
  • Can I change the name and information on the ride number if I purchase it from someone else?
    • We are looking into the possibility of doing this for 2010. Check back on the website at a later date for more details.
  • Are there entry requirements to be able to ride Mt. Mitchell?
    • In the past it was required that you ride the Assault on Marion first, before you were allowed to ride Mt. Mitchell. This requirement became hard to enforce because there have not always been accurate accounts of who finished the Assault on Marion. Now there are no requirements to ride the Assault on Mt. Mitchell.
  • Why don't people who rode Mt. Mitchell last year get pass codes for early registration this year?
    • One of the most basic reasons is that this ride has always been a club ride and club members always have had the first chance at purchasing a ride number. If we have 700+ club members and all of them get a pass code it would be unfair for us to give another 700-1000 people who rode last year pass codes as well. This year the ride will be open to club members first and then on a first come first serve basis on February 16th.
  • How many ride numbers will go to general entry on Feb 16th?
    • We don't have an exact number but worst case we expect at least 300-400 numbers to be available.
  • I heard that last year more numbers were sold than should have been and people were turned away from entering the parkway. Is this true?
    • This is something that really did happen to the unfortunate few. This year we are selling a lot less numbers and we are going back to a time cut off. You have to make it to the top of Hwy 80 (86 mile mark) in 9 hours. This is an average speed of 9.5 mph so this is the speed you need to train for to be able to be allowed to continue on to the parkway. No arbitrary numbers this year.
  • What is the start going to be like?
    • The start of the ride this year is going back to a type of mass start. Here is how it is going to work.
      There will be 3 flags on either side of the starting area.
      • Flag Set #1
        Here is where all the FAST riders will be. You are considered to be in this group if you are planning on riding 6:30 or under. This means you have trained for the ride for months and you have a very high level of fitness. If you have not trained for the event and choose to start here you are making a big mistake and you will pay dearly for it later in the ride and risk being run over or run off the road. DO NOT start here unless you are a very skilled, trained cyclist.
      • Flag Set #2
        Here is where all serious weekend warrior riders will be. Those who have trained hard but who realistically know they will not be in the lead pack. YOU KNOW which group you belong with.
      • Flag Set #3
        Here is where everyone who is simply riding to finish will be. Those of you who are out for the experience and the joy of the event, those of you who did not train as much as you should have, those who are not racing the clock. Just to keep things fun about 10 min before the start when everyone is lined up we will ask that all cyclists turn to the person next to them and ask “are you planning to ride “x” pace because that is the group you are in” . Hopefully this will immediately hold each rider accountable to those around him and if he can’t ride that pace he will be shamed into the group in which he belongs.
      • Note:
        Some of you liked the stagger start, but there are way too many people who falsify their times to really make this feasible. This is a big ride, a long ride and a challenging ride. All of you should have the bike handling skills needed to maneuver carefully through the start. If you don’t feel comfortable starting in a big group feel free to start in the back. The ride is chip timed so your time will reflect your effort.
  • How many Rest Stops are on this course?
      • You can expect to see a rest stop in the following locations:
    • Mile 22 - Rest Stop #1
    • Mile 42 – Rest Stop #2
    • Mile 47 – Rest Stop #3 Top of Bill’s Hill-Tech Support Available Here
    • Mile 64 – Rest Stop #4
    • Mile 74 – Rest Stop #5 Tom Johnson’s Campground – Marion Finish – Tech Support Available Here
    • Mile 85 – Rest Stop #6 Tech Support Available Here
    • Mile 86.7 – Rest Stop #7 – Beginning of Blue Ridge Parkway
    • Mile 93 – Rest Stop #8
    • Mile 97.9 – Rest Stop #9
    • Mile 102.7 – Rest Stop #10 – Entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park
  • What will you be serving at the rest stops?
    • We will have water, Powerade at all stops. Coke will be available starting at rest stop #5 and at all stops after that. We will also have cookies, bananas, oranges, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, trail mix & pretzels.
  • My family wants to follow along in the car?
    • You want to share the your big day with your family for sure but please have them meet you at different places along the way. We will have a GPS map link posted on the website with details on how your family can follow the ride but stay off the course. If you have a car following along on the course that will be considered a SAG. No SAG of any type is allowed in this event.
  • What happens if I break down and can’t go any further?
    • We will have motorcycles all over the course as well as mechanics and official SAGS that can transport you to Marion.
  • My family wants to watch me finish at the top of Mt. Mitchell, how do they get there?
    • From Marion your family can ride the bus up to the top to watch you finish and then ride back down with you. There is a small fee charged for the bus ticket for family.
  • I want to leave my car in Marion on Sunday. Can I do that?
    • You can take your car to Marion and park at Tom Johnson’s campground for a $5 fee. You can pre-purchase a bus ticket when you register for the ride.
    • Also if you chose to leave your car at Tom Johnson’s campground on Saturday you can take a bus from there back to Spartanburg. This bus will not transport luggage or bikes, only people. There is a $35 charge and reservations are required. To make a reservation please contact assaultdirector@freewheelers.info
    • Note: The Bus will be leaving Tom's Johnson Campground at 4pm SHARP! on Sunday May 23rd.
  • Where can I find pictures of this event?
    • Birds Eye View is our official photographer. They will be located on Bill’s Hill (mile 47), on the switchback’s on route 80 and at the finish on the top of the mountain. Information will be on the back of your bib number.
  • Can tickets for the bus be purchased at registration and packet pick-up on May 23rd?
    • Yes, we will have a limited number of tickets available. Of course it is best to reserve them online when you register for the event so that we can make sure to have enough buses reserved.
  • Can post ride meals be purchased for family and friends after the ride in Marion?
    • There will be a limited amount of food but there will be some extra that will be sold. For planning purposes it is really best if you purchase a meal ticket ahead of time online.
  • If I drop my car off in Marion on Sunday will there be a way for me to get my luggage to Marion on Monday?
    • Yes, you can drop your bag on the truck with all the dry clothes bags that will be going to MARION (you don’t want your luggage at the top of Mt. Mitchell). Just make sure to have your name and/or rider number clearly marked on your bag. Please do not leave valuables in these bags as someone might not be watching them all day but they will be in a protected area.
  • If I finish Assault on Mitchell can I ride my bike down from the top?
    • No, you may not under any circumstances ride your bike down the mountain. Bikes need to be handed over to volunteers immediately upon completion of the event. Failure to do so will result in disqualification for this year (no published time) and a ban for at least 1 year. The rules we have are in place are there so that we are allowed to hold this event every year.
  • What is the event date for Assault on Mount Mitchell and Marion 2011?
    • Assault on Mount Mitchell and Marion 2011 is scheduled for May 16th 2011.