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During the Event
| What is the start going to be like this year? |
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We will have the traditional MASS START @ 6:30 AM this year. You may choose your starting position, but it is best to consider your own goals and fitness level, as well as the goals and fitness of those around you before lining up.
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| How many Rest Stops are on this course? |
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There will be 10 Rest Stops along the way, spaced evenly by approximate timing (which is why later stops are closer together- by distance).
Rest Stop #1 @ 22 miles
Rest Stop #2 @ 42 miles
Rest Stop #3 @ 47 miles Summit of Bill's Mountain / Tech Support
Rest Stop #4 @ 64 miles
Rest Stop #5 @ 74 miles Tom Johnson Campground / Marion Finish /Tech Support
Rest Stop #6 @ 85 miles Tech Support Available
Rest Stop #7 @ 87 miles Entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway (cut-off point)
Rest Stop #8 @ 93 miles
Rest Stop #9 @ 97.9 miles
Rest Stop #10 @ 100.7 miles Entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park
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| What will be available at the rest stops? |
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Water, Powerade, cookies, bananas, oranges, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, trail mix and pretzels at all stops. Coca-Cola will be available starting at rest stop #5 and at all stops after that. A few rest areas will also offer mechanical aid should you need a minor repair or help along the way. |
| Is it okay for my family to follow me while I ride? |
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No. Unfortunately, there are far too many cyclists, support vehicles, and regular traffic to allow any additional cars on the course. However, you may have your family "leap frog" along the route. By taking alternate roads, they may drive ahead, park, and cheer you on as you ride by!
A car following along on the course will be considered a SAG (personal rider support), and NO Personal SAG of any type is allowed in this event. Any rider observed utilizing unofficial SAG support will be pulled from the ride and banned from future participation.
This applies to BOTH of the Assaults: Mitchell AND Marion.
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| What happens if I break down and can’t go any further? |
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Motorcycles, mechanics, and our official SAG support will be constantly monitoring the course. Flag one down, and you will be transported to Marion! |
| What is the cut-off time to finish the events? |
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For the Assault on Marion, the cut-off time to finish will be 2:00 PM. This means you must average ~10 mph (including stopped time) for the 76 mile journey.
For the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, the cut-off time will be 3:00 PM at Rest Stop #7 (the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the top of Hwy 80). If you have not reached Rest Stop #7 by 3:30, you will be given the opportunity to either cycle back to Marion or hitch a ride in one of our official SAG vehicles. You will not be allowed to go further.
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| How can my family watch me finish at the top of Mt. Mitchell? |
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There will be a spectator bus in Marion for your family and friends, carrying them to the top to watch you finish. The buses will run beginning at 10:00 AM and will continue until 2:00 PM. (Note: cancellations are possible due to inclement weather) After 2:00 PM, it is too late in the day to get spectators up to Mt. Mitchell. Spectators and riders may all ride back down to Marion together. Bus tickets should be purchased during on-line registration.
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The Freewheelers of Spartanburg, Inc. formed in 1973 and is a non-profit community service organization, the purpose of which is to provide education and promotion of bicycle safety and a forum for amateur sports competition and touring within the meaning of non-profits of the Internal Revenue Code. Currently our club has over 1000 members, with members from 45 states, Canada and Germany. With the youngest member being 14 years old and the oldest member being 79 years old. Click here to join the Freewheelers today! |
Information on this page is currently being updated. Check back for changes!
Last Update: January 15, 2014 |
