SPARTANBURG, S.C.—The 44th annual Assaults on Mt. Mitchell & Marion, presented by Prisma Health, saw the ascent of nearly 600 cyclists on Mt. Michell and almost 200 riders on Marion on Monday, May 20. The 102.7-mile journey is one of the most intense, premier cycling experiences in the Southeast, known as “the Beast of the East”.
“The Freewheelers Association is grateful for another successful year of The Assaults,” Karl Johnson, Freewheelers Association President, said. “We are honored to put on a ride that fosters camaraderie and promotes healthy, active lifestyles while also benefitting the Upstate and Western North Carolina communities. A big thank you is due to our incredible sponsors, partners, and volunteers who made the 44th annual Assaults possible.”
With a beautiful day on Mt. Mitchell to compliment, Moorseville, N.C.’s Seth Jones was the fastest rider this year, completing The Assault on Mt. Mitchell with a 05:06:13 time, beating last year’s fastest time by 3 minutes.
Ina Pfuhler, from Cincinnati, O.H., held this year’s fastest female time at 07:01:50.
Other notable participants included: 13-year-old, Ben Allen from Charlotte, N.C. (09:37:37), Michael Davis from Albemarle, N.C. who completed the Assault on Mt. Mitchell for the 39th time (09:59:40), and Justin Teutsch, who joined all the way from London, U.K. (06:11:00).
Participants began in downtown Spartanburg, S. C., and rode to either Marion, N.C., (74.2 miles) or the Mt. Mitchell summit (102.7 miles). Thanks to ride sponsors and participants, the Freewheelers Cycling Association of Spartanburg, who hosts this ride, gave back almost $10,000 this year to organizations in and around the Upstate and Western North Carolina who help support The Assaults.
Organizations supported by the ride include FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Spartanburg County Baptist Network, NC High Peaks, Advent Outreach, the Bearden-Josey Women’s Cycling team, Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Partners for Active Living, and the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.
About The Assaults
A bucket list ride for serious cyclists, The Assaults is one of the most intense, premier cycling experiences in the Southeast, and draws a full field of around 800 cyclists from across the world each spring to ride from Spartanburg, S.C. to either Marion, N.C. (74.2 miles) or the top of Mount Mitchell (102.7 miles). To learn more, register, sponsor or volunteer, visit www.theassaults.com or email [email protected].
About The Freewheelers
The organization behind The Assaults, The Freewheelers Cycling Association, is a Spartanburg, S.C.-based, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community service organization founded in 1973. The Freewheelers’ mission is to provide education and promotion of bicycle safety and a forum for amateur sports competition and touring. To learn more about The Freewheelers, visit their website at www.freewheelers.info.
