ASSAULTS ON MT. MITCHELL & MARION

In 1975 – long before the days of personal bucket lists – Spartanburg, South Carolina native John Bryan, an early Freewheelers member, set out to ride from his hometown to the top of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. He enlisted a group of hardy Freewheelers, who were up for the challenge, to join him on the 103-mile ride. Bryan’s inaugural ride evolved into what is now known as The Assault on Mt. Mitchell®.

Increasing interest lead the Freewheelers to create The Assault on Marion®, a shorter, simultaneous sister ride from Spartanburg to Marion, North Carolina, in 1993 as a way of opening up the ride for more cyclists to participate. Together, the two rides are known as a singular event – The Assaults.