Asheville, NC: Assault on Mount Mitchell

Asheville, NC: Assault on Mount Mitchell

The Assault on Mount Mitchell cruises rural rollers before an epic stretch of climbing along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the highest point east of the Mississippi.

Author:	cvb
Date:	12 Jun 2008 4:05:22 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	North Carolina (NC)
Distance:	101.94 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 11237 ft Total Loss: 5388 ft Net Change: 5849 ft
Difficulty:	9 / 10
Tags:	Burnsville, Asheville, Challenge rides, century rides, North Carolina
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Register early for the The Assault on Mount Mitchell: it’s one of the nation’s most popular challenge rides, and it fills up fast. The big draw is the iconic, 6,578-foot summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

The first 80 miles of this well-supported century roam the rural flatlands and rollers north of Spartunburg, SC. Once the ride reaches, Marion, NC, the challenge begins: nearly 8,000 feet of climbing in roughly 30 miles. The hardest stretch of climbing kicks in on Route 80 after the route passes Lake Tahoma. The switchback-heavy approach to the Blue Ridge Parkway is sure to take some of the bite out of your legs.

The Parkway itself is no slouch, but the countless succession of overlooks, road tunnels, and butterflies is sure to distract from the effort of climbing. Along this 11-mile stretch, views of Mount Mitchell (the big ridge above the Parkway and the eastern Continental Divide) foreshadow how much more climbing remain. The final approach to the summit up Route 128 is steep, steady, and relatively straight as it passes more roadside overlooks en route to the top. Savor the accomplishment and the 360-degree views at the top before hopping on the end-of-ride shuttle down the mountain.

-Mapped by Chris Vanden Bossche

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 101.94 mi	Points: 711	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Head north on US 221/N Church St.	Then go 0.60 mi
0.60 mi	Bear Right	US 221	Then go 0.45 mi
1.05 mi	Straight	Continue on SC 9	Then go 2.88 mi
3.93 mi	Turn Right	Parris Bridge Rd.	Then go 14.17 mi
18.11 mi	Straight	Continue across NC state line on NC 1102/Lambs Grill Rd.	Then go 1.63 mi
19.74 mi	Straight	Continue on NC 1343	Then go 4.89 mi
24.63 mi	Turn Right	NC 9	Then go 0.19 mi
24.83 mi	Turn Right	NC 1326	Then go 0.75 mi
25.57 mi	Bear Left	NC 1326	Then go 10.30 mi
35.87 mi	Turn Right	NC 108	Then go 0.51 mi
36.38 mi	Turn Left	NC 1131	Then go 5.99 mi
42.37 mi	Turn Right	NC 1184	Then go 1.83 mi
44.19 mi	Turn Left	US 64/84	Then go 2.01 mi
46.21 mi	Turn Right	NC 1068	Then go 0.75 mi
46.96 mi	Turn Right	Bills Creek Rd.	Then go 1.20 mi
48.15 mi	Straight	Continue on NC 1008	Then go 6.95 mi
55.11 mi	Turn Left	NC 1001	Then go 5.34 mi
60.44 mi	Turn Left	NC 1135	Then go 3.65 mi
64.09 mi	Turn Right	NC 1137	Then go 2.43 mi
66.53 mi	Turn Left	NC 1191	Then go 3.46 mi
69.98 mi	Straight	Continue on NC 1195	Then go 1.13 mi
71.11 mi	Turn Left	NC 1197	Then go 0.63 mi
71.74 mi	Turn Left	NC 1214	Then go 2.09 mi
73.83 mi	Turn Right	NC 1121	Then go 0.54 mi
74.37 mi	Turn Right	NC 80

Points of Interest

Switchbacking up to the Blue Ridge

Location: 35.766433°, -82.166147°
Going solo on a switchback © William Momaw

Start of the Assault

Location: 34.954900°, -81.935349°
1,500 riders roll out of Spartanburg. If you want to ride with the racers, get up front. Otherwise, take up a safe position further back. The front pack travels over 20 mph for the first 50 miles or so.

Riding the Rollers

Location: 35.251787°, -82.031822°
The area around Spartanburg does not have many hills, but as you ride north the rollers get longer and steeper. The elevation profile is somewhat deceptive because these rollers go up and down, gaining little net elevation, whereas the climb up from Marion is basically all uphill.

Hairpin Curve

Location: 35.416195°, -82.130699°
The road descends here and makes a very sharp hairpin turn just before reaching Highway 74.

Bill's Hill

Location: 35.427666°, -82.162972°
This is the biggest hill in the ride up to Marion (before the real climbing begins). The first stretch is in the 8- to 10-percent range.

Tom Johnson's Campground

Location: 35.689928°, -82.059975°
The campground is the staging area for the Assault. The Assault on Marion ends here. From the top of Mount Mitchell, riders and their bikes are shuttled back down to the campground. Family and friends must park here and take shuttles to the top of the mountain.

Switchbacks on Route 80

Location: 35.761418°, -82.156277°
The last four miles of Route 80 leading up to the Blue Ridge Parkway are a steady 8- to 10-percent grade: probably the hardest stretch of the ride.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Location: 35.739128°, -82.188721°
There are several overlooks along the parkway--most have spectacular views.

Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway

Location: 35.715995°, -82.231636°
The 11-mile stretch of the parkway traversed here is mostly uphill. First, a 4-mile section (passing through three tunnels), then a 2-mile descent, followed by a 3-mile climb. The climbs average about 6 percent, amping up to 8 percent in several spots.

Entering Mount Mitchell State Park

Location: 35.743447°, -82.278328°
After turning off the parkway, the first two miles up Route 128 are stiff (8-10 percent). From the park entrance, the road nearly levels out before the final climb to the top. From the parkway to the summit is 4.7 miles.

Views from the road

Location: 35.757936°, -82.271118°
Spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are everywhere you look on the road up Mount Mitchell--and you'll be going slow enough to enjoy them.

Mount Mitchell

Location: 35.765179°, -82.264252°
Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi. This elevation sign is just below the actual summit, which is accessible by a footpath from this parking area--a handy spot for mountain bike shoes.