Frequently Asked Questions

Online registration closes on Monday, May 13 before the ride. Cyclists can register in person on Sunday before the ride during Packet Pick-Up on Sunday, May 19 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. There will be no registrations on May 20, 2024.

Click here for safety and training information!

Follow The Assaults’ Facebook page for local training ride dates and information.

In order to keep the course safe, and to not cause additional traffic concerns, family/friends/personal SAGS are not allowed to follow riders. The spectators’ guide contains information about how you can cheer on your rider at key points on the course!

Due to safety concerns, family/friends/personal SAGS cannot drive to Mt. Mitchell. This is a policy set forth by the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mt. Mitchell State Park that we must adhere to. If you would like to see your rider finish at the top of Mt. Mitchell, you will need to purchase a spectator bus ticket from Marion to the top of Mt. Mitchell for $25 online here.

All those parked along the route in undesignated spectator areas will be turned away by ride officials, police and parkway officials. Those with SAGS on the course will be immediately disqualified from the ride, and not given a finishing time and removed from the finishers list. If a rider needs help many volunteer techs, SAGS, and Marshals will be on the course.

You may transfer your registration to another rider, if you are unable to participate. Transfers may be made until Monday, May 13, 2024. A $40 transfer fee is charged to the new rider upon transfer; it is up to the individual parties to set and collect any amount outside the transfer fee. If a participant wishes to transfer their registration to a different participant they can click on ‘Edit’ under their entry and choose ‘Transfer Registration’. Here they will be prompted to enter in the email address of the person receiving the transfer and click the button again.

Once the email has been sent, the person receiving the transfer will need to go through the checkout process to receive the transferred registration. They will need to go through this process regardless of if the transfer includes a surcharge. Once the transfer is successful the original participant will receive a confirmation email.

The Assaults is unable to offer refunds OR deferments to the following year. You may be able to transfer your registration to another rider for an amount agreed-upon privately between riders, plus a $40 transfer fee.

BikeReg, who hosts the event registration offers a third party ride insurance through Allianz that can be added to your event purchase on your own accord. If you purchased this and would like to make a claim please head to https://www.eventregistrationprotection.com/ to make a claim. NOTE: THE ASSAULTS ARE IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE OR INVOLVED IN INSURANCE DISPUTES. 

If you don’t have your policy number, you can click “Don’t have your policy number?” and enter your email and the event date (May 22, 2023) to proceed.

Through the BikeReg third party Allianz insurance, participants may be eligible for reimbursement in the following situations:

• Illness or Serious Injury – if the participant is prevented from participating in the event due to a covered illness or injury, or if a family member is hospitalized or requires care by the participant
• Employer Termination – After being employed by the same employer for one continuous year, the participant is laid off
• Traffic Accidents – if you are directly involved in a traffic accident and unable to get to the event
• Mechanical Breakdown – if the participant’s car breaks down no more than 48 hours before the event
• Airline Delay – if the participant’s plane or other Travel Carrier is delayed (includes bad weather) while going to the event
• Home Issues – if the participant’s home is uninhabitable due to fire, flood, vandalism, burglary or natural disasters
• Jury Duty – if the participant is required to serve on jury duty on the day of the event
• Military Duty – if the participant is required to miss an event as a result of military orders

Packet Pick-up is scheduled for Sunday, May 19 before the ride at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. From 1:00pm to 5:00pm, you can pick up your packet and enjoy an expo with local companies all supporting The Assaults. You will be able to put a small dry clothes bag onto either the Marion or Mt. Mitchell truck at this time. Additionally, you can pick up your packet on Monday morning of the ride at the auditorium from 5:45am – 6:00am. You will again have the opportunity to put a small dry clothes bag onto the appropriate baggage truck.

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, you may leave your vehicle at Tom Johnson Campground overnight. 

A discounted room rate for Assault participants and spectators has been secured at the Spartanburg Marriott at 299 North Church Street in Spartanburg. Use the following link to book before April 30, 2024. Book my Room now.

There are nine total rest stops along the ride to Mount Mitchell. There are four rest stops before reaching Tom Johnson Campground and the finish of The Assault on Marion. Please reference the cue sheet to see the exact locations.

Rest stops offer food, beverage, first aid kits and toilets. SAG vehicle will also be available on the course. Some rest stops will have tech support available as well. Please reference the cue sheet for more information.

Pets will not be allowed at the start line in Spartanburg, or finish line in Marion and Mt. Mitchell. Pets will also not be allowed on the Spectator Bus.

Cyclists must pass the finish line at Mt. Mitchell by 5:30 p.m. As reference points, cyclists should plan to make the turn onto the Blue Ridge Parkway by 2:30 p.m. and the turn into the park by 4 p.m. Those that do not finish in time will be picked up by official SAG vehicles and taken to the closest bus point.

If you are not able to complete the ride by 5:30 p.m. or unable to complete for another reason, an officially marked Assaults vehicle will pick you up and take you to either Marion or Mt. Mitchell depending on proximity. If your dry clothes bags are not in the same place as you, we will do everything in our power to get you your items in a decent time, but there is considerable travel time from Mt. Mitchell to Marion and due to narrow roads on Mt. Mitchell limited vehicles and baggage trucks are able to pass at once.

Every year The Assaults has over 300 volunteers help with the ride. To join, please fill out our Volunteer Form.

Once you reach the top, cyclists will need to remove any valuable items from their bikes like GPS, cell phones and packs.

Yes….

You may pack a SMALL duffle of dry clothes and place it on baggage trucks during Packet Pick-Up on Sunday or Monday morning. Plastic grocery bags are also a great option. Cyclists can drop a clothes bag off Sunday, May 19 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm or Monday morning, May 20 before 6:15 a.m. when trucks are locked up.

Please tag your bag with the provided luggage tag (included in your packet) and place it on the appropriate truck. Due to the potential for damp weather, consider wrapping your clothes first in a trash bag or large ziplock, then place in your duffle.

DO NOT place car keys or any valuables in your dry clothes bag. In the past, riders have been separated from their clothes (and keys) when they are ready to go. We cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.

NOTE: If you are unable to complete the ride, we will work to get your bag transferred off the mountain to Marion on one of the incoming bike trucks. Please expect a delay in receiving your bag.