What began as a stray thought on a 1994 weekend ride to High Springs came to fruition on May 21, 1995. Let's do Mt. Mitchell was the rallying cry. No sure thing, entry was on a first come, first served basis. Limited to 900 riders, the 20th Annual Assault quota was filled in 16 days.
Four Gainesville residents (3 GCC members) participated in the 20th annual Assault on Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Sponsored by the Spartanburg Freewheelers, the course has a cumulative climb of 10,895 feet, with 2 grades of 33% and 14 grades between 4% and 9%. The ride begins in Spartanburg, SC, and finishes at the summit parking lot of Mt. Mitchell, elevation 6600 ft. (above Florida). Total distance is 103 miles.
Thus forewarned we travelled to Spartanburg on Friday, May 20, 1995, picked up our packets, and returned to our motel to prepare for the event. Preparation included a pasta meal, a beer or two for carbohydrates, and a good night's sleep. And so we awoke to the challenge on a clear, cool Saturday in May in South Carolina. 900 partcipants would attempt the Mt. Mitchell assault, while another 1000 would do the ride to Marion (72 miles). The mass start in downtown Spartanburg at 6:30 AM was exhilarating. Traffic control was such that you never had to stop at any intersections.
THE PREPARATION
This is not a ride to be taken lightly. Actual preparation for this ride began one full year prior to
the event. Serious training is very much in order. As much resistance work as possible! Even
though this is officially not a race, a finish line clock which starts at the moment the ride begins
lends a racelike atmosphere to the event. You really are competing! Three partcipants were
seasoned veterans of this event (Bruce and Mark were attempting their 4th, Dennis his 10th). I
was the rookie, not knowing what lay ahead.
THE JOURNEY
The adrenalin rush at the start was unbelievable. Undoubtedly more than a few riders used up
their best efforts in the first 40 miles. What a price they must have paid later on the Mountain! A
starter calmly announced the existence of life-threatening downhill hairpin turns some 40 miles
into the ride. It seems that almost every year one or more riders go to the hospital with serious
injuries incurred on these turns. We were assured that a warning light and course monitor would
indicate the approach of this point in the ride. However, since it occured on the downhill side of a
very steep climb up Billy's Mt., perhaps lack of oxygen caused me to forget. For whatever reason
I flew into this turn at too high a speed (40+ mph), felt my rear tire chatter as I fought to stay on
the road, felt my heart pounding in my throat, yet somehow managed to pull out of that turn.
What a scary feeling! The first 72 miles were rolling (definitely not flat), but the real challenge
began at 80 miles when you began the ascent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the summit. A sag
team of loyal wives had placed a variety of encouraging signs along the route. Some signs were
philosophical, some cheerful, but the sign with the most impact was the one that stated "You're
almost there." Even though this was true, almost there seemed an eternity even when the end was
in sight (but far in the distance). Rest stops were numerous. Once you were on the mountain,
rest stops were located approximately every 5 miles. Support was good, with ample supplies of
water and high caloric foods (orange slices, bananans, cookies, etc).
RECOLLECTIONS
Beautiful country, clean air, flowers in bloom, exhilarating...I never want to see another
banana... hell, this is already hilly and we've only started...why didn't they mention this mountain
at 40 miles...do you think anyone will notice that I stopped at Marion (72 miles)...is that where
we're headed...man that's a long way off...you've got to be kidding...we're going there?...No
way!...I've got to lose at least 30 pounds for next year...If I have a flat it will give me an excuse to
stop...Why has everyone stopped talking?...This is hard...really...I have fond memories of the last
4 hours--no more gears and 6 miles an hour! Lots of time for soul searching.
Approximate finishing times - 6:15 Dennis Lewis, 6:45 Mark Patlovich, 7:15 Bruce Stechmiller, and 8:37 Skip Choate.
As with any athletic endurance event the intensity of the moment produces some comments that may later be called into question. I call these notable quotes: (Everyone) "I'm never doing this again." (Skip) "Anyone who wants it can have my bike, or better yet, just leave it here in the parking lot." Then...Post ride - Athens, Georgia, Mexican cuisine, Margaritaville, Bulldog country...Later that same day: (Bruce) "I'm never doing this again." The weakening (Skip) "That was sure a neat finish, and wasn't the view spectacular on the Blueridge Parkway." The response (Bruce) "Are you nuts? Have you already forgotten what it felt like?" More weakening (Skip) "Wouldn't it be neat to do it again next year." (Bruce) "You're crazy, you can do it without me! I'm never doing it again!" (Skip) "I'm already planning my training strategy for next year." (Bruce) "Have fun doing it alone!"
On May 31 at 6:15 PM, a mere 10 days later Bruce announced that he would do Mt. Mitchell again! What can I say?