Spectator Guide

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2024 Spectator Guide

The 47th Annual Assaults welcomes friends and family to cheer on their riders along the course! In order to make your experience more enjoyable, please note the following information.

For a downloadable version, please click here: 2024 Spectator Guide.

How to Follow Your Rider

Per state and local laws, you will not be able to directly follow your rider. In order to maintain the safety of all riders, we suggest you follow this “spectators course” in order to cheer on riders.

Leave the Auditorium and get on I-85 South
Take I-26 West
Get off at Exit #5 for Hwy 11
Take a right on Hwy 11
Take a Left on Hwy 9 – you will intersect with the course at mile 24.5


Stay straight on Hwy 9 after seeing your athlete
Cross over Hwy 108 and head towards Lake Lure
When you see the lake follow Hwy 64/74 – veer/turn right
You will intersect with your athlete at mile 46.2


Stay straight on Hwy 64/74 and turn then right on the 64/74 Bypass
Look for signs for 221 North
Go LEFT on 221 Bypass
Take a LEFT on Hwy 70
Take a Left onto Resistoflex Rd. and then another Left into Tom Johnson Campground
This will be mile 74.2

At the campground, you can get on the spectator bus and go all the way to the top to meet your athlete.

Spectator Bus to the top of Mt. Mitchell

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 Mt. Mitchell for $25 here. The first bus leaves at 9:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 12 p.m. from Tom Johnson Campground. The bus ride is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. You will be allowed to return to Marion on the same bus as your rider.

Meal Tickets

You can enjoy lunch at Tom Johnson Campground with your rider by purchasing a meal ticket here. Tickets will also be sold at the Rider Registration & Expo (cash or credit) and at Marion on Monday (cash only).

Merchandise

Spectators are welcome to purchase event t-shirts and other merchandise through the BikeReg.com.

Cars on the Route

If you want to support your rider please do so in areas designated in the Spectator Guide. If you are parked on the route you will be moved by authorities including police, ride staff and parkway staff patrolling the route. If you are assisting a rider along the route, the rider will be immediately disqualified and removed from the final listing. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our riders safe. If riders need support there are marshals, SAG and Tech support fully staffed throughout the ride route and officially marked.