One of the USA’s oldest and most popular amateur cycling races has been cancelled for a second year running.

The sold-out 45th edition of Assault on Mount Mitchell gran fondo scheduled for 17 May 2021 will no longer take place.

The 102.7 mile event organised by Freewheelers Cycling Association starts in Spartanburg, South Carolina and continues to Marion, North Carolina and then climbs up to the 6684′ summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern United States.

Organisers said the in-person event currently does not comply with the State of North Carolina’s covid guidelines.

“Current mandates in the State of North Carolina prohibit large in-person events, whether outdoor or indoor,” organisers announced on social media. “Since we have no clear timeline on when these regulations will be lifted, the Freewheelers Cycling Association, the State of NC’s Department of Parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway leadership, and the administration of Mt. Mitchell State Park are not comfortable with moving forward with the event in 2021.”

In addition, the point-to-point race requires all cyclists to endure a non-covid safe cramped and packed full 3.5 hour bus ride off Mt. Mitchell after finishing. 

The organisers plan a return next year on 16 May 2022.

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