I still ride to this day, although I doubt I’ll ever reach 200,000 miles. My rides in recent years, and these days, tend to be much shorter and slower. So far, I’ve logged about 135,000 miles to-date, and just happy to be able to continue riding.
I’ve made a lot of friendships over the past 47 years of riding. We had group rides rides from the Shelby court square on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Most rides would average about 25-30 miles.
Over the years, I’ve ridden many miles with Mike Keeley, Mike Ribadeneyra, Todd Anderson, John Paksoy, Mark Cardell, Jimmy Ivester, Chuck Lampley, Fred Sisk, Mark Brackett, Gary and Tammy Edelman, Bryan Hensley, Vic Branton, Don and Kat Bridges, Bill Parker, Chris Rossi, Kenny Hoyle, Doug Noblet, Joe Champion, Harvey Whisnant, and Charlie Rhoden, who sadly passed away a few years ago. I could list many more that I’ve ridden with over the past 47 years, but the list would be too long!
Charlie was instrumental in promoting challenging group rides that pushed us all to our limits. Most of us were simply doing our best to hang on and not get dropped!
A pharmacist by profession, Charlie owned and operated Suttle’s Drug in Shelby. Beyond his career in pharmacy, he made a lasting contribution to the local cycling community by organizing the Lattimore time trials. Throughout all the years we held these events, Charlie finished second only once—a testament to his remarkable cycling abilities and competitive spirit.
For more than 15 years, we held the 10-mile time trials on New House Road, on a fairly regular basis. Riders set off at 30-second intervals, each determined to cover the 10 miles as quickly as possible, chase down the cyclist ahead, and hopefully set a new personal best. But there was one other thing to keep in mind—you definitely didn’t want the rider starting 30 seconds behind to catch you!
The Assault on Mount Mitchell:
At one time, nearly every serious cyclist in “the local area and far beyond” aspired to ride the annual Assault on Mount Mitchell. This was a legendary event that began in Spartanburg, SC and covered roughly 103 miles before finishing atop Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. I feel fortunate to have been able to complete the ride eight times, but never with a record time. I just never had time for the high-level training and number of miles required for a completion of the 103 mile ride in the five-hour range.
My first “Assault on Mount Mitchell” was in May 1981. I had only been a casual cyclist for about a year and had no idea just how challenging the ride would be. On a really hot day, it took me nearly 11 hours to reach the summit. I hadn’t drunk nearly enough water, and by the time I reached the top of Mount Mitchell, I had lost more than 10 pounds since that morning! It was quite an introduction to one of America’s cycling’s toughest one day ride.
During another “Assault on Mount Mitchell,” a migraine hit, and I was ready to quit… but then…
I also have an interesting story about developing a migraine headache during one of my “Assault on Mount Mitchell” rides shortly after reaching the Parkway. I had pulled over at one of the scenic overlooks and decided I was done. My plan was to wait for the next support van to come along and take me off the mountain. But then something very unusual happened.
A white, unmarked van pulled up. It had none of the familiar “Assault on Mount Mitchell” logos, which for many years were associated with the event’s Anheuser-Busch sponsorship. A man got out of the van and asked if I was okay. I explained that I had a terrible headache and didn’t think I could continue.
The man looked at me and said, “You’re too close to the top to quit now. If you do, you’ll regret it for years to come.” Then he added, “I have something that will help you.”
He walked back to the unmarked van, opened the rear doors, and returned with something in his hands. To my surprise, he was carrying a can of Anheuser-Busch beer. He opened the beer, then handed me A Goody headache powder and instructed me to take the powder and drink the beer.
I’ve never been much of a beer drinker, but at that moment, I was willing to try just about anything to get rid of that headache. Within minutes, my headache was gone, and I was back on my bike. Not only did I finish the ride, but I covered the final 10 very difficult miles with surprising ease. It was an experience that has stayed with me over the years. I never knew who the man was, but he showed up at the exact moment when I was ready to give up?
Let it be known: I have never tried this headache remedy again, nor would I ever encourage anyone else to attempt to relieve a headache in this manner.
Alcoholism is a serious and devastating disease that affects countless individuals and families. It has destroyed lives, strained relationships, and left many struggling for years to overcome its grip. It is a battle that, sadly, not everyone wins. If there is one thing I hope others take away from my story, it is this: If you drink, consider quitting. If you don’t drink, don’t start. Some things in life are better left untested, and alcohol is certainly one of them.
Had I decided to abandon the ride that day, I would not have completed all the Assault on Mount Mitchell rides that I can proudly claim today. Looking back, I’m really glad I listened to that mysterious stranger—and grateful that I kept pedaling toward the summit.
Riding with a world class pro-elite cyclist:
Mike Keeley and I had the opportunity to ride with Canadian pro cyclist Eric Wohlberg on quite a few occasions! In fact, there’s a very steep hill in Rutherford County that’s known as the “Wohlberg-Keeley Hill,” named after an unforgettable moment during a Thursday afternoon group ride back in the ’90s. Eric put his hand on Mike’s back and pushed him all the way to the top of the hill—right past the entire group! Now that’s a story that’s still talked about by some local cyclists even today!
Click on the following link to learn more about the Shelby Criterion and bio for pro-elite cyclist Eric Wohlberg:
Sunday morning rides from Boiling Springs:
For years, a group of us would meet at the Boiling Springs Post Office on Sunday mornings and ride to Polkville for coffee. We left many times while it was still dark, with “little more” than flashlights attached to our bikes. During those days, high-intensity cycling lights were just being developed. Most of the time, I’d still make it back in time for Sunday School!
I remember one early Sunday ride in particular: The temperature was below freezing with light-snow, and we rode to McDonalds in Gaffney for pancakes! I can still remember hearing the ice cracking underneath my tires while crossing the I-85 bridge! This was for sure a dangerous day to be riding a bicycle, but in those earlier days, we did things we would not do today.
Valle Crusis to the top of Beech Mountain, which is ~5,500 feet above sea-level.
I have been fortunate to be able to ride “at least” fifteen-times to the top of Beech Mountain, leaving from Mask General Store in Valle Crucis, to Banner Elk and then to the top of the mountain. My last time was with Mike Keeley, quite a few years ago.
Be sure to click on the following link for the Beech Mountain story:
Then there was another mountain to climb!
Click on the following link to read about our 50 mile ride from Shelby to the top of Skyuka Mountain:
October 2026: One of my latest rides and the more important things in life…
April 2025
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