Roaring Run Rumble brings mountain biking to Apollo this weekend

The Roaring Run Rumble is coming back to Apollo this weekend, with activities for biking pros and novices alike.

“The theme is to get people out on bicycles, get them trying bicycles,” said Ashley Reefer, event organizer and owner of Greensburg’s Flat Tire Co. bike shop.

The annual rumble is best known for its mountain bike races, which attracts skilled riders from all over.

This year organizers also wanted to reach out to families and those less familiar with bicycling, Reefer said.

“We’re just trying to expand it,” Reefer said.

The two-day event will raise money for the The Roaring Run Watershed Association, which owns and maintains about 652 acres of land that is open to the public, including the 5-mile Roaring Run Trail.

The event starts 2 p.m. Saturday at the Roaring Run trail head on Canal Street in Apollo, with free bike demos, kids races and group bike rides.

Saturday’s events will wrap up around 5 p.m. with an after party with drinks from Helltown Brewing Company.

The adult races start 11:30 a.m. Friday morning. There are multiple classes of races, with longer, more technical courses for more skilled riders.

“We’ll have people from out of state driving into do this race, people who race at a professional class,” Reefer said.

Race registration begins at 9 a.m. and costs $30.