By DYLAN LUX
Contributing writer
The Roughneck Gravel Roubaix, an all-terrain bicycle race honoring the Oil Region with its paths named after historic people and places, saw an increase in the number of participants that far exceeded the event organizer’s hopes for the second annual race.
Hundreds of cyclists on Saturday took off from their starting point at Titusville Iron Works to make their way along five “roughneck” courses that totaled about 266 miles through four counties: Crawford, Venango, Warren and Forest.
Event organizer and founder Daniel Adam Diem, who is an Oil Region native, had been hoping for more than 260 racers. This year’s total of about 300 racers doubles the number of participants who turned out for the 2022 Memorial Day weekend event.
And those riders were people of all ages and from all over the country, from states such as Washington, Tennessee, Florida, Connecticut and Delaware.
This year’s event added a new trail — the Standard Oil route, a 22.8-mile ride through Oil Creek State Park and Pleasantville.
Diem’s “passion project” is designed to bring bikers together and help everyone feel included.
“Just (to) be inclusive for anyone who wants to do it. Whether they’re community members, or people traveling,” he said. “Getting people here to experience the region and see the beautiful roads, and the scenery that we have.”
Diem said he received overwhelming support for the project from the community, region and neighboring towns, and they have been “nothing short of supportive.”
Awards were handed out at the Drake Well BMX podium in Titusville.
Results from the event will be posted on roughneckgravelroubaix.com.
