The Trough Creek Gravel Grinder is a cycling, gran fondo, and gravel event held on Sunday, September 20, 2026. It is located in James Creek, Pennsylvania.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Blue Knob Mountain Bike Association Mountain Bike Challenge Blue Knob Mountain Bike Association (BKMTBA) is once again holding its 13.7-mile and 25.4-mile races that will incorporate both the trail
systems at Blue Knob All Season Resort and Blue Knob State Park on August 15, 2026. The primary purpose and goals of BKMTBA in hosting the festival and race are to draw attention, increase notoriety, and attract patronage to both Blue Knob All Season Resort and Blue Knob State Park. It is the belief of BKMTBA that the Blue Knob Mountain area, as a whole, and all of its amenities are relatively unknown within and outside the state. It is the stated goal of BKMTBA that by increasing the number of events that are open to the general public, as well as events that target specific groups, such as the mountain bike community, the Blue Knob Mountain area, and the surrounding communities of Blair, Bedford, Cambria, and Centre counties, the area will be identified as a weekend and vacation destination.
Blue Knob Mountain Bike Challenge has been registered and advertised on BikeReg.com services and website. Racers can follow the link to register. The site allows racers to register and pay through the site. The race will have ten categories that participants can choose from. For the 13.7-mile race, there are Men’s Open 18-49 y/o, Men’s Youth <18 y/o, and Men’s 50+ y/o, Women’s Open 18-49 y/o, Women’s Youth <18 y/o, and Women’s 50+ y/o. For the 25.4-mile race, there are two categories: a Men’s Open 18+ y/o and a Women’s Open 18+ y/o. We also have a single-speed category that will follow the 25.4-mile race course and is open to Men 18+ y/o and Women 18+ y/o. The registration fee for categories for men and women 18+ will be $50, and the youth categories will be $30. All registered racers will receive a complimentary race shirt. The top three finishers for each category will also receive a cash award. Race-day registrations and check-in will begin at 8:00 AM on August 15, 2026. Race-day
registrations will be an additional $10.00. The race will start promptly at 10:00 AM on August 15, 2026, rain or shine, for all participants aged 18 and above, and at 10:05 AM for all youth participants. Long Course: The race will begin at the Blue Knob All Season Resort clubhouse and work its way through the resort side single-track trails for its first stage, followed by a grueling climb up the slopes to the Blue Know lodge and the beautiful single-track trails on the Blue Knob State Park side. This year, the long course loop will take the riders down to Pavia, where they will begin the climb back to the ski lodge. The finish will be a fast and grueling downhill back to the resort for drinks, food, and fun. Awards and prizes will be presented at 2:00 PM on August 15, 2026, at the finish line. Short Course: The race will begin at the Blue Knob All Season Resort clubhouse and work its way through the resort side single-track trails for its first stage, followed by a grueling climb up the
slopes to the Blue Know lodge and the beautiful single-track trails on the Blue Knob State Park side. This year, the short course will take the riders around the Pavia Lookout Loop on the Blue Knob State Park side, then back to the ski lodge. The finish will be a fast and grueling downhill back to the resort for drinks, food, and fun. Awards and prizes will be presented at 2:00 PM on August 15, 2026, at the finish line.
Cycling Mountain Biking Trail
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Route
NEW route for 2026
30.2 Miles with 3,031 feet of elevation gain
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52988964
Race Day Schedule
7:30 AM -- Registration Opens
8:30 AM -- Registration Closes
8:45 AM --
Racer Meeting At Start
9:00 AM -- RACE START
12:00 PM -- Post Race Meal Begins
12:30 PM -- Awards Ceremony**
*Times are subject to change.
**Series awards will be after day of awards.
Included With Registration
Well-marked course
Chip Timing
Stocked Aid Stations
Event Shirt (If registered by 9/6/2026)
Post Race Meal
Medals For Top 3 In Each Category
Make sure you check out our website for more race information
www.trans-sylvaniaproductions.com/rlmbm
Refunds, Transfers, Deferrals
No transfers or deferrals under ANY circumstances until a race has sold out.
If race sells out (which is has the last three years), we will consider a transfer or deferral if we have someone on a waitlist.
Refunds available until May 31, 2026, of 75% of entry fee.
Refunds available until July 31, 2026, of 50% of entry fee.
No refunds after July 31, 2026, NO EXCEPTIONS.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PURCHASE THE RACE INSURANCE THAT IS OFFERED FROM THE REGISTRATION SITE. This covers the good majority of reasons we get from emails as to why a racer is not able to race.
Other 2026 Pennsylvania MTB Series Races
April 26, 2026 - Rattling MTB Marathon www.bikereg.com/rmbm
June 27, 2026 - Michaux MTB Marathon www.bikereg.com/mmbm
For more series information, visit www.trans-sylvaniaproductions.com/pmbs
Are you going to race all three races in the series? If so, why not save $15 and sign up for all three races at the same time. To do so, go to www.bikereg.com/pmbs and register for your desired category. You will only need to register one time as BikeReg will put you into each race from your series registration. This offer expires February 28, 2026, or once one of our series races are sold out.
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Cycling Marathon Mountain Biking