Ardmore Rock N’ Ride, Main Line Bike Race

LOWER MERION – The bike racers were back in Ardmore.

The 2023 Ardmore Rock N’ Ride and the Main Line Bike Race, an annual fundraiser for Narberth Ambulance Emergency Services, kicked off Saturday with lots of family events.

“This is truly a great day for the entire community, and we’re really lucky the Lower Merion commissioners and police support us because without the police and the commissioners we wouldn’t be able to hold this event,” Chris Flanagan, chief of operations for Narberth Ambulance said as the event was getting underway.

The free, outdoor, family-friendly event began a few years ago and has quickly morphed into a major event for Ardmore and Lower Merion by featuring numerous activities.

Narberth Ambulance has also partnered with the Ardmore Musical Hall to host a multi-stage concert featuring nationally renowned talent. As in other years, there was also a family fun zone.

“It allows us to have a community day that has something for everybody: kids, adults racers, healthy people, people how love music, people who just want to walk and take a look. So it’s good all the way around,” Flanagan said.

Still, the main event is an official USA Cycling bike race, with a youth bike race.

The racecourse consists of six sharp turns, starting on Lancaster Avenue, running through the center of Suburban Square, taking the Church Road bridge, and then cutting back to Lancaster Avenue. The course remains the same and highlights a finish line in the center of downtown Ardmore.

Organizers hope to raise $300,000 for Narberth Ambulance, building on last year’s success, which attracted over 7,500 attendees.

All proceeds will benefit Narberth Ambulance and ensure the community has access to life-saving 911 services provided by highly trained professionals with state-of-the-art equipment.

“Clearly it’s a fundraiser designed to help support us, bring awareness to our organization, so it all ties together in the mission,” Flanagan said.

The festivities were expected to extend to Saturday night. An amount raised was not yet available.