Intro from Pittsburgh

[joshuamarx]

Hello!

I've been spending time on this group for years, for inspiration and information, and for general entertainment. It's high time I join the group properly so I can contribute every once in a while.

I'm a proud owner of a 60cm 1st gen (I think) Cheviot, and a 59 cm MIT Atlantis--one of the demo completes that Riv sold a while back. Links to pictures are below (crossing my fingers that they come through properly). 

Pre-COVID, 99% of my riding was commuting (downtown Pittsburgh) and errand running. The non-commuting of COVID has really cut into my bike time--I may need to figure out how to work recreational rides into my life this spring!

Best,

Josh

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N8pdNanpBNGSY7fOQjHTdaXfIaXPgwP7/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eghSVYdTjSB2zc3nzY9X8cz8dgQvIbLl/view?usp=sharing

[E. Ricky Creek]

Welcome!

Cool bikes! 

My wife and I visited Pittsburgh a few years ago and brought our bikes. Lots of hills, lots of busses, but we had a great time pedaling around a new city. 

I moved to a new town a three years ago and my daily bike commute stopped being a daily thing. I found that recreational riding is boring if there isn't a theme or destination. I got back into film photography and now have things that I search out. Right now I'm super into ice freezers that you find outside of gas stations or liquor stores. I don't know why, but they seem really classic to me. Cemetery rides can be fun, too.  

[Roberta]

Welcome.

I was out to Pittsburgh about 1 1/2 years ago for business and I bought my bike.  Each day, I started at a different point on the GAP for a day ride, went south 10-15 miles and then back, as my hotel was in Pittsburgh.  It was 90*+ but you have some nice shade on that trail, and some beautiful views.

Roberta, in flat Philadelphia

[ascpgh]

Welcome Josh, from another orange Rivendell rider in Pittsburgh. I usually commute year round east end to CHP but have been off all winter following some non-bike related shoulder surgery. 

I'll contribute to finding some non-commuting rides this spring as I get back on the bike. It's bountiful and always possible to provide fun day or night around here!

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

On Monday, March 8, 2021 at 4:12:27 PM UTC-5 joshuamarx wrote:

[joshuamarx]

Thanks for the welcomes!

Roberta: bite-sized GAP rides sound like a good idea. My wife and I are thinking of doing a one-night ride on the GAP this summer. I had assumed we would just leave from town and try to make it to Ohiopyle, but maybe we should consider driving out and starting somewhere on the trail rather than spend 1/4 of our miles getting out of town (and familiar miles, at that). I'm sure this group would generate some decent recommendations...

Andy: I hope you heal up soon. I've noticed some of your PGH posts in the past, but don't think I have come across you IRL. 

Josh

[Rusty Click]

Welcome Josh!  Great looking bikes.

I ride around da 'Burgh on a 62 Atlantis or my 60 S. Hillborne however, this year has kept me mostly in the S. Hills. While I don't commute on my bike (retired), I love riding out to various spots to find neighborhood coffee shops, bakeries, see the eagles, etc.   My friends and I have done a few S24O's...they are a good way to see different sections of  trails.  I occasionally provide bike guide service for day trips and group rides with a local outfitter too.  There are plenty of good riding here in Pittsburgh.  Hopefully, we'll run into each other!

Rusty Click

[John Hawrylak]

Thanks for the Pittsburgh post.  Born and raised in Mt Oliver,  but been away for a longer time, but always enjoy Pittsburgh.

I always thought a ride down to Coraopolois and then riding the Montour trail would be nice.  Coraopolis can be reached via Wabash/Sheridan to the Rocks, and then Neville Island to avoid West Carson (or most of it via Station Square) and Rt51.  There maybe a bike path on the North Side, but you would have to cross the river at the high level bridge, which may not be great on a bike.   Or take a bus!!

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

  

On Monday, March 8, 2021 at 4:12:27 PM UTC-5 joshuamarx wrote:

[ascpgh]

Josh,

A riding group in Pittsburgh, although yet to declare a start to the usual Tuesday rides beginning in April. They've met at the coffee shop on N. Highland Ave. in Highland Park. All sorts and levels of riders. Neither a lycra drop ride, nor a tweed, sandal and sock ride either. All of the above. The group's been around so long that it's not absurd to be called out by bystanders far from the start point as we ride through neighborhoods.

Links to maps of many of the routes in and around town there, length varies based on available light from April to end of September. I've enjoyed participating in the rides since moving here in 2000 and have been on all of the mapped routes.

 

team-...@googlegroups.com

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh 

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 2:38:54 PM UTC-4 joshuamarx wrote:

[Robert Cantoni]

Hi folks! I'm visiting Pittsburgh for a few weeks and I've been enjoying biking around town on my 62cm Appaloosa. The bike infrastructure here is world class. If anybody else is interested in the group ride Andy mentioned above, they're called Team Decaf and you can find them at https://teamdecaf.tumblr.com — looks like group rides this year start June 1.

Anyone have a recommendation for a local bike shop?

Bob

[Dale Click]

Hi Bob, and welcome to town!

I have two recommendations for you if you are staying in/near town.  They are Kindred Cycles at approximately 25th and Smallman in The Strip district (near downtown proper), and my LBS of choice is Thick Bikes on the Southside on 15th near Carson. 

There are others if you are more towards PITT or Carnegie Mellon U.  Maybe Andy could pitch in for other east end shops. 

I would like to do some team De-Caf rides this year...I’ll check it out. 

Sláinte,

Rusty Click

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[ascpgh]

Hi Bob. 

I'll put in a strong vote for Kindred Cycles on Penn Avenue in the Strip District. Despite the concentration of students and universities there are not the tier of bike shops near campus you'd expect.One was Iron City Bikes on S. Bouquet but have consolidated into their Butler St. location. Catherine and Aaron are top class. Catherine build my Coast rando last year and handled all the custom built frame issues with aplomb. They stock RH tires, fenders, generator hubs, lights, etc. The things that many shops stare back blankly at you when you asked. Looking a little cluttered as they cope with both demand and product availability. 

A plethora of cool places to ride and see the city are around here. Where have you explored on you bike so far? One feature of Team Decaf rides is the they are all urban and explore interesting features and make use of the infrastructure you noted. I'm lucky to have both the. coffee. shop and the ride around the corner from me in my neighborhood but as you are probably discovering, they are all fairly proximate and accessible by bike. The kind of town where you see your favorite bike mechanic while you are both walking your dogs. 

Spring has sprung and I'm getting around on my bike again after shoulder surgery in December. I have puttered around for a few weeks and my legs are coming back, I'm trying not to outrun my upper body conditioning. Back to work tomorrow, hope to get a chance to ride (appropriately distantly) with you while you're in. town.

[Gabriel DeFelippis]

Bob,

I would suggest checking out Kraynicks but they might still be doing the majority of their work outdoors as the space is rather confined. Still worth checking out and Rocky is a nice guy that will help you out with anything. The previous owner was quite a character too. For an historic shop its worth checking out. We are lucky to have so many good bike shops currently.

Beyond checking out bike shops definitely check out Frick Park.

Also, you may see me cruising around soon in my Clem L once I get the bits and pieces all put on there.

-Gabe from Point Breeze

[joshuamarx]

Hello Bob! 

I hope you're enjoying Pittsburgh. Like Andy and Rusty, I'm a fan of Kindred on Penn in the Strip District. I've also used the Iron City Bikes Butler Street location quite a bit, since it's several blocks from my house. Fern Hollow is further east out in Point Breeze--I always enjoyed working with the owner, Nick, during the shop's previous incarnation as Love Bikes in Lawrenceville. They do vintage restorations, and there are usually some beautiful bikes there. 

I've been able to get a few shorter rides in in the past few weeks (mostly picking up 4-packs at some great local breweries, which is as good a way as any to plan a ride, I guess). 

It's funny that you should comment on our bicycling infrastructure. Upon reflection, I guess it really has come a long way. I guess, as a local,  I don't notice the incremental changes so much but they add up. Our local advocacy org, Bike Pittsburgh, does a great job!

Best,

Josh

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 6:58:52 AM UTC-4 ascpgh wrote:

[Robert Cantoni]

Andy and Rusty, thanks for the recommendations. I'm staying on the north side and so far I've been exploring the bike paths up and down the river. I've made it to the ends of the trails on the north side, but haven't explored the south side down to the GAP yet. That's on my list this week. I've also been up to Riverview Park.

I had the opportunity to stop into Bear Dog bicycles here on the north side the other day, and they liked the Rivendell on sight but it was new to them. Which is totally fine. I'll stop by Kindred Cycles and check out their selection — I'm looking for racks and lights.

Andy, I'd be happy to go for a ride this week or next. Glad to hear you're back on the bike!

Bob

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[bob saunders]

Another nod to Nick at Fern Hollow...not as convenient as he was when he was located in Lawrenceville, but worth the ride. If you’re looking to do some riding outside of the city itself, you can cross the Allegheny River and ride in Fox Chapel and the surrounding area. Decent coffee stops at The Coffee Tree in Fox Chapel Plaza and Beans and Cream in Aspinwall. A bit hilly and make sure to use a rear light, as the roads are not straight and they are narrow...always give yourself a chance...most drivers are used to cyclist on those roads. Always looking for a 60cm Rambouillet or Hillborne, so shout out if you know of someone in the market.

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[ascpgh]

Bob,  

Sorry for the drop off. Massive undertakings in my basement predicated by our all at once snowmelt, the two days of rain accompanying non-freezing temps along with a big intrusion of hyperlocal ground water flow by the city (we have a lot of clay soil in my neighborhood). I am valuing my rides much more now for a good number of reasons!

Riding has been sporadic but ongoing. Starting to get some regular times and looking forward to the Team Decaf resumption Tuesday evenings at Tazza D'oro next week. 

Email directly and maybe we could line up some riding. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

On Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 4:09:22 PM UTC-4 robert....@gmail.com wrote:

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[Pam Bikes]

Beautiful bikes!   A little OT but I wish someone would collect all these photos and print them on playing cards.  I love staring at Rivs and how everyone sets them up.  Love to look at all the configurations of bags, racks, lights, saddles, bars.

I'm not from there but my friend lived there and went to Cycle Symphony in Adamsburg.  Rob is the owner and built my rear wheel w/a Phil hub.