BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I'll be there.

Hey guys — slight change of plans. This ride will actually be meeting at *7pm* and departing at *7:30pm* so that we can go ice skating in Schenley Park afterwards (starting at 9:30).

Info about the skating rink is here: http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/schenley_skating_rink.htm

It costs $4 to skate and $2.50 to rent skates.

Edit same post as Pearmask

In the Facebook thread, I raised the idea of a post-ride ride from the rink back to Dippy, since there will likely be a few people who don't want to skate. I think it's important that we make clear that, while encouraged (it's a party, after all!) the skating part is voluntary.

To that end, I suggest we define the parameters of a post-ride ride. We ended a Flock ride at the rink once before, but split off in ones and twos, and it wasn't real obvious how you get back to Oakland. Overlook Drive is technically one-way, and where it dumps you out onto a street is actually at the top of Greenfield. This adds a nasty corner, and a quarter mile of Panther Hollow Rd (aka Blvd of the Allies)(i.e., fast traffic), not to mention the weird corner with the yield coming from that onto the bridge by Phipps. Although short, it's not bike friendly. Add that it's at night, and possibly snowing (or had earlier), and we have the makings for trouble.

I say this to point out that we should try to form a "critical mass" of cyclists, and form up as a group as best as possible. Whether there are four of us or 15, we would be safer together than four or 15 scattered.

I would be happy to help lead (or follow) that group. Really we need both, one person who knows the way in the dark, and one person who is lit up like a fire truck, in the rear.

Edit: Also need to make allowances and provide directions for people who are headed someplace other than Dippy, e.g., what's the best place to split off if headed for SqHill, ELib, HP, Hot Metal, etc.

Not an Ice skater but if the weather is ok I will still try to make this one. just to have a ride with you guys.

Stu, I think you are over thinking it a bit.

Would anyone actually think that the ice skating was mandatory if it wasn't explicitly stated otherwise? I really hope not.

As far as getting back to Dippy, I think it would be perfectly fine to carefully return back down the short section of Overlook, go under over pass and past Phipps to get back to Dippy.

Didn't we try to skate there before and the wait was an hour or two?

Sounds good !

Afaik, the skating optional. The destinatuonal choice was to end the ride at a location that can be fun for most and also not end at a bar. I applaud those for making the effort.

#changingthepace

why not end it at the super big nice rink at the new riverhounds stadium that also has a butt load of bike parking?

Variation on the theme is a great thing. I'm there. I had not thought much about it (which is my general condition in life) but I also commend the flexibility and the non-bar destination, there's folks that struggle with that.

+1 for riverhounds/station Square rink for bike parking. It's probably not a bad rack-n-roll option for some too.

The Penguins Pond rink at the new stadium is advertised as only being open through Jan 13, for whatever reason.

http://www.highmarkstadium.com/

Groups or people have to break away or take a detour sometimes, naturally. I think the ice skating should definitely be mandatory, but you have to wear your bike shoes, just to level the playing field, so to speak. I'm a little weak at ice skating, having never done it, but if Marvelous brings some good jams as he promised, it should be a snap. I'm looking for something Disco but I can work with Anthrax or Megadeth.

Marv plays Kesha. I am bringing ear plugs.

i'll be playing on ice on my bike somewhere in the woods. listening to good music.

Ah, I won't be there after all. 7:30 is just too late for me to be out. Also, I don't know how to skate

@stefb, the last time we tried we decided to wait until the adult session, which was two hours later, at 9:30.

Ah ok. I couldn't recall. I went home cause I was cold.

I'd love to go skating, but I need to be on a 9:50 bus out of downtown. I don't think it would be wise to plan a 15-mile solo night ride in January through the drunken suburbs.

Bump

i dont suppose this could be bumped foreward a week so we can go when its in the 50's?

HTFU

hush you whippersnapper.

I may actually make it to this one!

I'll try to make this one!

Marvel at this beautiful route.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/2708304

Goes right close to the Shrine to Mary...

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/9433

Ok seriously are you coming? I really miss you, and I will cry if you don't come. You know who you are and if you're not sure if its you, you should come just in case it is you.

You guys lied to me the ipod WAS fully charged. You missed a really good playlist with Nickel Back and Ke$ha.