I hate putting my bike in my car and would really like to torture myself by adding a 30-mile round trip to a 200k. Is there a reasonable, non-deadly route from the East End to North Park?
2012-09-07 00:17:35
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09/08 & 09/09 2012: Weekend long ride opportunities
Saturday: There's a 200K group ride (not an official brevet, but using one of our usual brevet routes) leaving from North Park at 7 AM, heading north to Sandy Lake, and returning along more-or-less the same route. Check the Pittsburgh Randos group for details, and please RSVP to Jim Logan if you're planning to attend.
Sunday: The WPW Fall Rally, also out of North Park. 35, 65, and 100 mile marked routes, with vast quantities of food at the end.
2012-09-06 18:23:20
@pearmask: One simple route is Rte 8, left on Duncan, right on Babcock, then left on Pierce Mill...the start is at Olympia Grove, a couple miles ahead and on the right, just across from the skating rink.
You could also go into Millvale and straight up Babcock...just use caution while jogging left, then right across McKnight.
2012-09-07 00:44:44
Stef is considering riding out to the start point too. You two should coordinate. Buddy system yo.
2012-09-07 00:53:27
Thanks, Dan.
Buddy system, yes please. I'll talk to her.
2012-09-07 00:56:21
If you wish to avoid Route 8, you can follow Mt. Royal Blvd out of Etna, and take that to Duncan. You can also avoid much of Mt. Royal by following Little Pine Creek to Wetzel, then jog through a few neighborhood streets back to Mt. Royal.
2012-09-07 01:09:19
Yeesh, and I was planning to drive to the start. I may be shamed into riding it now.
Of course, if one rides through Perrysville, there's that Sheetz by CCAC, just a couple miles before the park...coffee and Schmiscuits before a 200K is an excellent idea...
2012-09-07 01:23:10
Sheetz is on Babcock now too.
2012-09-07 01:30:33
Driving is sounding more and more appealing just because Awake Unreasonably Early Sarah is even more navigationally challenged than regular Sarah, so if I ride I'm going to have to leave suuuper early to make sure I get there on time (i.e. to give myself time to get lost once or twice)... but I really hate driving. Maybe the promise of Perrysville Sheetz will be enough motivation to get me out of bed that early
ETA: This also reminds me that one of these days I've got to find a bike rack for my car, but that discussion would be enough for a whole other thread...
2012-09-07 01:30:59
Speaking of long rides...
1. Has anyone ever done this? I was just looking at the Bike PGH calendar and noticed it. Just curious. http://www.mctrails.org/pedal-the-lakes-2/
2. Anyone planning or interested in doing a ride of any longish distance this weekend (or this Thursday, which I have off, or next Thursday, or next weekend, etc.)? I haven't gotten a long ride in since the WPW Fall Rally, and I'm getting restless.
2012-09-25 03:45:35
I did similar on June 16th with PMTCC (it's on PMTCC calendar). We did 65 miles. All of us drove in the morning of event, biked it, had a lunch, and drove out.
2012-09-25 13:53:17
I did the Tour of Mercer County in June as well, it is put on by the same group. I did the 100 miles. It was well done, pretty well supported, but not very crowded. Nasty head wind for the last 10 miles, I wish I had someone to draft off of!
I was considering doing the pedal the lakes this weekend if it was nice, signing up last minute. I am down to car pool if anyone else is interested... Should start to see some good fall foilage color.
2012-09-25 17:36:48
check this out. should be an awesome event. the dirt rag/bicycle times folks really know how to put on a ride/party.
http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/granfondo
2012-09-25 17:38:09
check this out. should be an awesome event. the dirt rag/bicycle times folks really know how to put on a ride/party.
http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/granfondo
That looks like hella good fun. Wish I were free that day. 
2012-09-25 19:21:13