BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

That is also downtown light-up night, no?

Yeah, that's the same night. I imagine some people will be there instead (it's okay, I'll forgive them) and/or perhaps even that people could be heading there after the ride

How about FOC starts at usual place and ends at lite-up start just at right time?

I could maybe be talked into doing this for once and moving my Friday night ride to a Saturday ride at the wheel mill (if its open by then) or rays.

dooo it do it do it (i'm gonna do your ride eventually once i get this cross bike, sooooo...)

And Mikhail, we're still figuring out what the post-ride plan is, because there are a few different things going on that night, but that is a possibility!

We were part of a parade last year, although there were only a dozen of us or so, or was that first night. Two years ago we went down and did a gallery tour. It would be nice to include the fireworks into the ride, and beverages from the casino parking deck. Wow do the years and events run together or what?

Sadly I am always away the third week of November, or will be until I get a new job...

I like Marco82's idea. I think it'd be fun to ride in and join up with a parade and then continue to the casino to watch fireworks.

I thought a trip to ray's was happening that day. 2 years ago, we locked our bikes up at the end of the jail trail (city side) and walked downtown cause the suburbanites are all angry that they are traffic and can be aggressive.

^I remember that!

@Marko, the parade was First Night. Wow, the years do run together...

Edited to say: we're in for the Flock ride!

I'm finish the route up now. I'm going to make it so that we can good to all the fun destinations that night.

Because November is National Palliative and Hospice Care Month, for this month's ride, we are teaming with a few friends of Flock who work with oncology patients to draw attention to the importance of this type of care. They will speak with us for a few moments before the ride to share some information about the philosophies of palliative and hospice care, and we will be riding in honor of our own friends and family members who are living with chronic or life-threatening illnesses as well as palliative and hospice care patients everywhere.

(^just as a heads up that we'll have some guests joining us and talking to us for a few moments — otherwise, it'll be just like any other party ride)

haven't decided yet if I'm going. The strip district is going to be a shitstorm leading up to the holiday, and I'll have to think about sacrificing sleep (sleep is my one true love) for this.

we're going to ray's. stef took a day off and everything. sorry.

I'm planning to be there.

In keeping with the "Light Up Night" motif, is there a Bike Light Up Night meme?

Recognition of brightest headlight? Taillight? Most Wacky Light?

Wacky and/or seasonally appropriate lights are definitely encouraged. Speaking of, I need to find my ridiculous wheel light setup.

BTW, the ride is going to end at OTB. There are a few different things going on that night, so officially ending at Light Up Night didn't work out this year. However, I think groups of people will be leaving from OTB to go to Light Up Night and other various events, so I suspect anyone who wants to end up there won't have trouble finding riding buddies.

hmm, i still have the glow cable sewn into my halloween costume...

^BE the BEE, my stripey friend!

i may jsut leave it in & rock the wings.

Where can i find the route map?

Just curious if the route includes downtown.

Here is the route. http://connect.garmin.com/course/2375378#.UKLyyQvMOaI.gmail

I am leaving an option for the choice to end at OTB or continue downtown to enjoy light up night.

Also please come out and ride with us as you can see from other post why Flock is important and why it was founded. Come ride with us to help spread the message that we want and need safer streets for cyclist.

Thanks.

I am working on getting at least four to join me.

May I ask a favor re Friday's ride? If anybody is going who's familiar with the Industrial Highway, if you remember and you see me would you please 'splain it to me?

I've heard discussions of it, I G-mapped it, and people have been patient with me in a related thread, but I can't quite wrap my limited-bandwidth noggin around whatever it is.

I'm a paunchy old guy, Surly LHT, reflective slow-mo triangles fore and aft.

Thanks in advance, Vannevar.

@Vannevar: If you're interested, I'd be happy to ride out to it with you...Sunday morning, perhaps?

Reddan: that's great, I appreciate it! look for a PM please. Thanks!

Join us on this ride, help us promote safe streets for cyclist. Who's riding with us?

Planning on it!

We'll be there!!!

I'll be there!

In.

Planning on being there!

I'll be there, with wacky/seasonal lighting. Well.....no...yeah....every season is road construction season right?

Does the ride still start at Dippy @ 6PM?

We're meeting at Dippy at 5:30 and leaving at 6pm.

did you guys ride down center avenue in shadyside i passed a bunch of bikes driving my bus i stoped and waved as they went past

We were on Centre Avenue from Craig Street to Negley Avenue and passed several buses, around 6:30 or 6:45 pm. I waved at a lot of people on the sidewalks and also drivers.

missed this. oh well.

[from my Facebook post]

It really helped to have a pre-set route. Even though I was stuck downtown until almost 6, I was able to jump on a P1 and bike towards the flock from East Liberty. It was such a cool sight seeing this cloud of tiny, blinking lights moving towards me on Centre!

@bear -- pretty sure I saw you if you have dark hair and were driving a white bus while smiling

That was cool!

We had quite a few "beeps of support" from cars along the way, and the usual jagoff or two in SUV who crosses the yellow line to pass the group at a red light.

Thank you to everyone who came out to Flock this year. I am so thankful to everyone who rode with us. Flock would not be successful without all of you. By participating in Flock of Cycles you all are helping us promote safe streets for all cyclist.

If you are interested in Flock continuing during the off season let us know. Post here if you want the rides to continue during the winter.

I'm a noob, so I don't assume standing, but I'd like to flock through the winter.

I say that because It'sAllAboutMe™, and when I have a ride on the calendar it's sooo much easier for me to overcome inertia and put on all the damn clothing and get out there.

The question is always the weather, and my suggestion is: schedule boldly, cancel wisely. Probably if it's flushy (a portmanteau of fugly-slushy) there's room for discretion being the better part of advocacy, etc)

Great ride last night, thank you, and thanks for hauling the tunes (which I loved). If you want somebody else to take a turn hauling the trailer I volunteer.

Last night was my first flock, and I had a great time! It is so cool to with the tunes, and all the lights. Lots of people honking and waving. I had to peel off 'cause my feet were getting too cold, but I am up for continuing through the winter. Those of you who saw my bike know that it can do winter!

EDIT- It was great to meet all of you who were there last night. Top notch folks one and all.

Twas lovely! Let's keep flocking and pretend that there is no off-season--"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the [slow, tuneful] completion of their appointed rounds." Thanks everyone!

Yes to winter rides! It has also been great to have the route vary and be posted in advance. Love the tunes (but maybe minus the advertising?). A few years ago we did a night time ride with holiday music, that could be fun to do again?

Many thanks to the organizers. Nice of the Palliative Care group to give Flock a donation - that was unexpected! I definitely have relatives who have benefitted from the unfortunate need for that level of nursing.

Mr Marvy, like Joanne sez, it was a blast, and we should keep flocking till we freeze solid. Glad we could come up the hill with you at the end of the night.

I have a great time doing flock and hope they carry on through winter.

In addition to a very positive vocal reaction both due to the music and the size of the group, I have noticed a good many people taking camera phone videos.

At least to me, It is a good sign intrigue is established. and being casual paced It is a perfect ride for anyone to join in.

It might be a good idea to have a few people pass out information on how to do so and what the ride is all about while in route.

Besides that thanks for the hard work organizers and see you in a month.

I also had a great time! Big thanks to Pearmask, Mr Marvelous, and everyone else who helped put this together!

[also copied/edited from a Fb post]

I vote for more winter Flock rides. The Feb 2011 Flock Ride was darn cold, but pleasantly well attended, maybe 15-20? We ended up at the Schenley Ice Rink.

The point is to show others how to deal with cold weather and ride safely anyway. Cancel if weather conditions threaten unsafe cycling, but cold isn't unsafe, just a factor to deal with.

I say YES to more winter Flock rides.

I'd continue to ride with you guys in the winter!

Also, if you forget the audio cable again just yell out what you need. I think I had what you needed one block away in my office!

The more flock rides there the better chance I can make it to them. I vote for em as well.

Keep it going!

Just wanna second what Mr Marv said - you're all awesome, thanks for coming out, etc etc. Flock people are the best people.

I'm thrilled to see that turnouts haven't dropped as it's gotten colder and that there is so much interest in more winter rides — so watch the board / website / Facebook / Twitter for details about more rides coming up soon

Oh, and here are some photos from Friday!

awesome pictures!

Okay, December 14th. Flock trailer playing ridiculous holiday music. Riders wearing ridiculous holiday sweaters. Bikes wearing ridiculous holiday lights. (I'll start a new thread for this in a sec.)