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Team Decaf Tuesdays

Dan sent out an email that they will start on April 9, but some of us may meet up tomorrow for a ride around town. 6:15 at Tazza on highland ave.
stefb
2013-04-01 09:46:08
Going to try and meet you guys there.
boostuv
2013-04-01 22:26:41
This may turn out to be a 21 mile 12 bridges ride. Meet at 6pm. We will probably leave then.
stefb
2013-04-02 10:53:15
1st unofficial team decafe ride of 2013 - three riders: Stef, Cliff, & Marko ETA: it was 36 degrees with steady 13 MPH wind, gusts to 23MPH. In other words a fine spring day in da'Burgh
marko82
2013-04-02 21:00:30
Ha, I was there at 18:14 and did not see anyone. i guess, you left at 18:00. :)
mikhail
2013-04-03 16:01:19
We left around 10 after 6. We got too cold and couldn't Stand around anymore. Sorry we missed you.
stefb
2013-04-03 17:31:00
Hoping this isn't cancelled tomorrow... Hope to ride with you guys again.
stefb
2013-04-08 06:34:10
Our first ride is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 9. I'm torn on which map to use. Yes, it's the first ride and it should be introductory-length, but hmmm, should it be just a little more challenging? We'll see. Bill Campbell and David Cohen are my co-ride leaders, same as last year. This week, Bill and I may show up with several maps and we can all choose which suits the crowd best. General need-to-know info: Rain cancels. As long as it's dry, the ride is on. There will be no notice given for cancellation if it's wet. The starting point is Tazza D'oro Cafe, 1125 N. Highland, Highland Park. We leave at 6:15 sharp. Ride speed is medium-to-fast paced. We usually break in to several groups, based on riders' skill/speed levels. You must be able to keep up with the group or you may be left behind. We don't have sweep riders. Free to all. Maps and directions provided. Helmets and waiver sign-in required. Over 18 years old. We ride every Tuesday, April thru September. Due to the shorter daylight and legs that haven't been riding through the winter, our first ride will be under 20 miles. Lights recommended. Contact me via text 412.five five nine.4001, email or cell if you have any questions. Other ride maps and more info on the Team Decaf website: http://teamdecaf.com/
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-08 12:58:33
Is the age limit new?
sarah_q
2013-04-08 14:01:03
@sarah-q. No, the age limit has been around for fifteen years, it's just been ignored when parents bring their kids. I'm going to check with the WPW - maybe there's something insurance-wise or legal I don't know about. I've basically used the same rules that were passed down to me when I started leading.
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-08 16:46:20
oh okay .... oops, I had no idea! I don't want to get WPW in trouble but my kid is training for his third season in triathlon so it's nice when I can bring him to some of the rides. He has done the WPW fall rally 40 mile ride 2x too -- I think you rode with us one year Dan. :)
sarah_q
2013-04-08 17:01:28
^No worries, bring him to the Decaf rides, of course. I recall you asked a few years ago and I've been totally okay with it. I had forgotten he was at the fall rally, but you jogged my memory on that one - so maybe it isn't a WPW rule after all (or one they don't enforce when parents are there). I'll check the WPW group, see if there's anything to tell. In the meantime, yes, bring your son, I know he can kick butt when he's in the saddle!
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-08 19:54:00
I do not want the first ride to be the Fox Chapel ride. I haven't done much serious climbing over the winter.
marvelousm3
2013-04-08 20:13:15
^ Guaranteed, not Fox Chapel, mm.
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-08 21:39:55
Htfu
stefb
2013-04-09 05:37:01
Why does rain cancel? Do you guys melt?
stefb
2013-04-09 05:38:11
I'm made of sugar.
marvelousm3
2013-04-09 05:40:49
moot point for me today --- my doctor said no exercise today due to an ear infection. I need to get my kid a new bike anyway -- he keeps growing! Not only does he need a new wardrobe every spring he also needs new bikes. Maybe we will go bike shopping instead. :)
sarah_q
2013-04-09 06:49:39
Also, Dan, just thought of this.... I run a high liability event for the pgh tri club (open water swims). Kids can come but a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign the waiver. I imagine it's the applies here -- a parent has to sign a waiver for the minor. So a parent can't bring their kid's friend bc of liability, for example.
sarah_q
2013-04-09 08:30:29
@mm. Sugar has many states: Powder on top of doughnuts, soft as in taffy, or hard as in peanut brittle. It’s only a matter of choice. /end snide remark
marko82
2013-04-09 09:35:56
@mm: you would remain spice and everything nice, so don't worry (too much).
ahlir
2013-04-09 09:45:50
I'm getting the new bike ready so I can get dropped in style today.
marvelousm3
2013-04-09 14:52:38
Anyone else departing from downtown, how is straight up Center Ave as a rush hour route? Was planning to depart from from the Steel Plaza T stop steps at 6th and Ross around 5:25 if anyone else feels inspired for a group ride before their group ride, blind leading the blind style.
byogman
2013-04-09 15:11:24
Who has two thumbs and rode in the lead group the whole ride? This guy.
marvelousm3
2013-04-09 19:27:26
Congrats mm! and welcome to the front of the ride.
marko82
2013-04-09 19:50:29
@Marko thanks and thank you for teaching me how to shift properly.
marvelousm3
2013-04-09 20:06:59
@sarah_q You are correct. I checked with Jim Logan, President of WPW. A parent must be present and sign the waiver for the minor. Great first night for Decaf - an actual warm breeze. Officially, 42 riders
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-09 20:33:50
i had myself a wee bit of fun, now if i could only shave 20 pounds off the weight of my bike and an inch of the width of the tires. hmm, i might actually go fast then. @byogman glad to see the non-spandexers represent. you were kicking more ass than an all donkey karate tournament. but perhaps next time change the dress shirt for a basic T. :)
pbeaver
2013-04-09 22:48:33
Team look at our feet while we struggle to clip in :)
stefb
2013-04-10 06:54:28
pbeaves, you were going plenty fast there, too. Bike is a factor, but you can't discount sheer stubbornness. And drafting... wow, I love riding in a group. I (nearly) regretted the push later that evening (took 2 naproxen and 10 minutes of stretching to get my body (mainly lower back) in a pain free enough state to sleep). But all was well after that. As for the mode of dress, I'll probably always be an outlier. Maybe not always a dress shirt, but likely not spandex, and at least, I'll always have tzitzit (the threads you maybe saw hanging from where my shirt tucked to the pants), so I'll always have two layers on top and sweat like crazy. The real problem was the backpack trapping it all. Taking it off at the end and see just how soaked I was underneath was hilarious and more than a bit gross.
byogman
2013-04-10 07:41:50
We all have back sweat like that if we commute or carry anything on the back. It just shows up moreso on certain clothes than others. I always forget what the name for those threads were.. I think I ask my boss twice a year and forget every time.
stefb
2013-04-10 11:53:31
I think the shirt I was wearing that day had a near optimally ridiculous wet vs. dry contrast ratio.
byogman
2013-04-10 12:23:28
Great Time! +1 on byogman impressing me.
smarti6
2013-04-10 12:34:15
+1 on Shawn moving in front to screen the wind for me on the jail trail.
byogman
2013-04-10 12:43:42
@byogman I say wear what you want. I think wearing dress shirts during rides is stylish. Do what makes you comfortable. I hope you plan to join us on every Tuesday ride.
marvelousm3
2013-04-11 14:57:11
My dress shirt was loose and lightweight enough to serve and I'm going to have to be washing it anyway from wearing it on the ride in and during the day, so why make more dirty laundry? My attire has always been most heavily influenced by my laziness (cheapness comes in a close second). My wife does prefer the button down shirts, so for an easy win at home I wear them. But hearing that any aspect of anything I'm wearing is "stylish" is unexpected, and kind of hilarious to me. But thank you. Future Tuesdays... well, there are three kids at home, so it's a bit of a negotiation... I'll make as many as I can.
byogman
2013-04-11 15:23:05
you can always take a hint from Macklemore about spending wizely, the last 8 "tech-cloth" shirts i picked up were from goodwill for under $3 each. its pseudo-spandex/dri-release/sweat separator kinda stuff. just have to look around the store a bit, but they tend to get mixed in with the tshirts.
pbeaver
2013-04-12 07:38:05
^+++++ Macklemore! And thrift shops, for that matter. :D
edmonds59
2013-04-12 07:51:37
Just got from TD. :) Hello Riders, Looks like a great day to ride tomorrow. General need-to-know info: A ride map is attached - we'll repeat our introductory ride from last week. If you need more of a challenge, feel free to choose the optional 57th Street hill and take a lap or 2 around Highland Park. Rain cancels. As long as it's dry, the ride is on. There will be no notice given for cancellation if it's wet. The starting point is Tazza D'oro Cafe, 1125 N. Highland, Highland Park. We leave at 6:15 sharp. Ride speed is medium-to-fast paced. We usually break in to several groups, based on riders' skill/speed levels. You must be able to keep up with the group or you may be left behind. Co-leaders Bill Campbell and David Cohen generally lead the fast-paced group. I'll be leading the medium-paced group. We don't have sweep riders. Free to all. Maps and directions provided. Helmets and waiver sign-in required. Over 18 years old. Contact me via text, email or cell if you have any questions. Other ride maps and more info on the website: http://teamdecaf.com/ danO
mikhail
2013-04-15 14:39:27
I will not make it this week, going to my daughters gymnastic event to cheer her on.
marvelousm3
2013-04-15 15:00:42
until i can get my schedule changed, i'm out.
pbeaver
2013-04-15 16:35:58
Should we stop by to cheer her on too? :)
mikhail
2013-04-16 08:44:19
All are welcome. But then who is going to ride with Dan? We can't let him ride alone so go and enjoy the ride.
marvelousm3
2013-04-16 08:46:53
Last time I checked, rain was likely. I regrettably can't make it regardless. Will shoot for next week.
byogman
2013-04-16 11:26:50
I hope you guys made it back before the storm hit.
marvelousm3
2013-04-16 18:53:36
Yep!
stefb
2013-04-16 19:10:10
happily dry
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-16 20:12:33
mr marvelous wrote:I hope you guys made it back before the storm hit.
I got wet on my way to work (started by Elseworth/Negley and almost finished by the time I was on Technology drive). Pretty warm. Big drops hurt a little when you are going 18-20 mph.
mikhail
2013-04-16 22:28:16
Has the route for tomorrow been decided? I'd like to come but I leave work when the ride starts, so I'm going to try to intercept the group.
ted
2013-04-22 19:46:31
The route is "Go Forward" it can be found on my website at http://www.teamdecaf.com 18 miles
teamdecafweekend
2013-04-22 20:35:04
I will try to be there. After taking a few days off of work, I usually have a lot to catch up on. And we will see how it feels to sit on a saddle again :)
stefb
2013-04-22 20:41:34
Aw man, I wish I was still in the area! That's my favorite Team Decaf route
richw
2013-04-22 21:59:51
Nice to know you're still out there Rich...
marko82
2013-04-22 22:53:04
ahhhh one of my favorite routes and I am sick! booooooo :(
sarah_q
2013-04-23 09:24:31
I plan on going to the 5pm ride @ Reynolds and S. Lexington to show support for the child hit yesterday. I think it would be cool if the decafe ride swung by for a few minutes at the beginning, and we could continue our ride to Schenley from there. Just a suggestion, please don’t feel obligated. http://localhost/mb/topic/bikers-hit-at-reynolds-and-s-lexington/
marko82
2013-04-23 13:25:59
Marko82 wrote:Nice to know you’re still out there Rich…
Definitely didn't fall off the face of the earth. Just spending my days biking around the Wyoming Valley.
richw
2013-04-23 15:51:00
Sadly couldn't make either ride. Gah! Maybe can start group riding again next week.
byogman
2013-04-23 16:49:25
Marko, hope you got Your chain fixed and got back home ok. That was fun. Good to be back on the bike after a few days off.
stefb
2013-04-23 19:41:57
@stefb we ended up ending almost an hour after you. My handlebars fell down during the ride making finishing the ride difficult.
marvelousm3
2013-04-23 19:46:00
Ouch. Sorry. I kinda took off. I didn't do such a great job of doing a recovery ride but I feel incredible.
stefb
2013-04-23 19:50:48
There were a lot of new riders in the slow group, I don't think you would have like the slow pace we kept. I almost flipped over the bike when the bars fell.
marvelousm3
2013-04-23 19:52:22
Glad you are ok. I saw mrs marv and miss marv walk by Tazza at the end.
stefb
2013-04-23 20:28:17
The chain was no big deal. The quick link busted open going over that moon scape somehow, but I carry an extra one with me so it was a two minute fix. I knew that ten pounds of crap I carry would come in handy someday - and the 3g link is the part I needed. Oh well.
marko82
2013-04-23 21:02:36
Is it safe to say this is cancelled? I don't know if the weather is going to clear up or not.
marvelousm3
2013-05-07 15:49:27
I stopped by on the way home from work at 5:55pm. One of the ride leaders was there but believed the ride was gonna be cancelled. I know it was just sprinkling but I guess any kind of rain cancels.
stefb
2013-05-07 17:48:00
... of course soon after 6pm the drizzle stopped (in Oakland) and the sky started to lighten up. Had a nice relaxing ride home though.
ahlir
2013-05-07 18:55:27
Sorry to all that I can't pay attention to the thread some days. I talked to Bill around 5:15 and it had gone from drizzle to steady drizzle in shadyside. Radar looked bad, we decided no one would show. Of course it cleared up later, yoi.
teamdecafweekend
2013-05-07 21:34:46
Just found out from Bill that he and one other rider did twenty miles.
teamdecafweekend
2013-05-07 21:42:21
May I suggest that this Tuesday's ride go to Schenley Park ice rink so people can drop in on the Open Space planning meeting from 18:00-20:00? I know not all of us are mountain bikers, but this seems like a pretty important cause considering it appears that legally, mountain biking in Frick is on very shaky ground at the moment. http://localhost/2013/05/10/why-mountain-bikers-need-to-show-up-to-the-citys-open-space-planning-meetings/ Just a thought; I know it completely overlaps the Decaf ride schedule.
mpm
2013-05-10 14:05:29
Hope there is a good turnout tonight. Weather seems perfect, but I came down with a cold and I am gonna miss it. Have fun!
stefb
2013-05-14 17:12:40
I was not able to make the ride I hope you all had a great ride.
marvelousm3
2013-05-14 18:18:55
I saw a large crowd of cyclists turning off of General Robinson to go over the 7th St Bridge about 7:40. Was that you guys?
stuinmccandless
2013-05-14 21:38:38
^Yep, that would have been us. We rode to Riverview Park tonight. We crossed the 7th Street bridge on the return trip. We had broken into several groups, as always, so you probably didn't see everyone at one time. Our total was 33 riders that signed our form. Probably another 2-3 people who didn't sign in, just latched on after we started. Great evening for a ride - 23.47 miles, avg. speed 13.1 in my group. Fun. Rode past your house on the way back, stefb. Sorry to hear you were inside suffering!
teamdecafweekend
2013-05-14 22:11:07
Just an annoying cold, but enough to keep me in and make me sad that I missed what I consider perfect weather for riding. I should be there next week
stefb
2013-05-15 03:35:32
After watching the movie "Stick It" my daughter is obsessed with gymnastics, and gymnastics is on Tuesdays at 6pm. I may not return to the Tuesday rides.
marvelousm3
2013-05-15 03:42:47
@mr marvelous: maybe you could show her Breaking Away or American Flyers and get her obsessed with bikes? Then you could bring her to the rides maybe?
jaysherman5000
2013-05-15 08:06:54
She watched Premium Rush and it she thinks bikes are as silly because the movie was silly.
marvelousm3
2013-05-15 09:08:34
Ouch, tough break. I only saw the previews for that movie and decided that it wasn't worth watching. I think E.T. would be a better pro-bike movie than Premium Rush. Idea: can we have E.T. as the featured movie-in-the-park at bikefest this year? I have a VHS version (with shotguns!) that I'm willing to lend to the cause.
jaysherman5000
2013-05-15 10:00:59
AHHHHHH I am scared of ET. count me out!
stefb
2013-05-15 14:46:43
2 Seconds - A decent, but weird bike movie.
benzo
2013-05-15 15:08:54
AHHHHHH I am scared of ET. count me out!
He's got a face like a friendly turd. What's to be afraid of? (I hereby offer 1 bajillion internets, plus a beer, to the first person who can identify the book and/or author(s) with the "face like a friendly turd" line. WITHOUT using a search engine.)
reddan
2013-05-15 17:18:11
I think I can make this ride, who is coming? I might stay with TDW group and not the front pack because of the heat.
marvelousm3
2013-05-21 15:30:29
I hope the ride stops before the ride.
marvelousm3
2013-05-28 11:22:05
^^ hey mm - Well, the ride won't stop before the ride, but the rain stopped - hahaa!
teamdecafweekend
2013-05-28 16:11:19
Hahaha. I really need to stay off the message board with spelling like that.
marvelousm3
2013-05-28 16:24:13
I missed it. :( A lot of work and I was out just past 18:05. no way to make it.
mikhail
2013-05-29 15:53:24
I always seem to miss the major Taylor rides. When I passed the group tonight, they were leaving OTB, and I was on my way there to eat dinner directly after work. I am fortunate that I can manage to make it to the decaf rides, but just barely and with a full stomach.
stefb
2013-05-29 22:46:15
Off Topic. Stef, this is for you. :)
mikhail
2013-05-30 13:53:13
I love love love love the Tuesday Team Decaf Rides.
marvelousm3
2013-06-04 20:04:20
41 Riders last night. Next week, the slow group will take on Greenleaf!
teamdecafweekend
2013-06-05 06:23:58
Oh crap, I just remembered that I have a business event to attend next tuesday evening, so the slow group is going to have to decide about riding greenleaf without me. Other ride leaders will handle the mob.
teamdecafweekend
2013-06-05 06:37:01
West End overlook? I could have rid part way home with you folks.
edmonds59
2013-06-05 07:29:32
So the arts festival is happening, pirates are in town, and NKOTB/boyz II men is happening also tonight
stefb
2013-06-11 13:02:52
I've found a rabobank water bottle (full) just as we passed 40th street on the way out. Anyone?
mikhail
2013-06-12 00:16:24
It is pouring in bethel park. Is this cancelled? Is it raining in the city?
stefb
2013-06-18 15:46:47
Not raining yet downtown, but it's looking dark outside. The radar is looking spotty. I think I may head over and try unless I hear offical word that it's called.
smarti6
2013-06-18 15:49:54
5:20pm - it's raining in Baldwin, i'm out.
marko82
2013-06-18 16:22:35
The main big storm has passed off to the east as of 5:15, but there may be showers all evening. Your call. I might see you all on the way home.
stuinmccandless
2013-06-18 16:28:50
Next time we do the fox chapel ride, I am bringing my fixie. Last year i brought my fuji, the SRAM rear derailleur exploded and now my non -drivetrain side crank arm fell off. It's kinda hard to unclip it from a shoe when it isn't attached to a bike!
stefb
2013-06-18 19:01:47
^Crazy-bad luck for you on this route stef, jeez. Rain? What rain? 22 riders stayed dry.
teamdecafweekend
2013-06-18 21:21:39
I hate lightning!!!!!!
marvelousm3
2013-06-25 18:37:14
I love lightning!!!! Just not while I'm biking.....
marko82
2013-06-25 19:54:26
Glad everyone made it back ok. @Marko82 I agree, I love lightning just not while I'm out riding.
marvelousm3
2013-06-25 20:10:39
Yow. That was some storm... These Tuesdays I seem to have work stuff until 6pm or later. Sigh, not much Decaf. Still, if you ignored those Thunderstorm Alerts the evening looked pretty nice: puffy clouds, blue sky. Those meteo people never quite seem to get it quite right, do they? Especially in our little 'burgh. Time for a ride! A half hour later the wind picks up, and the air gets a bit colder. Bah. The darker sky looks off to the east somewhere. I was headed east but surely not that far; a glance at the cloud movement above does nothing to contradict this assessment. But then things started to move faster. Windier, colder, darker. Oh-oh, now what? I decide to shorten my ride and head straight home. Half-way up Shady I feel a drop. Must have imagined it. A little later a feel a couple more. Hmm. Then I start to notice spots on the pavement. Maybe rain is finally here. By Northumberland it's really coming down: drops are bouncing off the pavement and I'm soaked through. Just a few more blocks... I make it, but not quite in time to get all the windows closed. At least I managed to get a nice ride in. Hope the Decaf did OK.
ahlir
2013-06-25 20:15:29
Slower group made it through Allegheny cemetery, but then took shelter in the CMU parking lot on Forbes. Waited out the worst of it then headed back to tazza/home. Wet, but not soaked. Just short of ten miles on my odometer.
teamdecafweekend
2013-06-25 20:38:46
Ahlir wrote:Still, if you ignored those Thunderstorm Alerts the evening looked pretty nice: puffy clouds, blue sky. Those meteo people never quite seem to get it quite right, do they? Especially in our little ‘burgh. Time for a ride!
Storms can come out of nowhere... sometimes you can actually see it coming. Probably more so, since I'm currently living out in the flat-lands but this is likely the same storm system.
headloss
2013-06-26 00:33:59
I rode a bit afterwards but had no bright lights to stay out longer.
stefb
2013-06-26 03:40:38
Well, I had 21 miles on mi odometer. But I rode to tazza from 2nd (extra 5.6 miles) and rode a little bit after. Fast group was "washed out". Cherry reported that at some point car stopped since drivers could not see and bikers took glasses off by same reason bu bikers did not stop.
mikhail
2013-06-26 09:00:12
Mikhail wrote:at some point car stopped since drivers could not see and bikers took glasses off by same reason bu bikers did not stop.
Unlike wimpy motorists, cyclists know to follow Rule 5... I didn't ride my bike with the odometer that day (and in any case I've grown fond of the Endomondo), but I remember having to deal with water getting into the space between the mechanism and the leads, messing things up. Wireless helps. As do baggies.
ahlir
2013-06-26 20:50:08
Big big props to Dan for changing the route from the planned Fox Chapel course to Zoom the Tombs. Multiple trees down across Fox Chapel during Tuesday's storm, and Hunt Road in particular was still closed yesterday afternoon to deal with a downed tree over a power line. Not to mention, we would all have been crawling under rocks to get out of that out there, as there is no where to hide. Attaboy, Dan! Thanks again.
atleastmykidsloveme
2013-06-27 07:04:11
I'm planning to be there tonight (7/2), looks like we have enough break in the radar to finish the ride.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-02 15:41:11
I'm out. Father daughter fun time for me.
marvelousm3
2013-07-02 16:40:08
If I told you what happened to Dan and I on the ride everyone would say I'm being dramatic.
marvelousm3
2013-07-09 19:57:13
I can't decide if it involved weather, cops, shitty drivers, or some combination... do tell.
salty
2013-07-09 20:11:31
^Man I hope it involves "woohoo" girls....
marko82
2013-07-09 20:26:17
Marcel is gonna get a white steak in his hair like the dude who got struck by lightening over and over in "the great outdoors"
stefb
2013-07-09 21:21:25
The second half of that ride last night was bizarre - felt like we ran into a lightning bolt every time we turned... was especially frantic as we kept ending up atop hills!
atleastmykidsloveme
2013-07-10 08:34:50
I think you have a better chance of winning th lottery Than being hit by lightening
stefb
2013-07-10 15:15:47
"Never tell me the odds"
marvelousm3
2013-07-10 16:47:35
A little lightning, a few cops, a dozen or so woohoo girls... What could be more fun than a team decaf ride, eh?
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-10 21:15:25
A controlled slide while attempting to stop quickly. I swear I didn't hear a single person day they were stopping suddenly. I am kinda deaf though, too.
stefb
2013-07-10 21:46:21
i heard you have a better chance of being taken out by sudden, un-announced group stops on gravel than lightning.
cburch
2013-07-10 21:53:35
dammit i was busy putting a job quote together and stef beat me to it
cburch
2013-07-10 21:54:49
Any east-ender have a handle on the weather for this evening? Looks bad where I am in North Hills.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-16 15:54:53
Near my house power is out and trees are down.
marvelousm3
2013-07-16 16:01:55
I'm still going to be there - we'll see what's up when I get there. thanks, mm.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-16 16:08:15
It looks like it stopped raining at Technology Drive and radar looks OK. But it is wet.
mikhail
2013-07-16 16:21:26
No electricity at my house in morningside either. Just wet.
stefb
2013-07-16 16:39:44
I'm out for this ride. Getting the family out of this powerless hot house.
marvelousm3
2013-07-16 16:49:20
It was a small-ish group today. Fun ride. Still don't like going down Suffolk.
stefb
2013-07-16 20:05:57
i didn't much like all the "going up" parts, but going down spring hill was uber-fun.
pbeaver
2013-07-16 20:38:19
14 riders. Still no electric at my house - Wednesday morning. Jeez, lots of big, big trees down.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-17 07:35:38
stefb wrote:Still don’t like going down Suffolk.
Ha-ha. I was even slower. :) With bigger weight I had to shift my butt all the way back (like almost behind my seat). PS I need a couple of lessons in descending from cburch. :)
mikhail
2013-07-17 12:11:40
There is a storm coming. Is this on?
stefb
2013-07-23 16:32:22
We stood around BS'n in the rain, then road home. One of these days we'll complete a Tuesday ride without rain...
marko82
2013-07-23 19:01:12
Ha-ha, Cherry and I got up to Trek around 18:09 when it started to rain. So we got inside of Trek and I SMS-ed TeamDecaf. :) He answered that only few left to wait until rain would end. But it rained and rained and rained. So we turned around and went home too.
mikhail
2013-07-23 20:28:36
I went out at 7pm on my own.
stefb
2013-07-23 21:17:25
campB said nine people hung out long enough to do a seventeen mile route. Three new riders among them.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-23 21:18:07
I'm still sitting around in my spandex.
marvelousm3
2013-07-23 21:28:05
Well I am surprised people waited out the rain and rode on wet streets. I am happy with the 20 miles I got in. I found mccandless st and rode up that for the first time and found a street in Stanton heights where you can see downtown.
stefb
2013-07-24 03:17:36
It was wet the first third, then it got really nice. By the final half, the sun was out and it was gorgeous. I'm really glad we waited it out. Nice ride!
atleastmykidsloveme
2013-07-24 06:33:22
Yeah the east and north dried up and got sunny first, yet the west and south looked dark. It was pretty cool looking and nice riding weather.
stefb
2013-07-24 22:54:21
Which route tonight?
mpm
2013-07-30 12:15:10
Awesome weather!
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-30 16:11:57
Fifty four riders tonight! Fiddyfour! 54. Holy crap.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-30 21:14:58
Dang. I thought I wold make it today. It was 6:25 at Highland and Stanton... Is that 6:15 "sharp" for real? I did not see any bikers coming down the road, so I turned right. Was it my (lack of) glasses?
ahlir
2013-07-30 21:28:38
Yeah, we're pretty serious about leaving on time. We vary, maybe five minutes occasionally, but mostly we leave on time. Sorry we missed you, Ahlir.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-30 21:35:12
I wasn't able to make it to another ride. It's a conspiracy!
marvelousm3
2013-07-30 21:40:44
okay, okay.. maybe next week. I miss those rides.
ahlir
2013-07-30 21:42:46
i woulda been there, but i had a date. :-D
pbeaver
2013-07-31 01:38:43
TeamDecaf wrote:Fifty four riders tonight! Fiddyfour! 54. Holy crap.
Did you count me? I did not signed up.
mikhail
2013-07-31 09:34:14
I only counted those who signed in, so yeah, you're #55, Mikhail.
teamdecafweekend
2013-07-31 09:45:08
TeamDecaf has sent the following e-mail:
Hello Riders, We're going to repeat last wee's ride "Ride the Ridges." Map created by Bill Campbell. See attached. Ride with GPS map links (thanks to Mikhail!): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3023329 And two extensions for slightly longer rides: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3023336 http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3023464 And the typical basics about our rides if you've never joined us... The starting point is Tazza D'oro Cafe, 1125 N. Highland, Highland Park. We leave at 6:15 sharp, rain cancels (no formal notification). Ride speed is medium-to-fast paced. We usually break in to several groups, based on riders' skill/speed levels. You must be able to keep up with the group or you may be dropped and left behind. We don't have sweep riders. Contact me via text, email or cell if you have any questions. Other ride maps and more info on the website: http://teamdecaf.com/ danO
mikhail
2013-08-12 23:07:49
Didn't get an email about tomorrow's ride. They end at the end of sept right? And do the caffeine rides even exist anymore?
stefb
2013-09-02 22:43:35
We're on for tonight - Ride the Ridges - Southside. Our last ride of the season is September 24. And no, there are no Caffeine rides, just Decaf.
teamdecafweekend
2013-09-03 08:40:10
while a bit skeptical how i'd handle climbing 18th on the ss, glad i went last night & rode up that hill. i was easier than the west end overlook. had super good fun too.
pbeaver
2013-09-04 12:29:02
Silly question, are these rides going? Is one going tonight?
byogman
2014-08-26 16:09:03
Thanks Dan for an awesome ride and Mikhail for saving my behind with camelback elixir when I was cramping badly (yet again). Note for the future. This is GOOD stuff. Must go and buy. Rushing to the point of not eating, not have a water bottle cage on the bike... BAD. At South Millvale and Liberty, tried to stretch out my cramps for a while, talked to bumper bike dude for a while. Will update that thread.
byogman
2014-08-26 21:06:39
I think I saw some of you guys on my commute home, when you passed me on Beechwood.
jonawebb
2014-08-27 09:34:57
Can someone explain what this means? I don't speak roadie yet. "Ride rating is C+-B/3+/22: We break into several groups from Medium to Fast pace, few stops; 3+ = moderate+ hills; and 22 is the average number of miles we'll cover. The ride is NOT for the novice and NOT for the race enthusiast. Think middle." Could I get an idea of average speed maybe? I want to be able to do those kinds of rides in the future, but I don't want to make an ass of myself before I'm up so snuff. This whole a, b, c thing is really confusing. Is there maybe a guide for translation somewhere on the internet? Thanks
htric
2015-04-06 13:59:15
The ratings are listed somewhere but they can be rather subjective in my experience. The deCafe rides are well organized and fun. It usually starts out with two or three groups fast/mid/slow. Expect to do high teens/very low twenties on the flats with the fast group, tapering to low teens for the slow group. But since the rides are mostly in the city, traffic lights and such will keep your overall pace quite a bit lower. The nice thing is that you can start with a faster group and if it's too fast a pace just drop back and join one of the slower packs since everyone is riding the same route. This is a friendly ride and no one cares how fast you ride or what pack you start/stay with. If you are interested at all I'd suggest giving it a try - especially since the first few weeks are shorter and more flat. Be warned though that this is not billed as a "no drop" ride, but since most routes are centered around the city you are never that far from where you started (or a bus).
marko82
2015-04-06 14:57:19
Someone will post a useful pointer eventually. As a rule of thumb I use the following as average flat speeds (in mph): C=14, B=18, A=22; the +/- annotation means add/subtract ~2mph. The next number codes difficulty; 3 would be a typical Pittsburgh ride covering from a river to a hilltop (like Mt. Washington). The last number is distance. Of course as Marco points out, it's the city and there's stops. So, the example ride will probably take somewhat less than an hour and a half and involve some huff'n puffin' up hills. If you're not quite sure where you fit in, take a ride up and down the Jail Trail and see what you get; that's probably your inherent flat speed. A nice thing about the Decaf ride is that it indeed sorts out by speed, and you can always drop behind if it's too fast. It's not no-drop but the slowest group is effectively no-drop(ish). Check it out; you can always veer off along the way (though maybe shout "goodbye" so people don't worry).
ahlir
2015-04-06 15:16:20
Yep, all of the explanations make good sense to me. Thanks to all who pitched in and thanks for your compliments and recommendations about the rides. Personally, I've been a bit of a slug recently, so I expect to be on the slowish side for our first week. Happily slow. See you on the road, every Tuesday, unless it's raining.
teamdecafweekend
2015-04-06 20:31:08
Thanks guys. As of last night I was averaging 13 mph on a 32 mile ride to McKeesport and back. I think I could definitely hang with the C's. Now all I have to do is convince my husband to come along, and I'm in. Thanks so much!
htric
2015-04-07 12:47:43
Wondering if it was cancelled? I live a mile from the start and it was raining at 6. I didn't feel like destroying my skin this early in the year.
stefb
2015-04-07 17:54:39
No, there were about 20 people I think (I was late and catch the ride at Negley-Baum).
mikhail
2015-04-08 08:09:15
Does Team Decaf still exist? Someone told me there were still rides last year, but I hadn't heard anything. I've been stealing some of the routes to do on my own after work.
smarti6
2018-02-16 11:15:40
The Decaf rides are in hibernation over the winter, but are expected to resume in April. Typical attendance might range between 20-50 riders. There is an email list at teamcaffeine@yahoogroups.com. From their emails:
Team Decaf rides every Tuesday from April to September. The ride starts and finishes at Tazza D'oro Cafe, 1125 N. Highland, Highland Park, 15206 We leave at 6:15pm sharp. Plan to arrive around 6:00pm for sign-in and route talk. Ride speed is medium-to-fast paced. We usually break in to several groups, based on riders' skill/speed levels. Ride distance is typically 20 to 30 miles based on the amount of available daylight. If it's wet or raining, the ride is cancelled. There is no formal notification for cancellation. Free to all
ornoth
2018-02-16 11:31:17
^Yep, that's all correct. I'm not the leader any longer (passed the hat 2 years ago). Expect fast-paced rides.
teamdecafweekend
2018-02-16 12:55:19