BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

It might help if you list a date and time here as well.

EPIC RIDE: Viking Bike-Ride & Potluck Party to Welcome Spring -NOW At Southside Riverview Park

WHEN: Saturday, March 26 · 12:00pm - 7:00pm

WHERE: At the SOUTH SIDE RIVERPARK - MERIMANT STREET ::

LOCATION CHANGE

Merimant Street

Pittsburgh, PA - Southside

EVENT INFO:

Come on an epic ride... a VIKING bike ride & Potluck to welcome spring & pay tribute to The Valhalla Gods!

Meet at the South Side Riverview park trail by the Parking area at NOON. Ride starts at 12:30pm, and goes for about two-hours.

End of Ride approx. at 2:30pm back at South Side Riverview Park for Potluck & hopefully some grilling!

WHAT TO BRING:

*Water and snacks for ride!

*Food and more water for your consumption, and/or to share at the potluck.

*If you want to grill, bring your supplies, or get a buddy-griller to share with -- THERE ARE NO BUILT-IN GRILLS ON SITE!!

*We can actually stop by a store too on the way to the potluck to buy supplies/pillage!!

*Trashbags to clean & recycle afterwards -we’re the good kind-of vikings!

ROUTE: This is an all-inclusive bike-ride for all abilities!! Route has been REVISED.

Route posted at BikePgh Message board. There is a shorter flat-route for those who are still getting back-on-the saddle for this year or have kids in toll; and a longer route with one-long hill for those who want to show off their viking-style!

NOTE: SUPPLIES/PILLAGING LOCATIONS IN THE MAP ARE SUGGESTED STOPS TO BUY FOOD FOR THE POTLUCK!!!

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx55/laguirre_2010/vikingmap-REV.jpg

PROPS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

.... otherwise how can one tell you are a viking?

****there might be prizes for the best outfits/props too****

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to marshall-lead the ride!!

If you are attending this event, PLEASE POST on comments below what are you bringing so everyone knows what to expect there and plan accordingly -remember this is a POTLUCK!

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx55/laguirre_2010/vikingposter-REV-1.jpg

THIS EVENT BROUGH TO YOU BY THE VIKING-AFFICIONADOS AT THE BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD!!!!!

FEEL FREE TO INVITE OTHER PEOPLE - More = merrier!!

That way the ride will be EVEN more EPIC and AWESOME

http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/pdf/shopping_list.pdf

REVISED ROUTE FOR SOUTHSIDE!!

REVISED POSTER!!!

I went to the Southside Riverview Park to check out the place well, and SURPRISE! Looks like we have a grill on-site! Would this one work for people? It has (2) burners...

Check out the photos -any thoughts?

Those will work. I like the location, very Midgardian.

To get a sense of just how awesome the park has looked... Pirate Bike

Niflheim, Old Norse Niflheimr, in Norse mythology, the cold, dark, misty world of the dead, ruled by the goddess Hel. In some accounts it was the last of nine worlds, a place into which evil men passed after reaching the region of death (Hel). Situated below one of the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasill, Niflheim contained a well, Hvergelmir, from which many rivers flowed. In the Norse creation story, Niflheim was the misty region north of the void (Ginnungagap) in which the world was created.

Enjoy.

So this is the area near the parking lot under the Birmingham Bridge, right?

I go through that lot all the time, but never noticed that there were grills or anything like that.

Yes but beyond, if I'm not mistaken. All the way to the turn-around loop, then keep going. Photo 1 you can see the BB in the background, looking back toward town.

REMEMBER!! This saturday!

Are people ready?

Also.... what are you bringing? Staying for the Potluck? Or taking off after the ride? -don't need to be specific on food.

PLEASE KNOW there aren't that may places to sit around in the area, and the ground might be wet-ish to sit on it, so if you're driving to the site and have some camping chairs, bring them over!

vegan chick pea salad & slaw to share & something to grill.

I'm ready for everything, except telling you what I'm bringing... in generic terms, I'm stopping on the way, getting some produce and creating *something*....

Just don't know what it is yet. Fruit Salad, Green Salad, Steaming Hunks of Roast Beet(w/ optional blue cheese & walnuts), Grilled Mango & Pinapple.... something.

Or if that is not sufficiently Viking (and/or I wake up late), I may get some whole grain, vegan sausages & soy cheese.

Sorry I can't be more specific, it has been an insanely busy week.

That's cool! That's cool!

I was asking in-the interest of.....

a) BE THERE! (viking gear or not)

b) BRING SOMETHING TO SHARE (or buy it later at the ride -just share if you are staying for potluck or not for food-quatity ideas)

c) BRING YOUR DONATION to the foodbank -I will deliver them there myself later

d) HAVE FUN!!!

Gotta say, since the weather is getting cold, I'm kind-a nervous that people will chicken out at the last minute in attending.

Personally, I'll be there ready to grill --- WITH MAYBE "PRIZES" FOR SOME VIKING ADVENTUROUS PEOPLE

Is anyone bringing coal-stuff for the grill?

I could try to get that to make sure we have that fo'shizzle, but wanted to check first....

OR ACTUALLY.....

I'll bring the coal & stuff for the grill-basics....

I have fire stuff all ready, have charcoal for cooking as well as some wood for standing around warming up. In fact, given the weather I might bring a little more for standing around warming up. I'll probably ride the short route too, to get the conflagration under way.

Won't be able to dress up (were any vikings bakers? I'm sure at least one had a mancini's shirt), but I will be stopping at prantl's downtown to pick up some possibly stale (but free!) pastries. I might bring some veggies to grill (leeks, tomatoes, potatoes, romaine, carrots, peppers, etc)

Also, I will be late - I'll probably make it to the park by 4pm at the latest.

@Edmonds: That sounds great!

Now question: where would you be burning the wood for standing up? Are you bringing a safe container to do that? I didn't see any 'fire pits of doom' at the park

So, I shouldn't buy coal? You think you have enough for the two-grills?

For food I'll probably bring stuff to munch-on while the fires get-going, plus something else....

@RubberFactory -- That sounds awesome! Vegetables should also feel the burning fires of the grill and not just meat, hahaha

Could do a fiery fire in one grill for warming up and a cooking fire in another. Or something.

OK

I will be either bringing or picking up hunks o meat and sausage and some buns. and I am very excited to see everyone. I really missed you guys during the winter. (yeah im a sissy)

After work I'm going out to Ikea to pick up a bag or two of Swedish meatballs. I've been hankering for them anyway.

dback - the official term is "sentimental softy" wear it with pride!

this is gonna be so awesome

There's an anti-war rally and march noon-ish in Lawrenceville on Saturday @ 47th & Butler. Not sure if it will intersect with the longer route planned for the Viking ride.

I will probably attend this and catch up with y'all at the picnic afterward. (Ah, the irony).

I will be there for the ride, but will likely miss the potluck. Just found out I'm part of a 3pm meeting Downtown that I have to wear a suit to.

I found a cool story about how Vikings got their horns I'd love to read aloud, if we have three minutes.

I am sick. I am hoping to still make it. I was sick for the bridesmaid ride and i am still bummed about missing that

I'm making/bringing vegi chili.

well, it seems that a few things have happened:

-I can't afford to bring food to this, now that I've gotten my check

-I will miss the entire ride due to work

-no one can take the closing shift at the bookstore tomorrow

So I won't make this

It makes me sad, but at least now the store doesn't have to close early.

We will bring something for the grill and something sweet for dessert.

Sad to hear about you who won't make it

@RubberFactory -it something changes and you can come AT ALL, just come! No need to bring anything

For those who will be there -see you there! The weather so far is calling for ZERO RAIN AND SUNNY, high is only 39F, but the sunny sun will make up for it

Hope to see you there!

And YES! Come with OR without Viking attire! But so everyone knows, there ARE some prizes for the adventurous-biking-Viking types!!!

Any questions? Please post here or send me a private message!!!

REMEMBER!!!

*Come for the ride, or for the potluck OR for both!!!

*Feel free to invite people! -Open to anyone!!

*Viking gear will be fun if you have it BUT not required to participate!

*Come over & have fun!!!!

See you then!!!!

I'm planning on showing up. I've been working too much to make it to a grocery store this week. I can pick something up along the way.

I found out about this a bit ago... I'll come and introduce myself. Neat group, I sent in my membership yesterday.

I've been meaning to get out on the bike more on the weekends just to explore Pittsburgh. I have burger patties and I guess I'll buy buns and cheese on the way.

For those buying things on the way, there is a Gient Eagle two or three blocks away from the park entrance. I guess I should have posted this earlier...

For those who might still be interested in the potluck, we're down at the park now! Call 412 417 9113 if you need directions

Bikeygirl

This was an awesome if a little chilly ride. I had a great time. You and everyone else just served to remind me of just why I drag my fat butt out to these rides.

It was a fantastic time.

now i just need to thaw out.

Good times. As Mary and I mentioned, we spent some time preparing for the ride, but then just couldn't get things mounted in a way that I was comfortable with. Safety first, that's what the vikings say. So we showed up uncostumed. I have some ideas though about how to do it right, and maybe for bike fest we'll bring it. Click the link to see what the tandem should have looked like.

cant wait to see the tandem fully vikingized.

Awesome ride. My only regrets are 1) having to leave early and 2) not taking more pictures.

Thanks for all the hard work @bikeygirl!

And dare I ask when the next one might be? Could there be a regular ---wait for it --- Flock Of Vikings?

Thanks Lucia for organizing it! Thanks for everyone else for dressing up like a viking and making awesome food!

Pictures are up on the flickr.

Also, we should probably get Noah on a Flock ride. He misses it so much he was trying to join the flock of geese and ducks:

That was a lotta fun. That was just what I needed to do today, very cool hanging out by the river. And the food was great.

I was gonna head over after the rally, but wasn't sure how long it would be going on... I probably should have ridden over there anyways, looks like it was a fun time and its not like I couldn't stand to ride some extra miles.

Looks like it was a blast. I spent my Saturday under a rusty car.

rejected by geese... a new low

I am spending my weekend on the couch and in bed. It is very boring being sick. Looks like it was a great time! Who is the guy with the kid? That is awesome! He looked Viking-like without the costume, from the looks of the photos

Thanks to edmonds for bringing some good firewood. It was *very brisk* out & great to stand around a fire with the vikings. Great photos, dwillen!

@stefb, I think that's TheBeast w/ the kid. his stuff was make from bicycle parts, too (eg, the axe was two saddles taped together, the shield was a wheel + handlebars).

Ahhh that makes sense. I was trying to figure out what the shield was made of!

Pseuda - no prob, thanks for bringing the fire water, that was sooooo gooood.

Your costumes are great! I wish I had more time to look at them; however, I have to go out and buy a refrigerator.

I'm -still- in the middle of moving but just wanted to say quickly **thank you** to all of you who were able to come and where good sports about the whole viking shenanigan! I had never organized something like this before, and while I know there were glitches and some delays here & there, I think everything came out just right

The costumes were awesome, the food delicious, the fire invigorating, the ride sunny, and the camaderie amaizing!

I shall be dropping the "pillaging" goods to the Foodbank this week!! And I think we got some good stuff for them!

Congrats to 'The Beast' and his son Gus, Mydriin & Marko for sporting some awesome Viking attire & winning the Viking prices!!

I think we did "Odin" proud

@Dan -Thanks for the photos!!! They are great!!! And so awesome you were able to catch Noah in his goose-dance, haha!!

Until next time!!!

The 'Pillaging'

Thanks for all who organized and attended, it was a great time! August is sporting his new bike shirt at school today! As long as scheduling permits we will are looking foward to the next one.

I was going to read this at the picnic. (That's the paper in my shirt pocket.) Sorry I missed it!

'twas a fearsome ride, we inspired such tremors, many a vehicle shrieked and waved their arms, begging for mercy, upon the sight of the warrior hoard.

I'd like to fourth the motion to repeat the event annually at a minimum

Running late, I managed to find Stu on the road.....

I don't think he recognized me in my non-Viking garb. But at least he responded politely to my tap on the horn to get his attention. (For the record, he did NOT respond to "hey there, Viking...!")

Wait! Noah's back? When did that happen?

He flew back north for the spring migration.

Also, you all are welcome to grab the photos I took for your facebook or whathavyou, but it is always a nice idea to mention the source when you do. Hauling around a camera and processing images is something I enjoy, but it is still a laborious task. Thanks!

Outstanding pics of Stu. Just awesome.

Thanks, Dwillen. I havent had a good chance to go through all the pics (my work blocks the flickr site) but I did see a few that I am gonna steal.

@ Dwillen - will do! Sorries! Proper Photo Credit has been given!

And thank you for taking those pics!

Haha stu stalking pics