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Flock of Cycles - Light up Night?

So I'm told there's a ride for Light Up Night happening the same time as this week's foc party ride, I was wondering if we ought to combine/glom onto that ride... thoughts?


noah-mustion
2010-11-18 03:36:19

Link?


ndromb
2010-11-18 05:21:18

which day? I'm not able to go to friday's light-up night, but I'm going to saturday's event thing.


rubberfactory
2010-11-18 10:21:48

festivities (light tree lighting, etc) start around 6 i think. Fireworks around 9:38pm. I would love to see the fireworks from somewhere at least. yes, i do realize this is pittsburgh and there are fireworks somewhere every week in the summer, but i missed them all this year


stefb
2010-11-18 11:31:20

I don't know about another ride, but from what I know about Light up night, the festivities are based around Market Square this year, so it will be blocked off for peds and will be unrideable. The best I think a ride would be able to do would be to go down third past PPG Plaza, with the tree and ice rink, then loop around and go back out 4th, then to whereever.

For the fireworks, town will be filled with loopy suburban pedestrians and I would think, not pleasant. The best bet would probably be to go to the Sta Sq side and watch from the lot by the far incline, then being able to exit by way of the Mon river trail.

Btw,Market Square is looking pretty incredible, they've been setting up for days.


edmonds59
2010-11-18 12:03:11

The WPW has done a Light Up Night ride every year for ... ever. They are meeting at 6:45 at the Golden Triangle Bike Rental on the jail trail. There will probably be about three or four different groups doing varying distances and types of riding. I think that the group you want to link up with will be led by George Schmidt, who is the first bike advocate I met when I got started with bike advocacy 20 years ago.


lyle
2010-11-18 12:10:04

I've done the ride from Golden Triangle a couple of times. Barry from Dirty Harry's leads a group up to the West End Overlook for the fireworks, great ride. Big climb!


photos from 2 outings: http://www.jonpratt.com/keyword/light%20up%20night


Barry's email


1) We start riding as close to 7:30pm , be on time as it will be cold waiting.

(If you get there late you can catch the group at Station Square as we come

back from the first part of the loop)

2) You must have a helmet, lights (front and rear) and proper clothing

depending on the weather. Bring warm clothes.

(You can always use a head lamp duct taped to your helmet)

3) If it is raining hard we will not ride .

4) We do a 8 to 10 mile ride heading out the Eliza Furnace Trail to the Hot

Metal Bridge, back through Station Square and then a circuitous climb up to

the West End Overlook, watch the fireworks and then ride down over the West

End Bridge, over to the North Shore where this year we will be stopping at the new Rivertowne Pour House which offers a wide menu and an excellent variety of beer.

(you could bring a lock for a bike stack)

5) This ride has a lot of city traffic so you need to be comfortable riding

at night with cars.

6) A mountain bike or cross bike is best but a road bike will work just fine.

7) You can bring snacks and EXTRA CLOTHING for when we get to the Overlook.

(it can get mighty cold while waiting for the fireworks)

This is a fun ride at a rather slow pace. The darkness and traffic make it

a bit challenging so be careful. Try to wear bright jackets and have

plenty of lights. There are some dark sections of bike trail we will be

riding on.

I will have my cell phone 412-977-3217 the night of the ride if there are any last

minute questions. Weather looks dry at this point but cool.


pratt
2010-11-18 12:33:27

Thanks guys!


I think it's too late to try to coordinate efforts, and I don't think that ride will mix well with Flock. I have a feeling WPW's "slow" is not quite the same as Flock's "slow".


Bill, we will probably take your advice--the Mon trail is a good idea.


ndromb
2010-11-18 20:58:05

I know light-up is two nights this year, which one is it? Sorry to ask again, but no one answered?


rubberfactory
2010-11-18 21:22:19

Donny Iris on the Clemente bridge at 8, n'at.


edmonds59
2010-11-18 22:04:37

ah lame. You mean they can't move everything to a different night so I can see it? :)


eh, I've never made it to light-up night before (work schedule), so this will just be another one.


rubberfactory
2010-11-18 22:21:12

I think cruz'n downtown with our own lights/tunes would be a very visable way of showing other Light-Up-Night attendees that cyclist/bicyclist/cycleholics are not just out in July. And it's possible to have fun on a bike year-round. Besides, I don't think car traffic will be any worse than it usually is on a friday.


marko82
2010-11-18 23:15:08

After trying to get to a couple of Light-Up Nights by car in the 1980s, I've chosen not to get within 10 miles of it if I can help it. By bike, it might just work.


I'm not sure I'll make it. Transportation problems again, involved with the logistics of being in Murrysville for an interview in mid-afternoon, then getting to McCandless and Cranberry later evening. Grrr. Haven't made one Flock evening party ride since July.


stuinmccandless
2010-11-18 23:43:42

So are we still meeting at dippy at 5:30? im excited


dbacklover
2010-11-19 02:04:27

Yep, 5:30 at Dippy! See you there.




It's our monthly PARTY RIDE, but instead of the usual pot-luck in Schenley Park, we are ending the ride downtown for Light Up Night festivities.!


About this ride:

The FOC "Party Ride" is a monthly ride held on the second-to-last Friday of the month. The ride meets at Dippy in Oakland (4100 Forbes Ave.) at 5:30p with the intent to leave by 6p.

...

The group pedals through the city at a slow, welcoming pace appropriate for riders of all ages and capabilities. You get a chance to make new friends, learn new routes, and have fun on your bike!


Helmets are STRONGLY encouraged, and lights are MANDATORY after dusk.


Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168427379846916


dwillen
2010-11-19 04:03:14

Got my helmet

got my lights

got my bike

let's see some sights!


dbacklover
2010-11-19 11:29:45

Whoo hoo! It's a beautiful day.


edmonds59
2010-11-19 12:54:48

I'm so torn. three nieces (and a 'phew) with the most adoreable red curls and dimples, or a bike ride. No, can't bring them with. sigh. on the other hand, choices like this make me realized how frigging blessed I am. I love thanksgiving :D


ejwme
2010-11-19 17:12:50

There's also a group leaving from Millvale --


Bike Ride Friday 6:00 PM Millvale Riverfront Park. Casual ride around the city as we enjoy the 50th Anniversary of Light Up Night. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:38 PM from the Warhol Bridge.


swalfoort
2010-11-19 18:03:49

swalfoort - is that WPW casual, or Flock casual?


ejwme
2010-11-19 18:52:06

Im interested in who that group is as well leaving from Millvalle....I am planning on riding wih my wife, brother, 6 year old on the trail a bike and maybe a few friends leaving from millvale also around 6ish. We have done a ride the last few years and do a 15 or so mile loop down the north shore trail, cross the bridge to the point, up blvd of allies to jail trail and across the hot metal and back down the ss trail to the west end bridge and back up the north shore trail. Last year we watched the fireworks at the point from the Mr rodgers statue and the "waterfall" fireworks from kayak pittsburgh, right under the clemente bridge.


We will be riding at a slow pace as I dont think my wife has been on her bike for a bit, if anyone wants to join in, feel free.


the-beast
2010-11-19 19:13:00

wait a minute... light up night is tonight? like as in this Friday?


ejwme
2010-11-19 19:21:27

Yep, it's tonight.


reddan
2010-11-19 19:27:24

sweet. niece & 'phew fun is next friday, I'm totally in. dippy 5:30.


ejwme
2010-11-19 19:30:20

The group from Millvale will be casual as in probably a tad faster that Flock casual, but no where near WPW casual. Several of the people that I know that plan to ride from there either have experience leading beginner friendly rides, or have small children of their own, so understand that riding as a group sometimes means not riding at the fastest possible speed, and the need to keep the group together.


swalfoort
2010-11-19 19:34:01

swalfoort- is the group leaving from millvale an organized group or just some friends?


the-beast
2010-11-19 20:09:17

Someone bring an MP3 player with a good mix, I'll have my getto box.


marko82
2010-11-19 21:09:55

Nick! No, it doesn't look like the timing works, but I wouldn't have mentioned George's group if I didn't think the speeds would be compatible... Honestly.


I'm in town already so I'll probably just go down to the rental place and find a group there - maybe I'll see some of yinz on the road. I'll send a Glympse to @trackpghcycles n'at. You'all can do the same.


lyle
2010-11-19 21:18:21

ack and dratz, can't make the excitement tonight afterall. Stay warm and well lit, yinz guys have fun :D


ejwme
2010-11-19 21:28:21

Just received an update from the Millvale folks....The Beast is leading the ride, and is likely to have a small child or two in tow. That should keep the ride speed quite casual. (At least others tell me he is leading it.....from his post above I am not certain that he knows that yet!)


swalfoort
2010-11-19 21:35:44

I thought thats where the post was going SW! Its looking closer to 6 30 though...


the-beast
2010-11-19 22:32:56

Darn. I might have been able to make the Millvale start if I'd known about it. I didn't make it back from Murrysville until about 20 to 30 minutes later than my planned departure time. Now I can't make either.


Have fun everyone!


stuinmccandless
2010-11-19 22:59:25

Just got home from the ride. (gunshots around the corner from where I waited for the bus.) lots o cops.


way to much fun. I need to rest.


dbacklover
2010-11-20 03:12:12

Yeah that was nuts. Disliked the group of kids running and the cops using "authority".


stefb
2010-11-20 04:44:49

who framed roger rabbit marked the awakening of my sexuality at age 6.


noah-mustion
2010-11-20 05:09:07

sounds likes Noah had a bit to much yuengling at the art show....


8-]


dbacklover
2010-11-20 13:38:35

Next kids' shoe trend: Sparkz!


kgavala
2010-11-20 17:24:15

sounds likes Noah had a bit to much yuengling at the art show....


No doubt...


noah-mustion
2010-11-20 17:27:17

That was fun! But my heel is jacked up from trying to run in bike shoes! But that's ok.

Now if someone knew where to get some magnesium scraps for shoe plates, that would probably be something.


edmonds59
2010-11-20 18:44:19

I've got a 1"x12" magnesium rod sitting on my desk at work...


robjdlc
2010-11-20 18:54:25

That's what he said?


stefb
2010-11-21 01:35:27

..Its remarkably strong, but lightweight...


robjdlc
2010-11-21 04:53:28

Apparently the 'shooting' downtown was some dumbass who accidentally discharged his piece while it was jammed in his waistband. Good one, Barney Fife.


noah-mustion
2010-11-21 05:50:37

Was Plaxico Burress in town?


atleastmykidsloveme
2010-11-21 16:26:19

"We don't know what is starting them off... this has happened twice before.. people running for no obvious reason..."


*baaa*


this is what happens when sheeple get drunk - STAMPEDE!


ejwme
2010-11-22 00:27:08

sheeple ! Great expression, and very true (unfortunately).


icemanbb
2010-11-22 03:34:13

I read the comments on that story and now I am bummed out.


My wife and I were downtown and saw some girls arguing and fighting outside the Fairmont but we didn't know it was more serious until we got home.


rsprake
2010-11-22 20:55:24