BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I should consider this, because it's practically in my backyard, but I think that would be way too far for me to go. Not only that but I don't even really have a road bike, just a hybrid-ish bike with road tires.

I would, but it's too close to the marathon. I can't get hurt now.

great idea to do the jail trail and butler to warm up for the north hills. I absolutely love days run rd.

Ended up doing 70, pretty much stuck to my plan but hit a detour on Freeport going under the turnpike, and was routed onto 28 for a mile. Awesome weather, was home well before it rained. Not counting jail trail/ town, I saw 9 other roadies out there in the hills... all wearing helmets btw. Next weekend anyone?

map: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31231520

I was out there with Pitt starting at 10:30; might have seen you. Just in case you go back the same way, you could probably skip over that chunk of Rt. 28 by taking Gulf Lab Rd. instead.

could probably skip over that chunk of Rt. 28 by taking Gulf Lab Rd. instead.

Quizbot, +200 on Alan's suggestion. Riding on 28 must have been...interesting to say the least. Gulf lab road is the way to go. Also a great way to access Little Deer Creek Road and lots of riding territory. If you have to bypass that again on a future weekend, take a right at the end of Gulf Lab and it drops you right back down to Freeport.

My group rode all the way up to the construction zone on Sunday to see if we could sneak through. No dice, they turned us around. But I was amazed at the number of cars who also ignored the "Road Closed" signs and had to turn around as well.

Thanks for the tip on Gulf Lab... I should've checked my map, but just went on what the worker offered as the detour. 28 was definitely interesting... riding on the shoulder I actually felt pretty safe. Lots of debris though.

quizbot, I'm very interested in joining next time you head out.

cool, thinking about a similar route... out freeport, catch days run out to culmerville, maybe head a bit further west on bakerstown to babcock & head down through north park back to town? around the same time. 8:30 - 9 am sunday, 60 to 70 miles again.

I PM'd you my email addy so you'll have it fly.

You're in my turf if you take Babcock from North Park into town. As you approach McKnight, you should know about the "Lindisfarne Wiggle".

Another way into town from North Park:

left on Hemlock, Right Peebles, Left Duncan.

More or less straight through the next intersection on Ferguson (Exxon station on your right here), Follow Ferguson to a T at Mt. Royal and turn right.

You can follow Mt. Royal all the way into town but a prettier route is to go right on McElheny just past St. Bonaventure Church, first left on Shaler, bear right at the fork on Vollmer, right at the T on Wetzel. Bear left at the bottom of the hill (be careful at the bottom of this steep little hill, traffic coming from the right can't see you) onto Little Pine Creek road, a very fine little stretch of road. Left on Wilson street and into Etna.

You can reverse this as a nice way to get to North Park too.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3681365

+ 1 for May 2nd. (Unless it's raining squirrels and frogs).

@88MS88 - I'm shooting for 8:30 depart from Tazza Doro, heading directly out of the city so there's no messing around with the marathon closures & detours. Eyeballing this route (cue sheet) from last year's Iron City Populaire... similar route back from North Park as @jeffinpgh's tip. PM'd you my email addy too.