I just heard this commentary on WDUQ as part of their "My Place In Pittsburgh" series, featuring people's favorite places around town. Martha Raak's favorite place is on the South Side Trail.
http://wduq.org/images/audio/MyPlace/SouthSideBikeTrail/SouthSideTrails.mp3
Where are your favorite places to ride here in Pittsburgh?
I love the riverfront trails and am waiting anxiously for the completion of the GAP.
Outside of that, I like taking a rather leisurely bike up Lake Dr. in Highland Park, or biking through Morningside.
I need to get out more though...am still working on my shoulder and so I'm hoping by next spring to be up and at 'em.
I've thought about that WDUQ question. It's hard to say I have a particular place, but the process of riding into and around town is what I find fulfilling. It's hard to describe, but it's enthralling just knowing I started the ride way up by CCAC North, and here I am riding around Squirrel Hill or Bloomfield or somewhere on East Carson, and will get back without hydrocarbon help.
Flagstaff hill is my favorite place. It's a home away from home for me.
It irks me that they spend so much money putting stages in Schenley Plaza when there is a natural amphitheater at Flagstaff.
Mick
I'm with StuInMcCandless, I just enjoy going from neighborhood to neighborhood. Each one has its own "feel" for lack of a better word.
One of my favorite places is up on the hill in Schenley Park (by the fields/courts). It's a nice climb with a great view.
I love riding downtown at night.
Also, I very much enjoy the dark commute through Junction Hollow these days.
^^ what he said. Going home in the evening is eerily peaceful through the hollow.
I found a gas pipeline a can ride down on my commute, makes for a really neat ride.
I really like the view from Pittview Ave, but what's great about it is it's such a nice reward after suffering the climb up Logan St.
+1 on going neighborhood to neighborhood.
My favorite place is anywhere I am on my bike.
I like everywhere in Pittsburgh.
I recently biked to the West End Overlook, which is an often - ahem - overlooked place to visit. The west-end circle wasn't as bad as I'd feared! But I could see it being really bad at night or in heavy traffic (it was a Sunday afternoon).
i really enjoy the ride up to observatory hill at night. the ride down perrysville at night back to town rules
Perrysville or Federal? I'm not sure I'm up to a plummet down Federal at night, not without a screaming laser display on the front of the bike in the hopes that nobody pulls out in front of me.
I do wish they'd repave Perrysville, though. All those pavement joints and patches are damn painful.
I do wish they'd repave Perrysville, though. All those pavement joints and patches are damn painful.
Indeed. That would be a really sweet descent without those.
p-ville. at night it's totally empty
somebody should email DUQ with one of these for cycling from place to place. I bet they'd jump on it.
Done! I referenced this thread in my email.
Oh my god is Rick Sebak still making shows? If he did a Pittsburgh cycling documentary I'd die (of joy).
edit: Nevermind, I got DUQ and QED mixed up.
East Street is also a sweet ride from Perrysville. I live up here and that is my route 90% of the time into town. I can stay in the aerobars all the way into northside and pass cars (who actually obey the speed limit along there).
It is not crazy steep like the other hills, but very well lit at night and its the least painful way up to Observatory Hill.
The other fun way to get up here is taking the west end bike trail to ALCOSAN, and coming up the back way through Woods Run and then into Riverview Park on Kilbuck Rd (which is closed to cars). Very dark at night, but peaceful. Probably not a good idea when you are alone though. This area of town is not known for its tranquility let's just say...
