BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I would go Hot Metal Bridge -> Eliza Furnace Trail -> through the park to Neville -> side streets to wherever you're going.

There are at least 50 people who frequent this board who'd be happy to ride along with you and show you the various ways to get around, and how (best) to do it. Some of it is route choice, some of it is knowing how to deal with traffic, some of it is equipment and accessory selection. The piece I will chip in is to learn how to use the transit system to get around as much as learning the trail and street system. All the buses have bike racks, which can be really helpful if you have to deal with rotten weather, a huge hill, hauling a load, whatever. The $2.50 can be really worth it to take a load off your mind, or your calves. Look for some of the group rides. That way, you can meet several of us all at once and see how different people outfit their bikes to suit their needs. The next fun one is the Menorah Ride. You might also try to seek out one of the Dirty Dozen hills to spectate on the 30th. But there are group rides of all sorts all the time. Welcome to the 'Burgh!

Welcome to Pittsburgh! I hope you like hills! There are a ton of group rides in, as Stu said!

Don't get your bike stolen. If you don't have one already, get a ulock and use it, always. Too many folks have bikes nabbed from a clipped cable lock. See the love your bike lock it right thread...

There is usually an underwear ride monthly (in colder months, long underwear), and there will be Tuesday night rides starting in April or May that meets in front of Tazza D'oro at 6:15pm (in highland park). There are nice people and riders of all abilities. It is a nice way to see the city. The western Pennsylvania wheelmen have a calendar on their website and there is a calendar here of rides so you can meet people.

If you stop by REI or most bike shops, pick up a BikePgh Bike Map, it shows places that are "better" to ride and places you might care to avoid. Also, Monday Dec.2nd, we're having a Hannukah Ride, you'll find it described in another thread in this forum. Come on out!

There are a ton of cyclists in Highland Park/East Liberty/Morningside. You'll also be really close to the Wheel Mill and Frick Park, as well as the oval track and the small but growing trail system right in Highland Park. Lots of people to ride with on the road or in the woods at whatever level you are comfortable with.

jonawebb wrote:I would go Hot Metal Bridge -> Eliza Furnace Trail -> through the park to Neville -> side streets to wherever you’re going.

I second this route. Google actually maps it out pretty well, but you could probably shave a few minutes by taking a more direct route to the Hot Metal Bridge. When you get to the end of the Heritage Trail, you can cut across the parking lot and then hop the train tracks. There is a little gravel access road on the other side of the tracks that takes you right down to Saline St. I prefer doing that instead of taking the narrow sidewalk down to and around Second Ave. You're going to love Highland Park :-)

you can cut across the parking lot and then hop the train tracks True, but UPMC recently posted their parking lot with "No Bikes" signs. I used to cross those tracks but eventually got lazy (getting on/off the bike, pushing up the hill, carrying it across the tracks, etc) and simply kept to the street. This works best if you also avoid the bike chute and stay on the street. Those cars do look big and mean and speedy, but the lights bunch them up and create usable gaps. Though do I wish they would just sharrow that bit of 2nd...

Religious argument. Let's not confuse the poor guy. (My preference is tracks, chute, street, in that order, FWIW.) I think it's rather (un)funny that we so rapidly identify the weakest link in the whole area's biking system with so innocent a question.

Welcome to The 'Burgh, and I hope you've had good experiences so far. Monday, as previously mentioned, is a Hanukkah ride that will possibly have as many or more Gentiles on bikes, so don't feel that you need to be Jewish to join in. Flock O Cycles meets at the big dinosaur (Dippy) that's in front of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland on the third Friday of each month at 6pm. January 1st is the "Icicle Bicycle" ride that starts at REI on the Southside. There are a lot of other events that you'll usually find some reference to if you keep watching the message board. And Stu is right - if you want company while exploring the city just post something here and you'll probably get a response. Again - Welcome.

I was thinking (it does happen!), this is a pretty cool list of responses and great things.

no one mentioned the bike pittsburgh map, it has saved me more than once , they have them at rei and other bike places. it is nice to plan a route manualy when needed .

you can get them at all the bike shops in town and the bike pgh office

I live out past you in Baldwin. If you want to go to the menorah ride on monday let me know and I can meet you on the way in.

oh yeah the online map is here: http://map.bike-pgh.org the toggle menu for the bike routes is in the upper right corner. kind of hard to spot but fine once you realize its there.

Thanks tons for all the help folks. I have myself a map, and I've been taking that trail route jonawebb mentioned. It's been much better than getting almost vehicle-murdered on Forbes. I think, with my schedule, I'll be checking out the next Flock O Cycles if it's happening. Hope to see some of you there.