Prognosticating Precip for the Peripatetic

4.3.2015

Drizzly day, got the taxes done. This is the earliest I've been done in decades, because I hope to go on a trip and need to get them accomplished. Being able to download and print out obscure forms is just awesome, it so much beats being constrained by the library hours.

The web is also so useful (and addictive) in the week before a bike ride, checking and fussing over the weather forecast.

I'm planning on riding Natchez MS to Nashville TN via the Natchez Trace. I'm going to be camping and possibly using HOO's (hotels of opportunity). One of the benefits is that I can choose my start moment, which is a blessing and a challenge.

My plan is: I'm going to drive to the northern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway and park my aging van close to the trail. I've made arrangements to leave the car in a fairly secure place. I'm going to have a shuttle service from Natchez (the south end) come up and then convey me down to Natchez, where I'll start the ride.

I love the temperature range I'm seeing here. I'm thinking: drive to Nashville (BNA) Thursday, shuttle service to Natchez Friday, start pedalling Saturday morning.

This is the temperature range at the north end of the trail, in Nashville TN. Looks like the nights are about ten degrees American cooler.

Persephone's Pomegranate Pourover at Big Dog Coffee

4.2.2015 21m #250

Started under the Birmingham Bridge at 0730 with R. Showing keen judgement, we prioritized our options and immediately rode over to Big Dog Coffee where we both enjoyed a Persephone Pourover, which of course carries hints of pomegranate.

The mural above, at 149 Omega Place (off Larimer Ave) in East Liberty, depicts Persephone trapped in the Underworld after eating a pomegranate. Artwork by Ed Rawson, Lucas Stock, Bonnie Schindler, C. Rubisch, S. Altwerger, S. Steffey.

The world warmed up a bit while we drank coffee, so we started out to the far end of Kennywood. Reversed, went to Thick which was closed. Went to REI.

At REI I purchased some supplies for the beginning of the season: new Merril shoes, short-finger padded gloves. I used up most of my "REI Dividend", I have about $17 left over. This is what happens when I go into stores with R. We both look at things, and I end up buying things.

We went over to Thick which had opened. Heard of another great feature in their building redesign, but I think it's closely held so I shouldn't spill any buzz about it. Ended up with a new helmet, bright and with more vents than the one I've been using.

Back to the cars, and this is what my bike looks like carrying shoes and a helmet:

Otter Box and Ohio River Trail

3.29.2015 28m 252#

A beautiful day. Started at the Bastille, rode to the Jail Trail and met Y. We rode out to the Pump House together.

At the Pump House I was pleased to meet Liz and Reggie and Milo. They were returning from an overnight campout on the trail. They said they'd put out a water-dish for Milo the Dog and the water froze overnight.

On the way back we stopped at the trailside memorial regarding the two eagle eggs that failed to hatch successfully.

Hot Metal Bridge, Jail Trail, back to the Bastille and the minivan that was still there.

Driving home, I saw two cyclists on State Bike Route A doing a fine job of controlling their lane.

I was concerned about them so I turned and drove behind them for a bit. When they stopped at a hill I got out and offered them a lift into town, and dropped my cellphone onto Route51. Found it the next morning, after it had been snowed on and possibly hit by at least one car. Great demonstration of why it's good to buy an OtterBox.

These two NorthSide cyclists had started early in the morning, took the bus from Pittsburgh up to Ambridge (I think) and then cycled up to the Maple Syrup Festival in Brady's Run Park. Very impressive. It left me thinking, as the cycling profile grows in Pittsburgh we'll begin to see excursions into our less-developed hinterland. Great argument of why we need the Ohio River Trail.

Consumer Confession

3.23.2015

I really strive to avoid consumerism and to not be about stuff.

Having said that, finding this in today's mail is an annual Fredgasm that is for me not unlike what the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is for others.

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Found: outdoor plaza, river vu

3.22.2015 18m

40F and clear blue skies. Not nearly as much wind as yesterday.

Started at the Bastille. Met M and Y at the Point, where the restrooms are locked because nobody uses the park this time of year on Sunday afternoons.

We rode around the Ft.Pitt bridge, then went out the Penn Ave bike lane. Continued east to the 40th Street bridge, crossed the Allegheny River. Checked out the Millvale-to-NorthSide route, which seemed in great shape.

There is an outer walkway at the baseball stadium which is supposed to be open whenever there's no event at the stadium. Mayor Tom Murphy mentioned it at a recent briefing. So we rode across the walkway - which can be done without dismounting for stairs - and were suprised to find a really nice outdoor plaza with a lot of tables.

In the photo above, you can see the roof of the River Rescue unit. In the map below, you can see the open walkway (in purple) and the route to the plaze (in yellow), and you'll see the River Rescue unit in the river.

Back across the Sixth Street Bridge. Market Square, checked out the bamboo garden installation. Y and M continued, I dawdled for a bit and got to say hello to QR and her partner. Returned to the Bastille. 18 miles.

Viking Biking, Bridge Bike Block

3.16: 10m
3.21: 28m

First a late entry from 3.16: 10 miles, back and forth to Vanport the short way; nothing epic or sponge-worthy.

Today, though, was Viking Biking Day. I started on the North Side at the Bastille w/K. Rode around to the Roberto Clemente Bridge, a four-lane bridge which is going to close in April and re-open two weeks later as a two-lane, two-bike-lane bridge. Progress rolls forward.

Took the Smithfield Street Bridge, and the South Side Trail. Met at 18th Street Riverfront Park which I wish had a "real" name like: Yinzer Landing. There was a great turnout for Lucia's Viking Biking Ride and foodstuffs and cash were brought for a local foodbank. I think the folks were happy for what may be the First Group Ride of Spring.

The ride starts (as all Viking epics do) with the Tri-Circling of the Roundabout, then we took the Hot Metal Bridge into town. Stopped at Market Square; some folks made beer-or-coffee stops. Rode out the Penn Ave bike lane. Our group of 30-ish cyclists made a big presence on the bike lane.

Out to the Strip District, reversed at 22nd Street (ish), bike box, bike lane, Convention Center down to the river. Headed to the Point but we encountered a lot of mud which was remarkably slippy as they say here. (The trail was underwater a few days ago).

Photo by Joyce Wasser

After a brief respite at the Point we started crossing the Ft. Pitt Bridge. The Ft.Pitt Tunnel has a tube closed, and for some reason warning the Cars about a detour was worth closing the Ft.Pitt Bridge sidewalk.

This is so stupid. For one, think about a person on a wheelchair or a scooter that has to get halfway across the bridge to discover they need to backtrack; shouldn't they have signage advertising the blockage at either end?

Two, a well-designed sign could be in the space over the Jersey Barrier, or in the roadway. It's not like there isn't a reasonable anticipation of needing to place signs on the bridge in the future.

Some cyclists left the sign better than we found it. After-photo below.

Continued along the Ft. Pitt Bridge. Found the sidewalk blocked at the right turn into Station Square by a black Lexus just parked on the sidewalk. Considered calling the police. Turns out, sitting in the Lexus Back is a uniformed Pittsburgh Policeman, surfing his cellphone, apparently there to monitor Car traffic on Carson Street during the detour. Once again: block the sidewalk because CARS.

Used the SouthSide Trail back to the start. Bid farewell to the Viking cohort, who were arranging mead and building a fire to roast victuals. I'm sure that later in the day, Epic Tales of Conquest were shared.

Rode over to OTB for provisions, then back on the Jail Trail to the Bastille. An articulated PAT bus flirted with right-hooking me, but when I pulled up to the driver and asked what's up with that? they had nothing to say. Insert witticism about speechless driver, articulate(d) mega-bus here.

Really a nice Viking Biking ride. Best-Dressed Awards to Marko, Drew, and BarbaraJ.

DK Bikes on the Ides of March

3.15.2015 13miles

Saw this very bikey billboard on Route 51 just northwest of Station Square:

It took me several scans before I recognized the components: that the DK on the left side is involved in the company name, that there's a bicyclist, that there's a ramp. These things take me a while. Today I learned that DK is the source of the General Lee BMX bike; I see a few of those around. I'm surprised that Pittsburgh is the place they've debuted their new billboard campaign; I'd have put the signs up closer to the Wheel Mill.

Started under the Birmingham Bridge around 2.15. Crossed the Hot Metal Bridge, rode the chute and climbed Junction Hollow. Halfway up the hill I passsed a young bearded man with a full-size scimitar fastened to his backpack. I said hello to him, he returned the greeting, seemed like an AFWAS (affable fellow with a scimitar).

Rode Ellworth out to Shadyside, met folks at Crazy Mocha which does not have one electrical outlet per square foot but might need it. Great coffee, great staff, good wifi.

Departed with Y. Rode to Squirrel Hill, bike-putzed for a bit, then Forbes to Schenley Park, and the Schenley Quad to Joncaire Street. Down Junction Hollow, Hot Metal Bridge. A very nice day.