Promoting long distance unsupported cycling in the Pittsburgh region
To shake off the wintry cobwebs, and in honor of the 5th year of the International Women's Day Together We Ride , we'll enjoy a tour of the trail system near Pittsburgh. Only one climb of note, and a simple, pleasant way to explore the city environs without needing to duel with traffic. There's some...Read more
Another classic early-season ride, starting in Homestead PA and striking east to Weirton West Virginia before returning via the south along the Mon River. Of some note is that the last 40-ish miles of this route are nearly flat (by southwestern PA standards, anyway), providing a welcome respite from our otherwise unrelenting hills. Registration closes:...Read more
Taking the pleasant Ohio-based portions of our classic Kittens and Puppies route, but skipping the ever-worsening segment on Rt 51, this is a pleasant jaunt into eastern Ohio and back. The ride starts and ends in Monaca, PA, at Pump House Park. (Note that there is parking at several locations scattered around the park, all...Read more
It's been a while since we've offered Meanville Greenville (A two-Sheetz ride, for those keeping score). Starting in scenic downtown Zelienople, we'll head north, skirting New Castle and pausing in New Wilmington on the way to our first Sheetz stop in Greenville. Then, we head southeast through Mercer to our second Sheetz in Slippery Rock,...Read more
Let's put a team together to ride the PA Randonneurs Fleche. The earliest start is April 25th; the recommended is April the 27th, with a finish on Sunday the 28th. (Note that there is a conflict with Crush the Commonwealth, which starts the morning of Friday the 26th.) Details here: https://parando.org/info/event/2024-04-25/360
(Contrary to usual 100K practice, we're starting this one at 7 AM, to avoid the worst of the traffic on Allegheny River Blvd and Freeport Rd.) Starting at the Bud Harris Cycling Oval, this suburban populaire follows the Allegheny River upstream to Oakmont (site of the notable Oakmont Bakery), then north through Rural Ridge and...Read more
The McConnell's Mills 200K route has undergone a bit of revision since its inception: one of the controles (the Creighton Sheetz) no longer exists, and the final leg of the route passes through an area that has become quite trafficky and unpleasant later in the day. So, we've moved the start to North Park, allowing...Read more
Originally, this was to be a revival of an old route into Ohio...the Minerva Cheese Ride, named for reasons that have faded into the mists of time. Sadly, after scouting, I decided that the route is not worth exhuming. So, we're offering last year's Castleman 300 as a far-less-hazardous substitute. Registration closes: Thursday May 16th...Read more
The classic 12-hour ultracycling race has returned, with the addition of a 24-hour RAAM qualifier!
See the event web site for more details: https://www.bikereg.com/calvins-challenge-2024
Okay, first off, let me be clear...it's actually 108K, if that deters anyone :-) This one has a mix of traditional and new segments, with the majority of roads smoothly paved (but a few miles of unpaved dirt and occasional gravel to keep it interesting). Starting at the Park-n-Ride lot in downtown Carnegie, PA, we...Read more
It's been a few years, so let's dust off one of our kinder, gentler 400K routes. Starting at the Comfort Inn in Cranberry, we head north through Evans City (passing the world-famous Evans City Cemetery used in the filming of the original Night of the Living Dead) and Slippery Rock on the way to Grove...Read more