Bike fest is coming

Here is the press release.  More info at

http://bike-pgh.org/events/bikefest/

This year’s 5^th Annual Mountain Bike (MTB) festival runs from August 11 – 15 and will be running in conjunction with Bike-PGH’s bike fest from August 6 through August 15. So if you are a cyclist, this may be a great time to take a week off and ride, ride, ride.

The MTB fest is FREE of charge. Our goal is to get more people interested in helping us work on the trails and riding their mountain bikes. Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group (PTAG) helps build and maintain local hiking and biking trails. Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (PORC) is one of many MTB groups that offers riders a great chance to experience Western Pennsylvania’s unique and trail system that offers a wider variety terrains and scenery than any other system around. For those that would like to offer a donation, PTAG is a non-profit group, so check us out at www.ptagtrails.com

The MTB fest has a few new twists to it this year. On August 13, we will slow things down a bit and do a ride in and around the city. This is for any level rider on any type of bike. We will be going to the Penn Brewery after the ride. Our big ride and party day will be Sunday at Boyce Park.

Riders should bring a helmet and water. Ride levels are advanced beginner and above. Depending on your level, we will ride 1-3 hours. If you run out of energy, someone can help you get back to your car. Rides will start about ½ hour after the meeting times.

Wednesday, August 11 – Deer Lakes – 6pm to 9pm (dusk) – Veteran’s #1 shelter

Thursday, August 12 – Hartwood Acres – 6pm to 9pm (dusk) – Parking at Middle Road lot

Friday, August 13 –Herr’s Island/31^st Bridge - 6pm to 9pm (dusk) - City Cruise – This will cover a lot of the bike paths in and around the city. Open to riders of any type of bike. Everyone is encouraged to join us at the Penn Brewery on the north side after the ride.

Saturday, August 14 – North Park - Devil’s Elbow #1 (across the street from the swimming pool) noon to 3pm. Party is on Sunday this year.

Sunday, August 15 – Boyce Park – Pack 2 shelter (by soccer fields) – noon until 8pm. Party to follow ride. Bring a dish to share. Snacks and beverages provided.

Hiking with Hoes Saturday

From Sean Brady:

My friends, I have a special treat for you this Saturday….

 

A sweet summer morning hike through Riverview Park with a trail tool in your hand, followed by lunch and refreshments provided by our friends at REI. Just think of the benefits…You get a nice dose of exercise, increase your firsthand knowledge of the trails, plus a boost to your personal karma for doing the right thing in a place you love. Did I mention the good company? Heck, I’ll even throw in a bit of info about coyotes in the park.

 

We have 7 people signed up so far and need another five, so please let me know if you can stretch the legs and log a couple hours this Saturday to make the Riverview Park trails better for what you love best. I haven’t seen the Trips for Kids crew out yet this year and even the hale and hardy folks from OHNorth and the Delaware Street loop have been MIA. Hoping to see a good turn out from PORC riders too….I’ll make it worth your while!

 

10:00 AM          Meet at the Visitor Center on Riverview Avenue

12:00 AM          Lunch back at the starting area

Bring:               Your favorite pair of work gloves or borrow ours. Peter Greninger from REI will have bottles of ice-cold water for you.

RSVP:              Sean Brady, PTAG Trail Steward:

Commuter Bike with Built-in Laptop-Cage | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

Commuter Bike with Built-in Laptop-Cage | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

Bike Maintenance and Rice Krispies.

Well, Lora's new Race Face handlebars and stem came in.  These are the last parts needed to match her bike fit session suggestions.  She also was having some shifting problems which I discovered was because of some worn cable housing.  The inside of the housing was actually falling apart, which was pinching the cable.

I threw the bike in the work rack and got to work.  I got the new bars mounted and used an old set of lock on grips to use as a guide as I cut the carbon fiber bars with a Dremel tool.  A nice cutting disk works perfectly and will even let you shape up the ends.  I reinstalled her Hopey steering damper, which she loves so much.

Installed the new housing and cable for the rear dérailleur.  Her bike is shifting like butter again.
My reward?  I walk into kitchen to freshly made Rice Krispie Treats.  WooHoo!

This Bendable Bike Can Tie Itself to a Lamp Post

This Bendable Bike Can Tie Itself to a Lamp Post

PTAG's new website.

In case you haven't noticed, PTAG launched it's new website.  It looks good.
www.ptagtrails.com