WorkBike

Say hello to my #Workbike.  She is a nice bike and I have felt bad that since I got here I haven't ridden her much. Since she is a single speed and I am a big fat guy it seems like I had made a huge mistake by picking a sweet little thing like her. Between BOB and the Macho Man, I never really found an excuse to take her out riding. She has sat patience in a dark closet just waiting for her time to shine.

That time has come.

I work for Heyl & Patterson (sorry about the talking sales pitch) designing some really cool machines. In August we moved from Robinson to Carnegie. Carnegie is pretty flat. i.e. Perfect for my sweet little single speed to really shine.  One of the cooler things about horking for H&P is that I can keep my bike inside in a secure room so I never have to worry about it. So when Lunch time comes

Off I go.

It is a great feeling to head out for 30 min of pedaling in the middle of the day, off to discover what I can about the area around our new building. So far I have found churches, graveyards, parks and playgrounds, murals and memorials.

In other words, some cool stuff

It is interesting to look forward to the middle of the day and wonder what I will see on my ride. No more sitting at my desk eating pb&j and watching youtube. Instead I get air, people, and usually smiles. I see a mom with a stoller and a puppy. I see other people on bikes, clearly not out for a ride but running errands. I ride and find the Professional & Amateur Pinball Association. Which is very cool looking place to find. So if you happen to be in Carnegie at lunch and the sun is shining look around you might just see me go zooming past you.

Ill be the fat guy smiling

Snow

I really do not like the cold. Which had made the past few days just a little annoying. I am trying.

Well sort of.

I've started dreaming about being out riding, and I know that it is only a matter of time before I can get back out there. So far however I haven't ridden once this year. One of my goals for the year is to ride at least 100 days of the year and so far I'm doing pretty horrible about it.

I would like to say that I really want to be out there riding. You have no idea how badly I want to be able to say that. But I can't

It would be a lie.

And that's not what I'm all about. The truth is if I really wanted to be out riding I could do it right now. Nothing is stopping me. B.O.B is more than ready to go for a spin. I have enough winter gear that the weather really isn't an issue. The real issue is I don't like being cold, and going out in the cold is something I only do when I have to or if I have a really special reason for it. Like the Reverse Keg Ride. And the bragging points don't hurt either. So there is the Truth. I am hoping to go out this Saturday and ride. The weather looks warm enough (if wet)

So if you see me out there, Stop me and say hi. Chances are ill be more than happy to find someplace dry and share a drink with you.

Reverse Keg Ride

Every year East End Brewing holds two rides. One in the spring and one in the fall. Both of these rides are fantastic fun and better yet, both end with beer. Really good beer. Yesterday was the Reverse keg ride.

Allow me explain. In the spring is the keg ride where we deliver fresh kegs of Pedal Pale Ale (The spring and summer beer) to some lucky drinking establishment. (Yes we deliver the kegs by bike). In the fall we return some of the empty kegs from OTB Bicycle Cafe back to the brewery.

As usual Flock of Cycles (that being the official name for some of the best people in Pittsburgh) marshalled the ride (That is helped keep everyone safe). I'm not sure of the numbers but I am sure that this was the best Reverse Keg Ride I have been a part of. I was one of the last people to make it to the brewery but since my marshalling job was to run sweep with one of my most favorite people it's ok. (thanks again Sarah)

Here is a pic of the pre-ride Gathering at OTB. (click to enlarge) We had a good sized group for a cold and wet November day. The rain started at about the same time as the ride but only lasted a few minutes. The riders were dampened but their spirits weren't. The only part of this ride I have a problem with is the one hill that stands in our way (this is Pittsburgh after all, if you only have one hill then you consider yourself lucky.) I made it up the hill and since I was a sweeper  (riding the back of the pack to make sure no one got left behind.) It was ok that I was one of the last people up the hill.

We got to the Brewery with no problems and aside from a couple mechanical problems (that were quickly remedied) everyone made it to the Brewery safe, sound and happy.

Here is the Post ride at the brewery, again click the picture to enlarge. At the brewery we all got to be the first people to taste the fall / winter beer Snowmelt. (a personal favorite of mine) As you can see from the pictures costumes were encouraged. There was a contest for the best costumes and everyone got the reverse keg ride glass (that you see in the first picture) This ride is one of my favorite rides of the year, and one that I try very hard to make it to. I enjoy the ride, and the beer of course, but I love the people.

This ride reminds me of why it is so good to ride in Pittsburgh.

I will end this post with some pics from the ride.

Pre-Ride at OTB

 

Marshalls

Duck, Duck, Goose

Pretty Kitty

Scott the Beer Master

The Ides of Flock

 Video of the March Flock of Cycles ride

My long bikefast is broken. Thank the cycling gods! Last night I headed over to Oakland to join in the fun that is the monthly Flock of Cycles Party ride (facebook link).The ride was as fun as always and I was very happy to see that there were several new people (First time Flockers) in the group. We had a good showing for a still chilly march evening which makes me wonder what the rides are going to be like when the weather gets warmer.

The ride was a laid back tour of the city (look at route here) that took us through Oakland, Bloomfield, The strip District Downtown, The Armstrong tunnels, Across the 10th st bridge and into the South side. The ride ended with food drinks and fun at OTB bicycle cafe. (When the weather gets warmer and it stays light longer, I have noticed a tendency to end the ride with a pot luck picnic in a park.)

Eventually I wished my friends a good night and hopped on my bike and headed to town, with the plan of throwing my bike on the bus and heading home. This became quite a challenge. It seems my long Bikefast had its effect on more than my mental well being as I rode slowly into town my legs complaining the whole way.

For those of you who don't know what a Flock of cycles ride is like, allow me to give you a description. First off take everything you believe about cyclists and group rides (hipsters looking down on you, Lycra clad riders trying to form a peleton, annoying cyclists blowing through stop signs) and forget it. Now imagine hanging out with friends and talking, listening to music and catching up with people you like but haven't seen in a month.

It's like that just on a bike.

The ride is slow, fun and best of all accepting. My first flock (several years ago) was an eye opening experience. I was rather fearful that I would be looked down on for being old, fat, and slow. I knew this was supposed to be an easy, everyone staying together, fun ride. I didn't believe it. I knew I was going to be the one slowing everyone down. when we got to the hill (you can't avoid all the hills in Pittsburgh no matter how you try) I was the last one up. I was so close to quitting.

But I didn't.

A couple of the people rode with me. The rest waited at the top of the hill. (I found out later that it is normal for the group to wait at the top of the hill to allow everyone to re-group.) No one looked at me like I was the one slowing them down. everyone accepted me. I've worked very hard to return that favor and accept and do what I can to help those around me.

I will be interviewing Marcel from flock of cycles in an upcoming post so be sure to keep a lookout for that.

Links in this Post
Flock of Cycles Website
Flock of Cycles  Facebook
OTB Bicycle Cafe