Signage gaps the GAP

Last week, tons of new signs directing cyclists coming off the GAP directing them to the Point (and from the Point to the GAP) went up in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Here's most of them:

Sunday: On my way out the Waterfront to get a pedicure (I ruined my paint job the other day test riding bikes) I noticed the "Coming Soon" sign for Hot Metal Flats which is supposed to cater to cycling folks.

Tuesday: I tried to donate blood at a Central Blood Bank drive at PNC Park, I was sent away again due to my anemia. I was delighted to see someone else using the new racks I begged for.

Downtown Pride and Prejudice

I wanted to return to my weekly ritual of riding into Downtown to get takeout from Sree's Foods. I hadn't gone on a lunch hour run there on a bike since the fall and when I was still primarily using the Monster.

When I was using the Monster, at best I would make it back with just minutes to spare on my lunch hour. Today, I made it there, got my food, took some pictures of the new Gay Pride Parade banners and flags and made it back in 40 minutes. Yaaa! I'm faster! Waaaaay faster!


Heading back down Liberty, I had cars and trucks parked in the right lane between 9th and 8th, so I took the lane for a whole block. When there were no cars in the right lane I got over to the right and it was then that a car behind had enough of my 'blocking' the lane and revved her engine, buzzed me and accelerated up to the light at 7th and Liberty. She came to a screeching halt because the light was turning red and pedestrians were already in the crosswalk. She gestured at me angrily from inside her car. I asked her what her problem was through the rolled up windows and told her she needed a little bit of patience with a Robert DeNiro-esque hand gesture.

lillbit

Then, she rolled down her window and told me I was "taking up the whole lane". I asked "where am I supposed to go? There's cars parked in that lane." She argued that there were not cars there. I pointed to a car parked behind us and "Right there. Are you blind? They can open a door and hurt me!" She still argued that I should have moved over. I asked "I'm supposed to squeeze between a parked car and a crazy driver? No thanks!" It was then that the light was green and she had enough of me. I caught up with her at two more lights. You can't get anywhere fast Downtown.
Even with the lack of the video camera, I managed to not curse at her or use any foul language.

Ride of Silence

The ride was postponed, but roughly 15-20 of us decided to tough out the threat of thunderstorms and ride anyway. This was lead by Jim L whom I'd only met before on business-related matters and it was nice to speak with him in a more relaxed atmosphere. He provided black armbands and spoke before hand about those cyclists we'd lost in the past year.
The route was more-or-less a tour that passed by some of the places where cyclists were killed.
I noticed Dan Y of BikePGH showed up just as we were about to leave. I wanted to introduce myself...I'd been working with him via email on getting a bike rack at our office for a few months now and missed an opportunity to meet him on the day of the Pedal to the Pantry ride. I'd happened upon his group while walking in Bloomfield while they were assisting an elderly woman who'd fallen in the street. She was bloodied and they were calling an ambulance for her. I decided that wasn't a good time to say hello to him. I made a potential faux-pas by catching up to him at a light with on the ride and broke the Silence and said a quick hello and introduction. After the ride, Dan and I had a chance to chat and it was nice to finally meet such an amazing person after hearing so much about him and working with him.

The ride was uneventful and went smoothly save the mechanical problems Jim L was having with his bike. Not a drop of rain fell on us.
I neglected to take photos. *shrug*

Murals in a new light and re-learning a route.

The Pirates have introduced a new set of animated introductions for each player and they incorporate Pittsburgh's murals!




Here's the one they use for Andrew McCutchen:

It's the "The Two Andys" mural on Smithfield Street. Awesome stuff.

I spent Sunday breaking free from the house. Hubby was due to be extra cranky as he had to do a 36 hour fast before an invasive procedure on Monday that I would have to drive him home from. I'll leave that up to the reader's imagination.

Before I rode, I cleaned and re-lubed Ruby's chain, cassette and rear derailleurs with the ParkTool cleaner. I was kicking myself for letting it go so long as I noticed rust and a squeaking noise when I rode last. The rust is gone now and there are no squeaks to be heard.

As I started out, I noticed the Buffleheads were back! I had the good camera too! Only a few of the original 20 remained, but they bobbed about a bit before taking flight for me.

First, I wanted to learn the route from Oakland down to the Eliza Furnace trail on the South Side. Vannevar and S had shown me once before, but I needed to go at it alone to truly learn it. It's a complicated route, some of it is marked and the rest, you're left to fend for yourself. I didn't do too badly. I missed my Neville St turn but eventually got there backtracking via side streets. I wound up heading up Juno St before I realized I'd gone the wrong way and turned around.

I made it!

On the way there I got some shots along Gold Way of the Troll under the Bridge.

Someone gifted him a 40

Then I went to a new favorite restaurant. Amazing Cafe.

Black rice and veggie curry with a Clean Green to wash it down. Nom.

After lunch I headed past the Eagles nest and a plethora of cyclists out on the trail. Wow, it was crowded! I got to the Waterfront and stayed on the roads as suggested.

I needed something to read while waiting for Hubby's procedure tomorrow. I parked at Barnes and Noble's bike rack and headed in for the bathrooms and book heaven.

What should I get? Re-read a classic? Stimulate some brain cells?

Nah. I like the movies better.

Mindless fluff! Yes!

Then I headed back to the South Side and REI for the bathrooms, a rest and a drink. I was sucked in by a pannier I'm hoping will work for baseball game trips. I also got a new bell. The cowbell fell off on my ride today and the bell I was using was barely audible.

It doubles as a tote bag.

I saw all manner of bike on my travels today: a tandem recumbent, a tandem (that I was impressed to see take a tight turn on one of our switchbacks), lots of regular recumbents and even a disabled persons' bike:

On my way back there were more birders checking out the Buffleheads and I stopped to chat with them, we remarked at how gorgeous they were.


No beeps other than a thank you beep when I let someone pass on Gold Way which is a very narrow street. My ongoing saddle and numb fingers issues are grating on my nerves (pun intended). The new gloves helped lessen but not eliminate the numb fingers.
33 miles on a lovely day.

Achievements unlocked: Switchback Mastery and Traffic Mettle

Today I tried to sneak in a bit of riding before a baseball game and before rain hit the area. I rode over to REI for some gloves to help alleviate the recent numb fingers issue I'm having. Rode back via Station Square and noticed the Duke Incline cars are decorated with huge Pirates banners. Very cool.

I took my obligatory #30daysofbiking shot under the McCullough bridge after I checked on one of my geocaches.

I met hubby and we did some bird watching at PNC Park.

Dugout box seats #covet

I used the raincape while we got rained on at the game. Felt particularly stylish in houndstooth while everyone else was wearing hideous disposable ponchos or plastic bags. My pannier doubled as my waterproof camera bag. I stayed dry with all my bike gear and bike clothing doubling as game gear. Win!

Noob Achievements:

Switchback Mastery

I'm noticing my downward rolls on switchbacks are getting much better. I don't crash into the outside rail (or anyone coming up the switchback, which nearly happened once) and can even manage to keep the bike in the center. Maybe one day I can make a tight enough turn to keep the bike on the inside?

Traffic Mettle

It dawned on me one day last week that I no longer avoid riding in traffic. I rode the trail to the Strip and had a decision to make: do I return via the trail or take the streets? I chose the streets and I didn't give it a second thought...

I recalled the first few times I rode in traffic:

I was rather anxious. I remember butterflies and actually trembling while stopped at lights with cars. Despite my fear, I forged on. I would be damned if I would let my fear impede my need to travel by bike.

It pays to ride in the rain...

... because: BUFFLEHEADS!

I noticed out of the corner of my eye this morning on a rainy ride a bird I've never seen before. There was an entire raft of them cavorting in the river in front of the casino. This isn't even their normal range, this was a rare event. They were just passing through on a migratory route and would be gone in a day or so.

A stock photo of this gorgeous bird.

What the cellphone camera captured. (ugh)

I'm in awe of these beautiful, tiny ducks. 

The daffodils are blooming! 

This was a good day.

The Money Shots

When I started out today, was surprised to see barriers at the casino employee parking area. The employees have long been a blight upon the trail. They've nearly run down pedestrians and cyclists on numerous occasions, I've seen it and complained to the casino and Friends of the Riverfront.  I know others have complained too, but we were ignored until a local journalist was nearly run down. She complained directly to the employee who was driving on the trail, to the casino security... and she was ignored also... until she tweeted about it.
It took less than 18 hours for these barriers to be installed. Wow. Awesome.
Rather sad though... the casino doesn't care about our safety until the the threat of bad press is upon them?

I was delighted to tweet a photo of the quick results of her handiwork. I really hope the barriers remain in place.

 I went off in search of eagles.

 The eggs in the Bald Eagles' nest are hatching. The 2nd of three eggs hatched today. The news crews were out in force. I lingered with the media, the birders and the eagle groupies. Then one of the parents went on a food run. I missed the takeoff because I was goofing with my phone. Dammit. I moved my position and before too long the parent returned with food in it's talons.

This crappy cellphone picture simply does no justice to what I saw with my own eyes.

We watched as this majestic bird slowed it's wingbeats to land in the nest. It was jaw-dropping. We went silent. This beast is enormous. The wingspan is breathtaking. As soon as the eagle landed, the news crews had the money shot. They'd gotten what they came for. They started packing up their camera equipment and leaving. I did too. I'd seen a rare and spectacular event. What more could I ask for?


I left and went to the Strip. I stopped at a market for a bathroom and bulk organic popping corn. I love popcorn. Buttered popcorn is another of my vices.
I also made sure to snack, rest and drink while I was there. It had warmed up and I was sweating with all my layers.

I headed down to Millvale and visited another spot for a wonderful skyline shot.

I'm a parking scofflaw.

26 miles on a gorgeous windy day.