Just Riding Along

In August of 2007, I participated in the Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer. It's a 500-ish mile bicycle ride to raise money to fight cancer. The 2007 route went from Erie, PA to Palmerton, PA. I somewhat hastily kept a journal of the ride that year, and have posted part of it on the Dirt Rag site here.

Have you ever gone on a long trip via bike? By "long," I mean more than just a few hours, all day or perhaps overnight or through several days. I also mean a trip via bicycle straight from your door – no intermediate car or plane ride, just you pedaling out from home and eventually returning.

Recognizing that there is a need for more than just one day a year being designated as Bike to Work Day, our local advocacy group, Bike Pittsburgh and their partners have decided to designate the Friday of every week during the summer Bike to Work Day. This city-wide effort is encouraging all residents in the city of Pittsburgh to leave their vehicles at home and go Car Free Fridays.

May is bike to work Month. Although I am not a daily bike commuter, I try to squeeze in the 21 mile ride from my home out in a heavily wooded part of the city, through downtown, then out to the office in the sticks whenever I can. Despite the handful of reasons for not commuting everyday, I am proud of myself when I do suit up and decide to ride my touring bike to work.

Two years ago, when I first started here at Bicycle Times / Dirt Rag, I hardly knew the difference between a bike and a ferris wheel. Yesterday, under a beautiful blue sky, my hubby and I pedaled 30 miles of trail from Connellsville, PA to the Ohiopyle State Park visitor center.

I've been thinking about the last two years a lot and the stroke of luck that landed me in with a really dedicated great bunch of folk here at Bicycle Times / Dirt Rag Headquarters.

It seems like the web editorial schedule at the office here always has my contributions coinciding with other important things. Today’s for instance. As I write this on Thursday, Bicycle Times #2 is being finalized, literally as I type. Last minute corrections, ad placements and fact checking keep the office hopping. To add to the sense of hustle and bustle, I’ve got a little ride planned tomorrow morning at 5:00am. 400 miles of unsupported riding in the rain. More info here.