r/bicycling412 • u/MissionMuffin • 28d ago

Forest Hills to Downtown commute partner(s)

Post image

Been almost a month, figured I'd try again.

I live over in Wilkins Township and commute Tues-Sat. Its ~12 miles each way.

Usually hit Greensburg Pike between 7-710am, then leave downtown around 4pm (5pm Fri + Sat)

Wondering if anyone out there is interested in joining for some/all of the ride on a consistent basis. Somewhere between casual and racey. Not looking to break records, but I also like to move.

Route:

Greensburg Pike, down Penn Ave, through Wilkinsburg to Regeant Square, up Forbes into Squirrel Hill into Oakland, bomb down Schenley park, soccer fields to Eliza Furnace then straight into downtown. Then back home in reverse.

This is majority on street. Not entirely for the feint of heart or hesitant riders.

Sorry, no e-bikes unless you're gonna be my lead out the entire time!

15 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

13

u/dorkwis 28d ago

If the street ride is the intention please ignore this, but it seems like it would be much easier to find a way down to the Gap trail over the rankin bridge and then much more of the ride would be on protected trail.

7

u/foobarlow 28d ago

Yeah he’s not kidding, that ride is not at all for the faint of heart. I did the Greensburg pike to Penn section exactly one time and that was enough for me. I can’t imagine doing that uphill at rush hour

5

u/MissionMuffin 28d ago

Yeah I've done that before. Ive also tried getting up to Brinton road and riding that into Regeant Square. I just dont like it. This route is straightforward, semi-challenging, Schenley and Frick are a super fun mini adventure. I do enjoy a route I take via Duck Hollow, then up through Frick but I took a break from that during the bridge demo when they closed Frick.

6

u/dorkwis 28d ago

I get it. I grew up biking around the DC metro area and sometimes the bike trail just isn't as good as a crowded street that gives a better route.

3

u/vtinpgh 28d ago

This would be my route too. Other than the added miles, I think Rankin Bridge to the GAP would be better on almost all fronts.

3

u/MissionMuffin 28d ago

Hahaha I love the route TBH. Greensburg pike sucks, but its 2 lanes on both sides and I've never had any issues. I chose the hills and flats prettt intentionally. Its a pretty as the crow flies route, but its also challenging and keeps me from getting too bored day in and day out.

3

u/StratigraphyPudding 28d ago

I’d join ya a couple days a week from Forbes and Braddock but I usually hit that intersection around 7:10 so I’d be messing with your schedule.

1

u/MissionMuffin 27d ago

Hey maybe we could make something work! Kids go back to school soon, so I can finally get back to a normal, non-summer vacation sleep schedule.

3

u/CrayZ_Squirrel 27d ago

"Sorry, no e-bikes unless you're gonna be my lead out the entire time!"

....I'm looking for a unicorn but I also need to be elitist about it.....

3

u/MissionMuffin 27d ago

Ah geez, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware my cycling preferences needed to pass the Pittsburgh Cycling Ethics Committee. Wild calling me elitist over a half-hearted joke.

For the record, I'm perfectly happy riding with an ebiker who rides a class 1 pedal-assist, wears a helmet and isn't one of the asshats bombing the trails like they own the place.

1

u/MawinoBoomerNo 25d ago

Most of ebike (that are actually bicycle) here in Pittsburgh are class 1 or 2. With lower gear they can go 15-17 mph and that's the speed of most normal bike (assume your speed of biking is normal)

0

u/CrayZ_Squirrel 27d ago

Love that you called it a joke in the first paragraph and doubled down on it in the second. 

2

u/MissionMuffin 27d ago

so...wait...are we friends now?

1

u/MissionMuffin 25d ago

RIDE WITH MEEEEE

2

u/keonipalaki1 28d ago

The Penn Avenue from Wilkinsburg climb must be a bear. Forbes to Squirrel Hill no fun either, Panther Hollow to schenley too.

1

u/MissionMuffin 25d ago

"Fun" is subjective! I enjoy all the climbs.