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Saturday,  May 30 is Beyond Bikes Day – a family friendly bicycle celenbration for beginners – I wan’t to make sure to point out that this is beginner friendly – I know we have posted lots of bike information but I am a bike begginner myself and I know that it can be intimidating.  

Beyond Bikes Day is organized by Venture Outdoors and the Major Taylor Cycling Club
The event will be held Saturday, May 30, at the Kingsley Association Community Center at 6435 Frankstown Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. This particular event will encourage biking as a family-friendly activity, as well as showcase some of the bike lanes in Pittsburgh, particularly the bike lane along East Liberty Boulevard. Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. A limited number of loaner bikes will be available. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the day, including kids’ bikes and biking gear.
I had seen a reference to the Major Taylor Club before but I didn’t know much about it.  The Pittsburgh Chapter is a project of Pitt’s Center for Minority Health.  
Do you know Major Taylor? 

In the late 1890’s bicycle races drew crowds that filled Madison Square Garden; the biggest draw of all was Marshall W. Major Taylor. Having become the undisputed black champion of America, Taylor overcame racial segregation and intolerance to become the one-mile sprint world champion in 1899, and by the end of 1898 held seven world cycling records! 

Why is this important? 

The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Minority Health and Adventure Cycling Association share the goal of encouraging people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, including African Americans, to explore the landscapes and history of America by bicycle. That is why these two organizations are committed to creating an Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Throughout history black people have used bicycles as a mode of transportation. Both Major Taylor and the Underground Railroad represent the struggle to freedom from slavery and the challenge to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.  
More info on the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club is availble here.  Also the blogger Pittsburgh Guy has a great post about the Major Taylor Club and their ride to show support for the families of the police officers that will killed in April.

Image by 顔なし via Flickr

Speaking of bikes, it is time for another favoirte annual bike ride – Friday, May 15 is the East End Brewing’s Annual Pedal Pale Ale Keg Ride.
THE RIDE: To help spread the word about what it means to operate an environmentally sustainable brewery (more on that here), for the past few years, we’ve been delivering the the very first PEDAL PALE ALE kegs of the season to a local tap-spot in a very unique way….BY BICYCLE.
Check out our post on last years ride with links to pictures from past rides.  Last year over 220 people joined the ride!  Join in and help them top that number again this year.

I did a little blog searching and found some other cool blogs that posted about the Pedal Pale Ale Keg Ride

• Bike PGH – also note that May 15, 2009 in Bike to Work Day – check out some of the biker breakfast stations.
• Columbus Rides – our bike friendly friends to the West are excited about bikes and beer in Pittsburgh too.
• FoodBurgh – has a post on the ride – check out some of their other great reviews of local watering holes too.  This blog is a great new addition to the PGH blogging scene.
• The Brew Lounge – a great extensive blog about beer – has a nice post about East End Brewing and the Keg Ride
• FixedGear – another Philadelphia cyclist who is a fan of beer and bikes

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

• The Banff Mountain Film Festival :: Byham Theater, Pittsburgh – The 2009 Banff Film Festival will be in Pittsburgh on April 10 and 11, 2009. Tickets are on sale now!
• Urban Velo #12 Preview at Urban Velo – I picked up a copy of one the past issues of Urban Velo and was really impressed. They do a great job with this publication, which covers lots more than Pittsburgh. I am looking forward to seeing issue #12
• Peoples Cartel | We Just Like It – Pittsburgh T-shirt company – People's Cartel is featured on the blog We Just Like It.

Click here to see more links we like.

Image by Damiel via FlickrHere is one way to kick off the new year.  The Western PA Wheelmen host an annual first day of the year bike ride – Icycle Bicycle Ride.  Rain, snow or shine they have been riding on new years day for 30 years.  Meet at REI for some hot chocolate.  Bring a helmet.

January 1, 2009, 11 am. for more info.

via Venture Outdoors Blog

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

• Boyd & Blair Vodka Distillery | Dave and Dave’s Excellent Blog – Dave and Dave blog about their visit to a Pittsburgh vodka distillery.
• Pop City – Luke & Eloy Gallery joins Lawrenceville's Butler St. commercial district – New gallery opens in Lawrenceville!
• Dirt Rag Magazine Blog » Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Seeks New Team – Thanks to Dirt Rag Magazine (based in Pittsburgh but covering biking all over the country and beyond) for posting a link to this amazing job opening! Do you think they want a blogger to come and write about the trip!
• Apartment reopens! – Normal store hours: Tuesday thru Saturday : 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m..

  It has been near one year since we've been closed our ZETO's Flagship store, "APARTMENT" on East Carson Street.
  Some of you may have noticed the resident artists Brian Holderman's work through Sprout funds project, Three river arts festival, and
  Down town partnership murals etc. and ZETO brand to be discovered in other cities. We've been extended our wings for national distribution
  channel, but we are finally calm and ready to re-connect our favorite clients in Pittsburgh!

  APARTMENT has many new HOT styles (designed by Nami Ogawa made in Pittsburgh) are lined up and offering for 30 – 60% discount price
  from retail price*. You can only find ZETO clothing at APARTMENT in Pittsburgh, and prices are exclusive.

Click here to see more links we like.