Category Archives: Outdoors

3rd Annual Mountain Bike Festival

Part of BikeFest 08 is the Mountain Bike Festival organized by PTAG (Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group).  The Mountain Bike Festival will be traveling to all of the county parks.  Helmets are required and rides will be about 2 hours.

Mountain Bike Festival
July 4-8, 2008
Click here for full info

  • Friday, July 4 – South Park
  • Saturday, July 5 – North Park
    • Ride and Party
  • Sunday, July 6 – Bavington
  • Monday, July 7 – Boyce
  • Tuesda, July 8 – Hartwood

Post Gazette Article on the Mountain Bike Festival (via BikePGH)

Photo: South Park Ride 2007, PGHmtb on Flickr

Bean Bag/Cornhole/Tailgate Toss Players Wanted

Cornhole is a game that goes by many different names – bean bag toss, baggo, tailgate toss (there are many other names listed on the Wikipedia page too).  It is kind of like horse shoes but with bean bags instead.  Click here for game instructions.

There is quite a following of the game here in Western, PA. PUMP offers a league that plays Tue nights at Buffalo Blues in Shadyside – more info here. The Double Wide Grill has some cornhole boards out on their patio too.

Bernie George has organized a few tournaments and is looking for other people who want to play – if you are interested leave a comment here or send me an email info – at – Iheartpgh.com.

Want to learn more about Cornhole? Check out the American Cornhole Association.

I have also set up a Google group for anyone interested in Cornhole events in Western, PA – just add your email below.

Subscribe to wpabeanbags
Email:
Visit this group

Bike Fest & Bike Party

 

Bike PGH kicks off 10 days of bike loving fun tonight with their Bike PGH Party!

Bike Fest info – http://bike-pgh.org/events/bikefest/

CBGB – Community Bicycle Gathering and Bash
Celebrating bike advocacy, the region’s cycling organizations, and bike culture
June 27th, 6PM – 12am
121 7th St. — Downtown

  • Bike tire bowling
  • Silent auction, raffles and more

Bike Fest – 10 days of bike fun around Pittsburgh

  • Daily bike rides scheduled around the city
  • Races
  • July 5 – Bike Polo


Tour of Pennsylvania Rolls Into Town

There are a ton of great things to do this weekend. But I am most excited about watching the Tour of PA. The Tour of PA is like the Tour de France, a huge professional bike race across the state of PA, part of this is in celebration of Pittsburgh’s 250. There are going to be 3 great opportunities to watch the racers enter the finish line and there are a ton of events to go along with the race.

I am including the race specifics – where to watch the start and finish below. Here is the short version with other activities included. Also check out the Trib’s Spectator Guide -which has lots of helpful info like what each color jersey means (via BikePGH).

  • Friday, June 27 – Bedford to Latrobe
    • While you are in Latrobe you might want to take a drive out to Ligonier – the library has an exhibit of Antique Bike Paraphernalia up until July 12, 2008.
  • Saturday, June 28 – Ligonier to Pittsburgh
  • Sunday, June 29 – Downtown Pittsburgh Criterium
    • Free Bike Valet – Bike PGH will safely watch your bikes while you watch the race.  Park at one of the trail lots and bike downtown for the finish.

Friday, June 27 – Bedford to Latrobe
Start: Bedford, Penn and South Juliana Street
Finish: Latrobe, Ligonier and Alexandria Street
Estimated Finish Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM Followed by Awards Ceremony

Highmark Healthy High Five Finish Line Festival: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Lot on Ligonier Street near Alexandria Street

Saturday, June 28 – Ligonier to Pittsburgh
Start: Ligonier, Market Street just off Route 30
Finish: Pittsburgh Southside, Sidney Street right before Hot Metal Street
Official Start Time: Noon Opening Ceremonies: 11:30 AM
Miles: 91 Kilometers: 146
Estimated Finish Time: 2:55 – 3:30 PM Followed by Awards Ceremony at American Eagle Outfitters HQ on Sidney Street right before Hot Metal Street

Highmark Healthy High Five Finish Line Festival: 2:00PM – 9:00PM
28th and Sidney Street in Pittsburgh Southside

Sunday, June 29 – Downtown Pittsburgh Criterium
Start/Finish Line: Blvd of the Allies and Stanwix Street
Official Start Time: 5 PM, Opening Ceremonies: 4:00 PM
Miles: 50 Kilometers: 80.5 (33 laps on a 1.5 mile/2.4km circuit)
Approximate Finish Time: 6:50 PM, Awards Ceremony to follow

Highmark Healthy High 5 Finish Line Festival: 2:00PM – 9:00PM
Blvd of the Allies and Stanwix Street

More Blog Coverage:

  • Giro di Keir – this is the blog of one of the cyclists on Team Race Pro – he writes about arriving in Philly.
  • Urban Velo