Tag Archives: OTB

Sept 15 – Event & Raffle to Support Cyclist Who Was Attacked Last Week

I don’t know if you saw this story in the news last week or not – last Wednesday a cyclist was violently attacked by a driver on the South Side. Please take a moment to read the story in the Post-Gazette here – they have released a description of the driver who has still not been identified.

The cyclist, Colin Albirght, has been in the hospital but he will be okay. I have seen some photos of his injuries, I don’t think it is appropriate to share those with out talking with him first – but shocking is not strong enough of a word to describe the photos.

Some friends of the cyclist are organizing a raffle and event to raise some money to help with expenses and recovery. This is where Pittsburgh is awesome – already numerous businesses and organizations have donated raffle prizes.

This is an opportunity to not only support Colin but to support the cycling community in Pittsburgh. Bikes are a good thing for Pittsburgh – less people in cars is a good thing for Pittsburgh. And the cycling community here has come together to do really good things for others in Pittsburgh – if you aren’t familiar with groups like Bike Pittsburgh, Free Ride, Flock of Cycles – please visit their websites and learn more about them. I also just learned about the Positive Spin program from the MGR Foundation that is working to provide city youth with cycling mentors.

How you can help

Attend the event at OTB on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Buy Raffle Tickets
Donate a raffle prize

Reverse Keg Ride 2011 Includes Costume Contest for Best PGH Costume!

Image by robjdlc via Flickr

For those of you looking for a way to celebrate Halloween while getting some exercise – think of it as canceling out the candy – or you really love bicycles and beer – this is the event for you. Its time for the annual Reverse Keg Ride.

What is a Reverse Keg Ride?

A few years ago, End End Brewing decided that the best way to get the first keg of Pedal Pale Ale to the bar was by bike. And thus the keg ride was born. And each year a few more people decided to come along for the ride. This spring over 400 people joined the ride to deliver the first keg AND raise money for some local charities.

Since the keg rides have been so popular, in 2009 it was decided that the way to end the pedaling season was with a reverse keg ride back to the brewery – another chance to raise some money, drink some beer and take a bike ride through Pittsburgh with a few hundred people.

Keg Ride, but its Halloween Weekend?

Yes, it is! So the bicycle beer loving folks are holding a costumer contest – and it is a good one. Prizes will be awarded for Best Beer-themed Costume, Best Pittsburgh-themed Costume and Best Overall Costume,

How does this work?

Well, talk about another great example of a Pittsburgh collaboration. East End Brewing is working with the folks at Venture Outdoors to make sure this is a well organized and safe event. East End Brewing knows beer. And Venture Outdoors are experts in organizing large groups of people to do fun things outside.

Reverse Keg Ride Details

Saturday, October 29th. Rain or shine.
Breakfast and Check-in at 9:00am
Depart at 10:00, arrive at 11:00-11:30am
Cost: $15 for pre-registration (on-line), $20 for Day-of-ride registration. This is a charitable contribution that goes to support “Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders” (aka ABOARD), a non-profit agency, providing a lifeline of support for families and individuals with autism.
What you get: a continental breakfast, morning coffee, a fun day of riding your bike in a big group… and this year’s very first SNOW MELT WINTER ALE fresh from the brewery.
Get all the details and warnings about hills here. Ready to register – you can do that here.

The Best Beer to Enjoy at Every MLB Ballpark (bleacherreport.com)
More beer-related news (pittsburgh.metblogs.com)
Two brewers battle for rights to historic Pittsburgh beer label (philly.com)

The Hills Are Alive…

: Image via Wikipedia

not with the sound of music, but with the sound of cyclists and Rick Sebak brought some video cameras along. Tonight (Wednesday, January 26) and I am sure many other times because these things do get repeated – Rick Sebak’s show Its Pittsburgh takes a look at The Dirty Dozen. The Dirty Dozen is an “unofficial” bicycle race that goes something like 58 miles up and down 13 of the steepest streets in Pittsburgh, including Canton Avenue, arguably the steepest public street in the world).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ7akznx-p8[/youtube]

Make sure you check out the The Dirty Dozen website here for a complete history of the race, winners and temperature on race day – amazing that it has only snowed during the race in 1983.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQpEFK7t3nM[/youtube]

If you would like to watch this with other cyclists – there is a screening party tonight at OTB Bicycle Cafe with drink specials too, screening is at 7:30 but the party starts at 6:30. More info at BikePGH and OTB Facebook Page.

(h/t to @PatrickK for the heads up on this screening)

3 Neighborhoods and 3 Blogs – IheartPGH talks Pittsburgh Neighborhoods with AOL's Rented Spaces Blog

rentedspaces Last week we had the opportunity to suggest some Pittsburgh neighborhoods and blogs for a post on AOL’s Rented Spaces about top housing markets in Pittsburgh and Louisville.