BikeFest Events: Weekend, August 20-21

Great shot from Tuesday Night’s Northside Public Art Tour. More photos from 2011 BikeFest available on our Flickr Site.

Lots of great events this weekend. Find out more about BikeFest on our website.

Saturday, August 20

River Ride to Bike Heaven / Sat, August 20, 9:30am – 12:00pm

Parking lot under the 31st Street Bridge by Three River’s Rowing Washington’s Landing

We will start at 9:30am, so please be there and ready to ride! This will be a 15-20 mile ride on the riverfront trails and a bit of side streets, ending on the Northside at Bicycle Heaven. You will be responsible for you own way back to Washington’s Landing after the ride, an easy ride up the trail. The event and admission are free and all ages and riding abilities are encouraged to attend.Bicycle Heaven, is the new North Side museum that is dedicated to all things two-wheeled, from 1860s “boneshakers” — handcrafted wooden bikes — to rare fiberglass Bowden Spacelanders and the ultimate 1960s pedal-driven dream: the Schwinn Sting-Ray Krate. A museum of rare, vintage and antique bikes, as well as sales, repairs and rentals.For any additional information call (412) 716-4956 and also check out Joyce’s Cycling Friends on Facebook.

Urban Fitness Ride / Sat, August 20, 9:30am – 11:30am

Eliza Furnace Trail

Step it up a notch with these steady-paced rides around the city. We’ll connect 15 miles of Riverfront Trails in under two hours. With only a couple stops for breaks, we’ll ride as a group taking in the morning sights and sounds of Pittsburgh. Bike rentals are not available through VO for this ride. Difficulty: Moderate Cost: $15.00 non-member / $10.00 member Organization: Venture Outdoors www.ventureoutdoors.org

Burgh Breweries Tour / Sat, August 20, 10am – 2pm

OTB Bicycle Cafe (2518 E Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203)

The Burgh Breweries Tour is for beer and craft enthusiasts, covering the long history of brewing in the city as well as some of the newest and most innovative brewers around. The tour will start and end at The OTB Bicycle Cafe to allow you to put all of your new beer knowledge into practice and get a well deserved bite to eat. The tour costs $30 per person and covers your guided tour as well as food and drink at OTB. If you are a BikePGH member the tour costs $25 – just mention your membership when you register at http://www.youractivecity.com/?page_id=84&tour_id=1131 or by calling 412-303-0566. The skill level is moderate as we will ride on both trails and streets for approximately 4 hours (with breaks), and all riders must be 21 years of age or older.

Saturday Bike and Lunch / Sat, August 20, 10am – 2pm

Millvale Riverfront Park

You can expect a great tour of the city on this easy 15 mile pedal with a midway stop at the OTB Bicycle Cafe in the Southside for lunch! We’ll take in the sights while showing you how to connect the downtown bike trails. Bring a daypack and water.Price does not include bike rentals. Bike rentals are available through Venture Outdoors for $8.00. Reservations for rentals should be made by calling into the office, 412-255-0564 ext. 0 after registering for the program.

Difficulty: Easy Cost: $30.00 non-member / $22.00 member Organization: Venture Outdoors www.ventureoutdoors.org

12 Bridges, 3 Rivers, 21 Miles / Sat, August 20, 11am – 1pm

Tazza D’oro Cafe, 1125 N Highland, Highland Park

Join us for great views of the city via its many bridges. We’ll cross 12 bridges in the downtown area covering 21 miles on a fairly level ride with only one long hill. The ride is not for the novice rider, but also not made for the race enthusiast.Rain Cancels, helmets and waiver-form sign-ins required. Sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen. The ride starts at Tazza D’oro Cafe, 1125 N Highland, Highland Park Other ride details at: Team Decaf BikeFest Info Ride map available at: Ride Map

Sunday, August 21

A Looney Tune Ride Around Town / Sun, August 21, 8:30am – 11:30am

Coffee Tree Roasters, Walnut St., Shadyside

Skilled riders, open to children and families, rigs and racers, duplexes, tandems and tricylces. However, please note this will be a 25+ mile ride at a fairly pepe le pew pace. It is a no drop ride. there will be hills, a couple of which are not for the faint of heart. I think it appropriate to revise my previous rating. again, in the language of the wheelmen, it is a B ride with plenty of zee hills zat keep zhose doggies rollin’- obscure and wonderfully charming views of the city and beyond… all zee way to france… cameras are a smart take, though I wouldn’t bring a large SLR. you can always return to the scenes of the crime… Contact: Avi Wenger, drregnew@speakeasy.net rain enhances. are helmets required? i’ll be wearin’ one/won/1.

Allen’s Ride / Sun, August 21, 8:30am – 11:30am

Immel’s Bicycle shop, Rt. 8,Gibsonia

Start Time is Approximate – Call Allen to confirm RIDE LEADER: Allen Kincaid 724 443-6340 (day) 724 443-2927 (eve) RIDE INFO: These are true class “C” rides (12-15mph, steady pace with breaks) into southern Butler County varying in length and starting times, but all on Sunday. Please call beforehand to get all the info about the ride.

Church Ride Part 1 / Sun, August 21, 9am – 11am

OTB Bicycle Cafe (2518 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203) & Costco (202 Costco Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15205)

Using the new trail through the Waterfront and Duquesne, we are going to tour the churches located in the Homestead and McKeesport areas. We will be leaving OTB at 9:00 am and the Costco parking lot at 9:30 am. There are 18 churches in a four block area in the hills of Homestead and interesting stories connected to churches in McKeesport. We’ll have speakers with knowledge of the history of some of the churches, and we will return back to both the Costco parking lot and OTB via the bike trail. Helmets are required.

Trek of Pittsburgh Sunday Morning Ride / Sun, August 21, 9:30am – 11:30am

Trek of Pittsburgh – Robinson Township

C level riders (12-15mph, steady pace with breaks) 20-25 miles We meet at the Trek of Pittsburgh – Robinson Township location on Steubenville Pike. We travel mostly back roads with minimal traffic through Robinson, Moon, North Fayette and Findlay Townships. Ride Leader: Paul Kopko, paulk@trekofpgh.com, 412-788-8735.

Hardcourt Bike Polo / Sun, August 21, 1pm – 5pm

Bloomfield Rec Center Hockey Court (Under the Bloomfield Bridge, behind Paul Lumber (4072 Liberty Ave in 15224)

Hardcourt Bicycle Polo is a game of speed, skill, and balance. With roots that reach back over 100 years to when bicycle polo began on grass, this hardcourt variant bears resemblance to both traditional horse polo and street hockey. Called ‘hardcourt’ because it played on paved surfaces, the game consists of two teams of three players and can be played to a time limit or a certain score. Each team defends a goal with their bicycle and a mallet while trying to remain on two wheels. The Pittsburgh Hardcourt Bike Polo club is known for their competitive abilities and their good spirit, and we welcome both new players and spectators alike. Anyone interested in playing should bring a bike that they are comfortable and familiar with as well as a helmet. Gloves are recommended, if preferred. We have plenty of spare mallets for new players to borrow. Wednesday night is beginner’s night, but new players are encouraged to watch and join in on any pick-up day when they are comfortable. Rain cancels, helmets are required, spectators are encouraged, and this event is not recommended for children 16 or under. Additional links: http://www.facebook.com/pghbikepolo http://www.pghbikepolo.com pghbikepolo@gmail.com Website with maps: http://pghbikepolo.com/about/

Drop-In Class: Bottom Bracket / Sun, August 21, 2pm – 4pm

Free Ride! Bicycle Co-op 214 N. Lexington St. PGH, PA 15208

Learn how to measure all aspects of the bottom bracket for compatibility. We will remove and replace cartridge bottom brackets and re-pack adjustable bottom brackets. This class is one of Free Ride’s Adult Basic Bicycle Mechanic’s Classes. No registration is necessary, just show up at our shop on time. If you are interested in learning more about this or another of our many classes, check out out website. http://freeridepgh.org/learn/adult-classes/ Class is $15 or 2 volunteer hours. All volunteer hours must be completed prior to class.

OTB Movie Night / Sun, August 21, 4pm – 9pm

OTB Bicycle Cafe (2518 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203)

Join us for a relaxing evening of your favorite bike themed movies, there will be popcorn too! This is also the end party for the BikeFest Photo Hunt Contest.

Drop-In Class: Wheel Truing / Sun, August 21, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Free Ride Bicycle Co-op 214 N. Lexington St. PGH, PA 15208

How to prepare your wheel and make spoke nipple adjustment to make a lateral true and straighten the rim of your wheel. This class is one of Free Ride’s Adult Basic Bicycle Mechanic’s Classes. No registration is necessary, just show up at our shop on time. If you are interested in learning more about this or another of our many classes, check out the website. Class is $15 or 2 volunteer hours. All volunteer hours must be completed prior to class.

Not a member of BikePGH?Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership