That is a day I could probably do.
2010-12-10 19:43:40
118
A Completely Informal Message Board Meetup: 12- 20 / Fundraiser for Cyclist...
As suggested by BikeyGirl, we'll have a completely informal get together at OTB on December 20.
There will be absolutely no programming and food and beverages are left up to the individual wallet.
OTB saved a keg of Pedal Pale Ale for a special occasion and so they've decided to share it with us that night! YES! And all burgers are $5 on Mondays.
So come out and meet some of your fellow message board users.
I'll bring some name tags so you can write your message board name (and maybe even your real name) on it.
December 20, OTB.
7-ish. Be there.
Or be somewhere else and have less fun.
2010-12-10 18:57:37
ohhh maybe I think I can make this!
2010-12-10 19:49:44
I'll be late, but i think i can make it... might even drag hubby out.
2010-12-10 20:32:27
in!
2010-12-10 21:13:41
Cool! I'll put it on my calendar!
2010-12-10 21:21:43
hoping to not be stuck in the OR until late...
2010-12-10 22:25:34
On the calendar, in ink.
2010-12-10 23:13:57
Facebook event please?
2010-12-11 01:32:20
Done! Facebook invite is here!
I invited a few people but not very many so everyone is welcome to invite everyone else.
It's an open event so if you didn't get invited on FB it's probably because we're not FB friends or because it's Sat. morning and why am I not asleep!
2010-12-11 14:05:31
invited some coworkers, they were up for $5 burgers 
2010-12-11 18:52:50
I'll maybe make it.
2010-12-13 22:17:33
This meetup coincides with my preplanned Tron Legacy night, dagnabbit.
2010-12-15 00:57:21
i'm toadly there. i still have the stupid groupon so i'm gonna eat till i burst/drink till i barf.
2010-12-15 01:44:11
That's the spirit!
2010-12-15 02:24:26
I'm excited because I've been lax on getting real food in my house, and it will be awesome to eat something that's not bread/pepperoni rolls (yuck.)
2010-12-15 02:39:53
That's the spirit!
Which, whiskey? (yuk yuk yuk)
2010-12-15 03:14:57
Just drink responsibly! (not rail whiskey)
2010-12-15 12:42:36
Lagavulin
2010-12-15 14:07:25
Jameson's.
2010-12-15 18:49:13
No. Lagavulin.
With fenders.
2010-12-15 19:39:31
Please come out to this if you can. We're working with OTB to put together a number of items to raffle off to help with the medical bills for Nate/Nathan who was attacked the other night who is the main cook at OTB
2010-12-17 20:32:09
Any idea on the price(s) of raffle tickets?
2010-12-19 23:40:41
what would be super nice would be if we could somehow set up a permanent fund of some type for this kind of thing, with an annual raffle (or a couple times a year) or something, so that people are covered. Maybe not 100%, but some.
What would be even better would be if nobody ever needed it.
2010-12-20 11:54:12
I'm not sure about the cost of raffle tickets yet, but a ridiculous number of things have been donated... I was just notified that there are now THREE bikes!... So bring some people out tonight so we can pack this raffle and raise some significant money.
2010-12-20 13:12:42
hey, anyone going from bloomfield/lawrenceville who could help me to not get lost in oakland? I'm looking at google maps, and the quick way seems to be through oakland, but oakland still makes me nervous.
anyone who accepts this should know that I am the slowest person in the world on a bike, especially if there's a hill.
2010-12-20 22:08:40
anyone who accepts this should know that I am the slowest person in the world on a bike, especially if there's a hill.
Even if it's downhill? It's pretty much flat to downhill from Bloomfield... Where in Bloomfield are you roughly? I would ride with you but I'm actually in South Side right now...I could possibly ride home with you though.
2010-12-20 22:14:57
when are you planning on going? at 7 or later? if later i can meet you. but i will be at the lifecycles screening until 7:45-8. my knee is all jacked up so slow is fine with me right now.
2010-12-20 22:15:42
@Noah... I'm not sitting by you...
2010-12-20 22:16:34
Even if it's downhill?
haha, I know oakland and bloomfield don't have many hills, but I'm pretty much the worst with most inclines. Until recently, I had trouble getting across bridges, and it's still not my favorite thing to do.
I'm on liberty, just a few blocks up from church brew works.I don't know when I'm planning on being there, I guess most any time is okay.
2010-12-20 22:18:56
ah I thought you were on the upper side of Bloomfield... yeah you'll have a little bit of an incline if you go up through Oakland, but the uphills pretty much end after you get up Liberty. Were you planning on going through Panther Hollow then across the Hot Metal Bridge?
2010-12-20 22:43:36
that's where google's taking me
colin, I could probably wait up until then, I forgot that I need to shower/dry my hair, so I won't be ready to leave for a bit. what time and where do you want to meet?
2010-12-20 22:47:15
Ok! Be sure to bring your bright lights... the Hollow is unlit (I forgot my head lamp so I'll be going back up the shared sidewalk on 5th unless I can jump in on a caravan afterward).
See yinz there!
2010-12-20 23:00:38
Come on down Yinz!!!!!
I'm here! And Nathan --looking slightly better-- is here!!!
2010-12-20 23:31:42
so I'm getting dressed and heading out. I scrawled down directions, but I'm gonna get SO lost. It'll be fun, though.
2010-12-21 00:07:23
Bah, why do I always work when cool things are happening and not go to cool things when I'm not working...
2010-12-21 00:37:39
I'd like to apologize for being awkward, haha.
2010-12-21 04:07:45
@ RubberFactory did you have a good time? Thats all that matters!
It was great to see such an awesome turn out! I had a good time!
2010-12-21 04:13:33
yeah, good foosd, nice people. I just get really nervous when there's a crowd or a large group of people.
2010-12-21 04:21:33
I understand, I'm on the shy side myself. I did the stand in the corner thing(actually by the speaker)...lol. It was lots of fun tho.
I take it you did NOT get lost?
2010-12-21 04:24:30
This was a great event.
...met and talked to a bunch of folks for the first time, including sloaps, rsprake, erok, Pseudacris, StuInMcCandless, ejwme, joeframbach, and RickyTickyTac. (Sure I forgot someone) ...said hi to a bunch more.
Good thing there's parking meters on that block!
2010-12-21 04:57:21
Sorry to have not really met anyone new there this evening. I was there for about half an hour as unexpected stuff throughout the day had me in another headspace, and really hungry. The packed bar and lack of seating kept me from getting anything to eat, and the trivia PA ending up sending me out looking for some other eats. Never made it back.
Looked like a successful night!
2010-12-21 05:22:29
Great to see everyone! Huge props to lolly for putting this together on such short notice.
2010-12-21 05:22:46
Thanks for biking up Greenfield Ave with me Salty. I still think it was a fantastic idea.
Thanks Bike-PHG people for putting it on, especially Lolly!
I'm glad we raised some money for Nathan's bills.
2010-12-21 05:32:00
yeah it was fun. good trivia team names.
2010-12-21 05:45:42
FYI we raised a little over $1700 for Nathan tonight!
2010-12-21 06:12:22
Woohooo!!!!!
2010-12-21 06:16:03
nice.
I take it you did NOT get lost?
I did, just not too badly. once I got off panther hollow trail, I ended up I don't know where a few times.
2010-12-21 08:31:33
That was a great time. I didn't chat a lot since after the burger and beverage I was just ready to chill. And my head was still kind of into that movie. But what a great feeling.
I am so going out in the woods on Sun.
2010-12-21 11:51:26
Hubby and I stopped by and got to meet a few people, sorry we ditched early, I had a ridiculous AM meeting. It was fantastic to see everybody, but it reminded me - I need to go on more rides 
2010-12-21 13:13:39
Wow! $1700! I was there, but by the time I arrived I was only able to stake out a little space at the bar...so I didn't get to meet very many people. 
Had a great time with those I did, though.
Did win a clock though, which is going up in my office!
2010-12-21 13:23:37
@Gimp - what is that saying about the best of intentions????? Didn't I see you sitting next to Noah MOST of the evening? Oh well, it looked like he was behaving himself (yet having fun).
2010-12-21 14:21:17
Thanks for everyone for coming out! I was scrambling around for most of the time doing logistical things (!) but I was so so impressed and excited to see how fast and easily people came out to help another cyclist.
It was also really great to see lots of people I haven't met yet in person.
We'll definitely do this again sometime in the new year, perhaps with less hectic circumstances. Next time I will not be holding a screechy microphone!
2010-12-21 15:37:58
there was def an all-star cast there last night. wish i coulda met everyone
2010-12-21 16:32:28
Wish I could have been there.
2010-12-21 16:39:47
I'm generally not the bar-going sort, but I did want to connect some faces and names, as well as support the cause. I think I can now identify a few more of y'uns on sight. Had I been able to hear myself think I might've been more sociable. Still, it was cool to win a bunch of bike things in the raffle. I've already worn the Dirt Rag sweatshirt while shopping at Northway Mall!
2010-12-21 17:40:31
Did anyone take any photos?
EDIT: I was abit overhelmed with everyone there! And wish I would have put more msg-board names w/actual faces -but I think I did ok!
Ultimately, and to second Noah, GREAT party (thanks Lolly!), and an exceptional group of people
2010-12-21 17:45:31
that party was top notch. you all are great. i should have moved around and socialized with more people but i was too busy holding court with my groupon-enabled bingefest. i think i OD'd on seitan
2010-12-21 18:04:16
ooooo the gluten bomb. been there.
2010-12-21 20:06:26
what an awesome night ! ! ! !
2010-12-21 20:47:44
indeed. i want everyone to know that was my first "internet meetup"
2010-12-21 20:51:34
Behind the times Erok. I think my first internet meetup was in 1996, but it was more a local BBS meetup since only a few of us knew what the internet really was.
2010-12-21 21:09:50
this gathering of good folks made me more excited for the february gathering, especially because february is MISERABLE and we need more fun things then.
way to rally pittsburgh bike community. im always impressed by you!
2010-12-21 21:22:49
indeed. i want everyone to know that was my first "internet meetup"
Mine too Erok! Twas a fun time. It was great getting to know some people from the board and I'm glad we raised some good money for Nathan.
2010-12-21 21:27:04
Stu, thanks for representing in the Dirt Rag wear!
Good times, glad to get out and about. Packed house at the theatre, packed house at the bar, pleasant ride home through the park.
2010-12-21 21:27:08
what's the february meetup? same deal?
my first internet meetup was in 02. it was a music festival put on by a certain band for their message board members' bands to play. "stockage" in fort collins... it was amazing
2010-12-21 21:44:53
So, I'm a curious one, obviously a phenomenal night out as eric said, what do you suppose it was that got everyone to leave their warm sofas en masse?
Obviously the opportunity to help the guy who got banged brought people out.
Synergy between the movie and OtB? That added to it for me.
The holiday season, people just more ready to party?
Time of the week? (Monday, really?)
The full moon?
I'm thinking on this for future events.
2010-12-21 22:14:28
i'd put beer on that list
2010-12-21 22:25:02
The venue maybe?
There are a decent number of us (3 to 12) that show up at OTB on every single Monday evening for the $5 burgers anyway.
2010-12-21 22:28:45
definitely fun. great meeting and putting names to faces.
as for incentives to go:
-local charity fund raiser
-dinner + beer
-fun people, fun place
-on my way home
and the obligatory: my coworker bikeygirl would have given me so much crap for not attending :p
(although it would all have been: taco taco burrito taco guac)
2010-12-21 22:49:04
got 3 hours of sleep after that, worked 4:30-4, just got home, and I am exhausted.
Wouldn't undo the party, but the work, maybe.
Also, thanks to pseudacris for buying my burger!
2010-12-21 22:58:18
yeah i am also tired. didn't get home until 12:30. totally worth it. good to see people. i was a little too into trivia and probably should have socialized more (yay Chris Pollack's Buttplugs!). i should have taken pictures. lots of people there. i hope someone did take pictures.
2010-12-21 23:53:29
Im bummed I missed it. I'm going to eventually make it to one of these events.
2010-12-22 00:02:14
¡ Burrito burrito burrito, chimichanga taco burrito gordita ! Ok?
2010-12-22 00:07:28
Hey RF I'm with you. I had to get up super early today so I only got 3 hours of sleep. I was still drunk when I awoke... ehhh....
But I didn't vom like promised! Sorry to disappoint ya Tricia!
2010-12-22 00:35:25
It was great getting to know some people
...understatement...
2010-12-22 01:31:08
oh no you di'n't!!!
(i had the same thought)
2010-12-22 01:49:10
Hey, a special thanks to BikeyGirl for suggesting the gathering in the first place, and to Lilly or ? Who morphed it into a fundraiser for Nathan.
2010-12-22 02:46:40
"Also, thanks to pseudacris for buying my burger!"
second that!
I kind of felt like I was on a blind date for a minute. Nice job to all who helped make it a fundraiser! I think it was a nice event besides the fundraiser also. Maybe we can make it a more regular thing?
2010-12-22 03:09:01
f*** cpollack's buttplugs
2010-12-22 06:26:54
Maybe we can make it a more regular thing?
I'd definitely come again. Although, Mondays are good for me; most nights aren't.
I went to the annual fundraiser in August, which was dazzling, but not something where you'd get to know anybody. I like the idea of meet-ups, and OTB is a no-brainer.
2010-12-22 07:08:38
haha todd. you can be on our team again next time. chris pollack's anal warts is gonna be the team name next time.
2010-12-22 10:55:48
Obviously he should wash the butt plugs more. Also there are at least 5-10 of us there every Monday night. Anyone and everyone is more than welcome to join us there!
2010-12-22 14:04:33
Obviously he should wash the butt plugs more.
High on the list of "phrases I never expected to see on the board."
And $DEITY help whoever reads that, followed by Anyone and everyone is more than welcome to join us there!, without the prior context...
2010-12-22 14:14:42
So I take it that cpollack's buttplugs won the trivia contest?
I was on team Fire Away, but both of us left after the drawing. We were in 2nd place at that point, but both needed to get home.
2010-12-22 16:14:46
What's that salty, are you unhappy with our team's third place finish for trivia? Fine, I didn't want you on my team anyway. Next week the butt plugs are going down, in a sense anyway.
It was very nice to meet and talk with some of you and I look forward to more gatherings!
Hope everyone enjoyed the cookies and brownies I brought. Thanks for eating them and preventing me from overdosing on chocolate this week.
2010-12-22 16:37:49
is this chris'
2010-12-22 17:08:57
is this chris'
Has it been washed? If so, probably not.
2010-12-22 17:43:08
....understatement....
oh geeze, poor choice of words...
Thanks for not barfing on me Noah...it's much appreciated.
dwillen, you are a champion drinker...you had what, 5 of those 10% Duck Rabbits??
2010-12-22 20:02:19
I think it was 4, but they were those tiny glasses. "champion drinker" isn't really a reputation I'd like to have, so I better take it easy next Monday. I will say that I didn't feel at the top of my game yesterday.
2010-12-22 20:06:58
Haha, Dan, did you see any orange signs on your way home?
2010-12-22 20:25:58
I did, but I didn't have nearly enough Duck Rabbits to call those out.
You should upload that video to youtube!
2010-12-22 20:37:18
Kayla, did I actually meet you, or did I just wear your name tag for much of the time?
The musical name tags was probably my favorite part of the evening... check out this picture:
2010-12-22 22:27:00
oh man, those name tags saved me from going home within 20 minutes of arriving. I was too shy to talk to anyone, and finally asked for a nametag, and then people kind of knew who I was. I think the trash can at e carson and 2rd is wearing my name tag, or at least was when I caught a bus there.
2010-12-22 22:36:56
I thought the name tags were great. I got to meet people that I otherwise would not have met. I saw RF, for example but didn't get a chance to sit with her.
The tag switching? I suppose if you want to separate the group into an in-group and a not-so-in group, it's really cool.
2010-12-22 22:55:04
dwillen, multiple personalities?
2010-12-22 23:21:57
great shot. sums up the evening quite tidily.
2010-12-22 23:22:58
Mick, that was a couple hours and a few beers into it, so we got to know who everyone was before it all went haywire. I was glad for them too, I'm pretty horrible at names and such. And I did get to meet Kayla, I just also have a horrible short term memory.
(ps dwillen, didn't mean to suggest you were a lush or anything... I do appreciate your taste for good beer! - even though I'm not a fan of the hoppy stuff myself)
2010-12-23 00:52:12
Dan, I would, but the star of the video might not be too happy about it!
Tricia--I was wearing Chris Pollack's nametag most of the night, I think. I was not, however, the buttplug trivia team's namesake!
2010-12-23 01:05:56
"So, I'm a curious one, obviously a phenomenal night out as eric said, what do you suppose it was that got everyone to leave their warm sofas en masse?
Obviously the opportunity to help the guy who got banged brought people out.
Synergy between the movie and OtB? That added to it for me.
The holiday season, people just more ready to party?
Time of the week? (Monday, really?)
The full moon?
I'm thinking on this for future events."
For me, when I read about the meet up I thought, maybe I will go. I mean I read the board everyday, have not posted much but I do read every post. I have not been on many rides but I have seen a few of the members when I am out and about and in a strange way feel that I know them even tho we have never met so it would be fun to actually meet some of the people I have "talked" with on here.
Those thoughts led me to thinking, yeah but its on a Monday? and back to the fact that I'm on the shy side....Monday? Really? Its cold outside. Ugh, Monday.
I pretty much made my mind up that I was not going to go just like I don't go on rides or other meet up's etc..even tho I would love to. I think it is just me being lazy for no good reason. On the other hand I have been thinking about stepping up and actually doing more things instead of just reading about them. I want to be more active in the Pittsburgh biking community and in biking in general.
But its Monday? Oh good grief.
Saturday morning I did my normal thing, drinking my first cup of coffee and reading the board when I saw that it was not only going to be a meet up but a benefit for Nate, thats when the light bulb came on. Its time for me to get off my ass!
To me there was no better time or reason to start, helping a fellow biker.
So that was my long ramble about why I came out and had a blast even tho my shy side was in full effect...hahha. I WILL be out more and ride more this year!!
@edmonds59 I didn't even see you there! FYI There is already talk of another rat rod ride in the spring.
2010-12-23 01:45:09
racedoug-
have we met? I'm thinking yes?
2010-12-23 01:48:46
Mick, I started the name tag switching just to make you and the other not-so-in group feel not-so-in.... 
2010-12-23 02:01:56
I feel bad saying it but I don't think so, like I said I have not been on many rides.
hmmm let me think, I did the pedal pittsburgh ride(just the short one), went to the Lost Cyclist book signing, I was a vendor at the I Made it Market a few weeks ago, maybe we met at one of those?
Now that I am off my ass tho if we have not met I'm sure we will!!!
2010-12-23 02:04:31
Racedoug, I know, I saw your comments and realized I hadn't seen you! I didn't circulate much, I was too busy downing burger.
I need to post a pic of something I was working on
2010-12-23 03:09:25
okay racedoug i for some reason thought you were someone else - either way yes i'm sure we'll be on the same ride at some time. do say hi.
and ah, bill, sorry for dropping so many f-bombs around the youngin'...
2010-12-23 03:59:39
Sheeeeesh, i'm glad i checked back into this thread and seen that it steered back away from our awful team name..haha.
2010-12-23 05:33:20
Name-tag switching was the bomb! But I I would like to add that it was I who started the name-tag misinformation!! 
How many 'BikeGirls' were there at the end of the night?
@Dan: Haha! You were pretty happy-toasted when I left! @Miasme -don't sell EEB growlers to Dan down at the brewery if you see him!! @Noah looked like he was about to explode from food, @Tricia, Steph & Sarah were the most poised and coherent ladies, @Edmonds -for some reason you & your son looked rather confused to me(?) Perhaps it was 'cause of watching the Tron movie previously?, @Nick I just heard ninja this & that, and @Stu looked rather cold when he got there!!!
@Swalfort : great meeting & talking to you! I think that at that point of the night things were rather chaotic and too many jokes & good conversations were going on
Who else did I see? Rsprake, CBurch's red beard, Kayla, Ejewme, Salty, Joe, Caitlin, Cpollack, DanC TD, Everhart, Sloaps.... hrm, and plenty of other people who I remember their faces from FOC and other rides, but who I don't know their names.
Now, may I mention that the only usual faces that were not there were Steph-hoop girl, Molly, & RobC --blame the lack of photos on Rob, unofficial FOC photographer, not being there!
Lastly, THANK YOU LOLLY for all the last minute coordination you had to do for the raffle & charity in Nathan's support. I know you were looking for a non-working night, but for what is worth, you were AMAIZING at how everything went well!!
And also, THANK YOU OTB for tapping that secret stash of EEB Pedal Pale Alle!!! It was delicious!! --I happened to have the first pint of it for the night, and it sure brought back Summer memories
Thank you everyone - Thank you BikePgh!!! AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! May more collaborative & great events may come in the 2011 year!!!
(sorry if I sound cheesy but biking in Pittsburgh & meeting fellow cyclists was one of the highlights for me this year
2010-12-23 11:22:32
Noah, no big deal, you should hear his mother! :}
just kidding honey.
2010-12-23 11:37:31
edmonds59, I can't wait to see what you are working on!!!!!
I picked up a 59' JC Higgins that I'm workin on for the rat rides.
2010-12-23 15:18:47
Yeah, Rob's camera was conspicously absent. Probably for the better...
Also missed other Chris and Charles... I'm pretty sure they're out of town.
2010-12-23 15:23:47
Bikey, wasn't confusion, we had just seen the Life Cycles movie, and in my head I was still imagining myself bombing off jumps in slow motion in the deep, deep woods. Awesome.
racedoug, just an old non-antique Target Huffy bucket I'm fiddling with:
Didn't see Diamondbacklover, either, where was that man?
2010-12-23 15:47:58
NICE APES!!! Where did you find them?
Yeah I was hoping to meet him too, I read his blog all the time.
2010-12-23 15:51:57
Kraynick's. Found out that re-cabling a twist shifter is a PITA, also.
2010-12-23 15:53:42
Sweet. You could have made it a stick shift like those old 20" schwinns
2010-12-23 15:58:01
Yep, had one, it had occurred to me.
2010-12-23 16:07:25
Speaking of bombing off jumps....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwTkaLD-rPU
2010-12-23 16:39:31
Anytime you or your kids want to give downhill a try let me know and I'll be happy to show you around seven springs. Its a great place to start out and practice.
2010-12-24 01:13:24
I'm chiming in late here, but wanted to say I had a fine time meeting some of the "faces behind the gravatars." I won a raffle item - woo! It enabled me to buy delicious OTB burgers for myself, bikelove + rubberfactory. I still have enough left over for one good (or 2 cheap) beer(s). This is a fun bunch of people!
2010-12-24 01:38:52