Sunday December 9th, 4:30 PM starting at 2100 Wightman street angling around about 6 miles, ending in Schenley Plaza for the big menorah lighting and Chanukah festivities.
More details of the route and event here: http://www.chabadpgh.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/590860/jewish/Menorah-Parade-and-Lighting.htm
We're doing the same route as the cars right after the cars pass, with the one exception that we're just going straight east from 2100 Wightman to Murray along Hobart to avoid holding up traffic on Murray and be more beginner friendly.
If you can't do bike+menorah, bike+dressing as a Chanukah character also works. Should be a lot of fun.
I had no idea there was such a thing as a Chanukah character?
Anyway, my boss usually drives in the parade with a menorah on top of his car. I have always been interested in watching this parade, though I usually forget to find out where it is and when.
Oh, very cool. If I can figure out a menorah, I'm in!
@byogman, just double-checking...it's okay for those who aren't religious to help celebrate by taking part in the parade?
Please, no, nobody is going to be offended if you show up and aren't religious, it's a community event. The only way to make this awkward would be to show up in a Santa suit.
And again, if you can't figure out the menorah, just dressing the part is quite good enough. More on the story from the source of all knowledge.
In terms of character dress, there's an evil king, a warrior (with skullcap of course), and a (Jewish) priest as the most recognizable characters, and if for a female role, Yehudit is pretty awesome/scary.
And yes, it will be cold, but it's a short ride with a heated tent and hot latkes (hash browns, more or less) at the end.
Excellent--I'm excited! And yummy latkes too!
This sounds like fun. Make sure you "top" the thread as we get close - I tend to forget stuff...
And there's FooD at the end, yum!
Fun fact (kinda OT): this time of year, patients often wish me a happy Chanukah. As far as I know, I have no Jewish ancestry.
I'm in. Handlebar Hannukah. got to go out and buy a menorah and start my feeble battery-pack wiring skills.
So I count 3 possible riders from this list in less than half a day. That's great.
The challenging part, of course, is mounting the menorah on the bike. Thinking of putting together a little mailing list for sharing ideas/war stories.
Can everyone who might be interested in this PM me and share a regular email contact?
Helmet mounted Menorah might be easier
You could use string between helmet air vents and wrap it between the candle arches
I'm in. Please let me know of any other "faux pas" that could offend (like the Santa suit thing). Are colored lights on the bike ok? I recently clipped red and green little spoke lights on, but they come off easily if you think they're inappropriate.
Any idea where to pick up an appropriate battery powered Menorah?
this makes me so happy that it's happening. i've been wondering if anyone was going to do this for years. if you need some more promotion, let me know, and i can put it on the bikepgh blog/facebook too
In terms of faux pas, just avoid the overly christmassy and you're fine, really.
Colored lights are fine, especially if they're blue and white (as opposed to red/green). And if you can get a menorah going, too, I think you're cool no matter what.
Battery powered menorah, I'm guessing you can grab one at Pinskers. There's (just) enough time to order if you do it now.
Right now I'm leaning toward a fake menorah made of whatever plus bike lights. Maybe we could re-stock the pool for a bike safety program that way or something.
I'm surprised that this is something that's been thought of before. Absence of results from bike + menorah and all. Absolutely let's promote it. The more riders the more fun this is.
EL wired Jewish Stars in wheels would be great
well, you know it's a natural thing to think about. you see the Menorahs on a huge line of cars here, and it's like, that's cool - would be cooler on bikes 
I'm probably game for this. There are a lot of battery and solar powered lights at Target, including some off-the-shelf menorahs of various sizes. I think it will be fun to make one and figure out how to get it on the bike. Can we just post our experiments here instead of a separate email list? There are also battery powered tea lights that fake flicker like candles...those could be affixed to all manner of things.
@ byogman: do you think the cars will be willing to keep a bike pace along 5th ave?
Also, if anyone has a spare trail a bike, you could make a HUGE one. Just sayin'...
Erok, you apparently think a lot like I do.
For doing the discussion here, would work for the folks here, not as much for the folks I'm trying to rope in from the religious community.
On the question of pacing along 5th, I'm sure we'd be enough slower than regular car traffic pace to annoy some people, but there are lanes and they can get around easily enough.
We'd also be following a long trail of cars with menorahs that are also parading around slower than the regular traffic. Don't know if we'd keep up with them, but I do think there's safety in light and numbers if we can build that up.
One of the ideas I've kicked around to make this more novice friendly is trying to get someone in a car to screen us from the rear, carry supplies and bike rack. Anyone want to volunteer?
This is a YouTube video of the 2007 car menorah parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7-iEygh70E
The pace looks OK, and they have a police car bringing up the rear.
I will be posting pics of version 1 (the backup plan, car menorah isn't available yet) tomorrow hopefully.
Regular bike rear light + 8 of these http://nathansports.com/our-products/reflectiveled/essential-accessories/led-safety-strobe, clipped onto foil covered cardboard cut to menorah shape, backed by a cheap structure of small plywood fragments (which I still need to get glue for and clamp together, hence nothing just yet).
This is on, people! And believe me, can't get much more amateurish than what I've got, so don't fear looking homemade. Share your rig as you get it together.
If you have a car menorah already and it's powered through the cigarette lighter, there are cigarette lighter kits at the autozone in wilkinsburg cheap and the guy I talked to on the phone, Shannon had some ideas in terms of getting it connected and powered with what they have there.
OK, so here's the picture.
Don't know if the url is stable so album link follows.
oh, that's awesome.
Nicely done! How is it actually attached to the bike?
Did you make some kind of wooden "L" shape that's tied to the rack?
I'm glad you posted this because I've been thinking about how to make the individual arms sturdy enough and you've done away with that problem entirely by focusing on the "flames."
The plywood is basically an L with another piece stood up vertical and against the vertical part of the L.
Awkward to clamp in two directions since I don't have a workbench or small clamps, only long ones and my dining room table, but managed well enough to get things steady. Finished off with a couple nails, since I didn't trust the glue by itself. Given how shoddily it was made (not a right angle to be found), it seems decently strong.
Bravo!
There must be some political signs floating around still, made of corrugated plastic, that would be rigid enough to do the job and light enough not to be burdensome.
Nice job, byogman! Very crafty!
Stu, I love the idea of turning political litter onto these on multiple levels, thanks for contributing.
All watching this thread, can I get a rough count of who's doing this? Happy to share tools, etc... if you can swing by my place.
I'm still planning on it.
I'm 90% in.
I am there. I have a notion for a Menorah, although now having seen your (excellent) work I think a bit less of mine.
Unless the weather does a 180 and driving to town looks dicey I'm planning to participate. I have the blue frame light on the bike and working on my menorah.
Thanks for the responses guys! Let me know if there's any way I can help. And to anyone that's still not sure about getting a menorah on, you can just google the Chanukah story and go in character.
Vannever, if you saw the other side of my rig you'd get a pretty clear idea how hacked together mine is. Narry a right angle in sight. If you can get a menorah on bike, it's awesome, period.
By the way, our little thread is now top result for bike menorah. First victory in hand! Now we just need to do the ride and get some pictures from it!
Here's a link for an electric Menorah:http://www.partycity.com/product/electric+menorah.do?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=ProductSearch&utm_campaign=GoogleMerchant&extcmp=GoogleMerchant&gclid=CKrQzsLt-rMCFQyk4AoduikA2Q
Battery powered:http://www.tjssc.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=2938&affiliateid=10050&gclid=CPvlv8Tu-rMCFQqe4AodrzQAlg
Hi Val, second link was blocked by my Norton-ware. For battery powered menorah, I did quickly find this http://www.judaism.com/display.asp?nt=DH&keyword=led%20menorah&etn=BACEJ.
For those that don't know, Pinskers in squirrel hill and this site are run by the same guy, so you may be able to find this in the store. Worth a call.
The party city link looks good for regular electric menorahs. One of my thoughts at one point was that + computer UPS (had been thinking of buying one anyway). A bit heavy, but it's something I could use anyway, just wasn't sure about how well the batteries would do if it were really cold.
Generally, other than Pinskers, I really have no clue of the retail options, you could call synagogues and see what they have in their gift shop. Or order online and have them rush it. Or, totally DIY menorah as I've done... there's a good number of places where you can get the lights.
I went to Target and Lowes and a craft store (Micheal's, possibly?) and there was bupkiss in the way of menorah.
I had just received a gift of ten tiny clear lights with a battery pack for the recent Flock LightUp Night Ride (from srpit who bought them at CostCo), I've also seen them at Lowe's where they're Item #: 258315 and Model #: BO-10LC for $3.00. It's ten white lights on a string, and the project calls for nine so I'm stashing one out of sight.
So my first bad idea was to build a candelabra out of PVC pipe, I have a bunch of that in my basement from my son's DIY marshmellow-gun period, but it seemed inelegant and a bit too much like plumbing.
Inspired by Stu's comment earlier, I broke out some coraplast that I'd glommed when Long John Silver's was swapping out their marketing materials, and ended up with this:
Front view:
Rear view:
I think I'm going to mount it on the platform of my front rack, parallel to the handlebars and perpendicular to the bike's movement. With the battery pack in the center and secured by the zip-ties, the weight would be supported by the rack.
That's awesome! Much more like an actual menorah than mine.
thanks, byogman, you're very kind. It looks like a 3rd-grader's school project, which is about my level but I think it'll work for the ride. As often happens, I got the lights from srpit, I got the coraplast idea from Stu, and I got the inspiration for the shape from your example.
I think my contribution consists of 213 zip-ties and not cutting off my finger and bleeding all over the thing. But I do love a scrounge project.
-How did you cut the coraplast, if you don't mind me asking?
-Target stocks stuff a little bit differently in the E Liberty store: they definitely had some themed lights in that store....a small section next to all the Christmas lights as of last week.
To bend the coraplast (between the vertical and horizontal surfaces) I first cut a faint line into the surface on the outside of the bend using a one-sided razor blade, just enough to break the surface so it can give a bit to fold.
Then I scored the inside of the fold by dragging the tip of a screwdriver along the intended line, just to pre-crease it where I want it to fold.
To cut the coraplast I used the one-sided razor blade, and when I needed to I used a normal pocket-knife blade. For poking the holes for the zip-ties, I used a 1/4inch knife blade.
The concern is, it's just too easy to slice your fingers while you are exerting some force.
The great thing about coraplast is that it somehow seems to grow along the side of the road. So you try a to bend and cut a small sheet, and if it goes wrong you throw it out and go harvest another sign for "we buy ugly homes".
Very nice! I have utility knives & Xactoblades and some translucent coroplast laying around, so may give that a whirl.
I'm planning on having a little design / fabrication get together at my house at the western edge of squirrel hill tomorrow, let's say at 1:00 pm going however long need be. I will be distracted because I have the kids, and this will be a refreshment/entertainment free party, but I still think it might be useful to get folks together and that my home is a good central location for this.
So, if you want to come, bring as much in the way of tools / supplies you'll think you need so everyone can work in parallel as much as possible. I do have a circular saw, drill, some hammers, wood glue, and a very few clamps to lend as needed.
PM me for the address, I will be out between roughly 9:30 and, best guess, 11:30 but should be moderately responsive otherwise.
I think the new super-low price entry point is pretty huge. Could definitely help draw in more people.
An aside, coraplast is a super neat material, but if someone can't scrounge it I think maybe you could do ok with something even more basic?
I have cardboard at my house... lots and lots of cardboard (never got rid of the boxes from the move well over a year ago).
Granted, it has drawbacks. Not nearly as sturdy and you need to put something between the lights and the cardboard to deal with heat... like aluminum foil perhaps, of which I also have plenty at home.
You also need help on making a rigid 90 degree angle, for which I have 2 X 2s leftover from sukkot that could easily/quickly be crosscut and nailed/screwed into (please bring your own nails/screws, I go through a lot and am about out).
Anyways, just trying to add to the catalog of cheap ideas. I don't think anyone need fear the project anymore.
Hot glue guns are *great* for quickly tacking together pieces of cardboard. The hot glue might melt coroplast, though (haven't tried that combo).
Hot glue melting coraplast might be a good thing. Thinking about the idea of a soldering iron, what you're doing in essence there is making a bit of molten metal to join two surfaces into one. Only in this case the melting point is a bit lower.
Note: I haven't tried this, but the concept seems workable. And as byogman says, if you have to scrap it, the only loss is time, not materials.
Realizing now that when I posted about the design / fabrication "party" at my house tomorrow was (actually rather substantially) past midnight.
To be clear that's, Sunday December 2nd, 1pm. PM me and I'll send you my address.
Byogman, I'm unable to make the fab-party, but I really appreciate the offer and your hospitality.
Vannevar's display looks really good. Got to see it today. BTW - I actually picked up those battery powered lights at Pat Catans. There's one in McKees Rocks and one in Beaver County by Green Garden Plaza if I'm not mistaken. They were quite cheap, but you need to get two C batteries (not included).
Thanks. Here's a picture from today, I thought I'd see how it looked on the bike, sitting on the platform on the front rack.
@V, I think you have a small section of bike showing.
also there's smidgen too much rear wheel visible.
I wonder if I could get a Steelers skirt guard for the rear wheel. NTTAWWT. (btw well played guys)
Just talked to the folks at Pinksers.
So, an FYI, there's a tiny little blink/toy Menorah at Pinkers that probably would be reasonably easy to strap to a helmet, selling for about 12$ (14$, but 15% off). The guy told me there were 3 left.
If you don't have a bike rack and you're not feeling up to a project, it may be just the ticket.
Also, other, more conventional battery powered menorahs are there starting around 35$.
So, we've got an example of this to share (I talked to Pinskers after he left so there are 3 left as of now to the best of my knowledge). It's really fun seeing these, keep it up guys!
And again the album link if the image links are unstable:
He's kindly offered his contact info to me to share with anyone going for the same approach, so PM me if you want it. Here are his instructions:
Instructions:
Depending on manual dexterity, it should take 5-10 minutes to attach. It's called Rite Light Blinking Menorah, which I bought at Pinskers for around 10 or 12 bucks. The lights blink alternately lifting up half at a time and someone all of it.
I used 8 and 11 inch cable ties. Put one horizontally around the Menorah between the base and the candles. This provides a place to attach the ties to the menorah and run them through two openings on the helmet. Don't fully tighten the ties until all are on place. With only 3 ties (one around the Menorah and 2 to attach to the helmet, it was secure. I put one 11 inch diagonally around the base to be sure. Amusingly, it has a suction cup on a nylon string for hanging it. I squeezed this through a vent so the nylon string provides a stabilizer support (not needed but a cute engineering refinement).
OK, here's my attempt. I decided to go for a backpack mount instead of bike/helmet options.
View in a dark room without using the flash:
I'm not sure how much I trust the hot glue on a bike ride in the elements, so I may run a strip of clear packing tape around the whole shebang once or twice for insurance. I wouldn't like that look close up, but at night and from a few feet away I don't think you'd see the tape.
What are all y'uns using for lighting and power source?
Hi Stu!
For about $3, Costo, Lowes, Target all sell varying versions of this:
It takes two C-cells, not included, and has ten lights. The Target version I saw had colored lights, the CostCo and the Lowes Hardware (Item #258315) had white lights.
Looks great! I love that everyone has their own take on this project. The variety will make for a great photo op.
(And so nobody misunderstands, if you don't have yours together yet and are feeling unsure, please don't take me to mean that I think copying is bad, the more designs get out there the harder it will be to avoid. The more menorahs the better, period.)
Please correct me if I'm wrong, Byogman, but even those unable to get/construct a menorah can join the ride - correct? I imagine that some folks might not have the "crafty" gene and others just might not have the time to put something together.
Would multi-colored spoke lights be appropriate or not?
Stu - the lights on my menorah are from Pat Catans in McKees Rocks.
yeah, i'd love to join the ride, but i don't think i'm going to be able to get a lightshow set up.
(also, i'm generally opposed to spending money on once-a-year things like this, especially since i move so often I'm likely to lose it before i get to use it again...)
You can absolutely join the ride without a menorah, please come. A short sword or dagger made of anything, even if it's just cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil is enough to go as a Maccabee.
Bonus points for any women joining the ride if they have a wine cup referencing Yehudit.
I plan on fabricating some daggers tomorrow night as a nudge for some of the folks I know in the squirrel hill community that are on the fence about this and pass them out directly at Schul. If you want one too, let me know, but it will probably be more convenient for you to make.
They will look like a second grader did them because I plan to get a second grader (my daughter) to do them, but she did my menorah so hey, and this is all in good fun.
As for light on the bike, multi-colored is fine. The only thing I would avoid is something that's red and green only.
We're definitely hoping for non-accessoried riders to come out. It would be great to have a pack of cyclists. (almost said, a flock of.. )
And while our hosts may offer bonus points for riders that refer to Yehudit (which is a way-cool story btw),
I'm thinking that Nuclear Cross-Niche MondoPoints™ might go out to anybody invoking the concept of Yehudit Moon
Finals week may foil my plans, but I'm hoping to come to this. I don't know if I can get a menorah going in time, but a Yehudit reference is definitely doable.
Also, byogman, just wanna say this was an awesome idea and I am super-glad you were willing and able to organize it. I hope it becomes a tradition 
I hope to make it a tradition, and I hope finals are kind enough to allow a little break and a short ride for you (and anyone else you can think of that's worth asking
Remember, short ride, silly fun, heated tent and latkes at the end!
Oh, man, I forgot about latkes. Latkes > school, always
hmm, tempting to be part of the parade fun, but i'll have to hustle as a i leave work @ 4pm on the northside. but as i am heading to oakland anyways, i could probably catch up en route.
Most of the route is in Oakland going west on fifth before doubling back along Forbes.
We should be pretty easy to catch up with along the way and VERY easy to spot.
Details:
http://www.chabadpgh.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/590860/jewish/Menorah-Parade-and-Lighting.htm
We're doing the same route as the cars right after the cars pass, with the one exception that we're just going straight east from 2100 Wightman to Murray along Hobart to avoid holding up traffic on Murray and be more beginner friendly.
I'll be there with my last-minute menorah!
In case it's of any use, I thought I'd mention a bit of logistics.
Coming in from the Land Beyond IKEA, and having just learned there's a Steelers home game Sunday @1300, I'm probably parking my car at either the Bastille or the Birmingham Bridge and then riding to the parade start, so that when the parade concludes it's an easy Jail Trail jaunt to the car and out beyond the Pale.
and FWIW-PS, menorahs and/or accessories are not required. Got a bike? Come join the ride.
Pseudacris, look forward to the last minute menorah!
If someone wants to park closer to the ride, it being a Sunday you may do ok right near the parade end in Oakland. I think it's all free on Sundays.
If things look full there, and full when you go past Phipps, my recommendation would be continue in the same direction to Anderson Playground (dinosaur park on google maps) in Schenley Park.
Pretty decent amount of parking, all free, 1.3 miles from there to the start in squirrel hill, .7 miles from the end. Not bad considering that start and end are almost 2 miles apart anyway.
Two minor stinkers.
First, Panther hollow is a 35 limit road, with much higher speed drivers so the safe direct route to the start is a climb on sidewalk until things level out on Hobart (but the sidewalk is mostly very good).
Second, that the playground, if you can imagine this, is next to a $%^&*ing interchange. (That's how you'd know you missed the playground on the right hand side. Be the exception, drive slowlyPseudacris). Not a highway-ish one, and I seriously doubt it would be an issue at a random afternoon hour on a Sunday, but please watchful starting out nonetheless.
I bike between my home (east of Frick Park) and Sq Hill/Schenley Plaza often, so I'll be fine. All the buses have bike racks, too, and the 61A,B,C all go within a few blocks of the start & finish.
Do you think there will be a lot of kids or cyclists not comfortable riding city streets or hills? If so, I could suggest an alternate route that would start & end in the same spots as the cars.
It's a very flat route for Pittsburgh, the only real work is getting back to squirrel hill after parade is over.
But I don't think we're getting anyone who doesn't already ride in streets this year.
Next year I hope to.
@Vannevar: did you say "good morning" to me on liberty ave today at about 1100? i thought i maybe recognized your bike by how little of it i could see.
I won't be at the parade, but I just wanted to say how great this is. It really shows how having a community of cyclists that can connect can make a big difference. Imagine, years ago, one cyclist joining this parade with a home-made menorah. Amusing, cranky, whatever. But you're going to have five, ten, who knows how many cyclists joining the parade, with menorahs, and lots of people will notice. Some will change their minds about cyclists and treat them more kindly the next time they see them on the streets. And it will have happened because someone had a creative idea and took action on it, and others were interested in it and took part. This is the kind of bike advocacy that changes minds and helps make Pittsburgh a better place for cyclists -- as well as being a lot of fun.
@HiddenVariable, that could have been me, I was in that area at that time. Sorry to miss the chance to say hello face-to-face.
If you'd like a photo to confirm that it was Myself, here's a recent sketch:
Peace Out, VB
jonawebb, your comments appreciated. I expect a small but spirited group. Every rider matters here.
The forecast is mid 50s (yay!) and 60% chance of rain (ok, not so yay). I'm going to be there. Those I've talked to so far will be there, too.
In case you're on the fence about doing a ride in the rain for fun, a quick reminder on the length of the route (just under 6 miles), and the heated tent and latkes at the end. Also, ridiculousness=fun and there rain adds, not subtracts.
And it's a little more than just the fun.
First, it's a very public display of drivers and bicyclists celebrating together.
Next, it's the festival of lights... how better to emphasize light's role in safety during this darkest time of the year?
Finally, because this is something related to biking that we, as Pittsburghers, are claiming first. We rock, now let's just go out there and rock hard.
¡!¡!--BIKE MENORAH CONSTRUCTION UPDATE--!¡!¡
I had to change a roll of paper on a printer at work this week and realized the inner core was a translucent coroplast tube of just the right diameter: SCORE!
Borrowed a fine-toothed japanese style saw and hand-cut the core down into little candle holders. No miter box, so they lean a bit (just pretend it's an Eva Hesse-inspired design!)
I splurged on a set of battery-powered tea lights because I want the flickering candle effect. In the strip district I was able to get a pack of plastic cups for $2. These will be the rain covers.
Found the perfect-sized piece of scrap wood in the basement and gave it a coat of leftover primer. I'll also drill drainage holes in the wood and a couple of extra holes so that I can affix this to my rear rack with cable ties.
I'll glue the coroplast tubes to the wood either with a hot glue gun or leftover caulk.
Still figuring out how to prevent the candles from bouncing out. I don't want to glue them down because I need access to the switch and battery compartment on each candle. Museum Wax would be perfect, but I'm out.
I'm thinking about adding blue glitter on the rim of the tubes…dipping in in white glue then in glitter the way you'd put salt on the rim of a martini glass. Not sure yet…may stick with a clean modern look.
[edit] - there will be nine candles total, with the middle one being a bit taller
@Pseuda: how about small pieces of stick-on Velcro to secure the candles?
Great idea & I think I already have some. See! This is why one should never_throw_anything_away.
Thanks, @reddan!
Awesome job, Pseudacris! Can't wait to see that in person.
+1 Pseudacris! My first two thoughts were: (1) Menorah-Mania, truly excellent work!! and (2) Coraplast comes in cylinders?? Major implications for pannier organization.
Really looking forward to Sunday's ride.
Who invited Pseudacris? She's making everyone else look bad! :p
Fantastic!
Drewbacca, there's no way to come and look bad. Goofy? Well, sure, but we all will. Got a dagger for you if you want.
Not sure if I'll make it or not, but will definitely wear a dagger if I do!
Just a bump FWIW, this happens TODAY, Sunday 12/09 at 1630.
Sunday December 9th, 4:30 PM starting at 2100 Wightman street angling around about 6 miles, ending in Schenley Plaza for the big menorah lighting and Chanukah festivities.
More details of the route and event here: http://www.chabadpgh.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/590860/jewish/Menorah-Parade-and-Lighting.htm
hope to see yinz there.
Just a minor note, we will cut the climbing on murray to a minimum by cutting straight over on hobart, otherwise same route as the cars. Will be a beginner friendly ride. My wife will be shielding us by car from behind. In case anyone had fifth or forbes riding anxiety.
I hope this is waterproof
Neat! I might try to come out for this!
nicely done, marko!
Great job Marko!
Anyone on the fence about coming out, please do, I have a dagger for you if you want to ride as a Maccabee.
Also (unpictured), we've got another rider with the menorah helmet. My oldest daughter.
She's 7, so she'll ride in the car until Schenley Plaza, but as long as it's not too wet and soggy I'm sure we could all do a very slow ride on some path or sidewalk around there, let her feel a part of something she helped create.
Did I mention? She helped with the design tracing and foiling of both my menorah and all the daggers.
Made it as far as Oakland, then picked up a stone on Schenley Bridge. Not flat yet, but it will be...
Got tied up at a family function... looking forward to some photo evidence of the event!
Mazel tov, Byogman! Congratulations on a successful first, annual, menorah, bike ride. Nice turnout for a drizzly Steelers game day. Fun event. Happy Chanukah!
I think we had twelve riders? Hard to tell since we picked a few up en route. And if you can beleive this, I think it was slower than a flock ride.
Byogman, thanks for coordinating and it was nice to meet you. Happy Chanukah!
That was an awesome ride. Fun bicyclists, the lights were kicky (and you all did really well, very impressive) but what made it remarkable to me was the Community Response, for lack of a better term.
People seemed to know about menorah parades but were surprised to see a bike contingent, and they all responded to it as a positive. People waving, taking pictures, calling "happy holidays". It was pretty neat.
Byogman, thanks for setting this up, you really did a nice job. And the older men I got to speak to at the car mustering point were all very kind, so you did a good job of communicating the intent - Bravo Zulu!
There was a P-G photographer at the start, and a lot of pictures taken along the route, maybe we'll see some online in a few hours.
I hope we can do this again next year.
Thanks everyone for coming and making the first annual joint car/bike menorah parade a success.
I think next year, hopefully without rain in the forecast, most advance notice, and (hopefully) some official ok, we be able to bring the numbers up quite a bit.
It was a tough pace, hard to go that slow on two wheels behind all those pesky lumbering cars, but we managed! I think we can safely advertise this as an easy ride for anyone. Stu, looking to see you next year on a unicycle!
Huge thanks to Vannevar and Marko screening intersections and making it clearer that yes, we're part of the parade, thank you (a couple impatient drivers as always). But as Vannever alluded, the community response was absolutely terrific.
My phone is in need of an SD card, so I have no pictures, but please everyone share theirs. Looking forward to the P-G photos and coverage, too. Thanks again everyone for making tonight a success.
I've got some family todos at the moment and haven't figured out my schedule, but circumstances permitting, will be doing some more recreational nighttime riding with the menorah during the holiday.
So if that sounds fun to anyone else, let me know and I'll announce when I'm riding. Also feel free to announce your own... these menorahs brought a lot of smiles tonight and deserve to be seen.
Glad i could make it and even gladder the rain stayed at bay while we were riding along.
Nice work by all who rode and especially to Byogman whom made it happen, glad to be able to share in your cultural tradition.
Happy Chanukah!
@Marko, oh yes, slower than a Flock ride, but then again, we don't have police escorts corking for us on Flock rides.
but i think i did set a new personal record for the amount & durations of trackstands on a single ride.
Thanks again for the open invitation and Happy Chanukah byogman! I enjoyed hearing the kids screaming from inside the mini vans and the filled donut.
Hey, for everyone thanking me, please be sure to thank vannevar. He got me thinking about this as a way to do what I couldn't with flock, did some great promotional work I had totally neglected, kept the thread going, got us going with the formal parade (much better) when I was on the fence about waiting for another couple riders (they caught up, no problem) AND got out there screening the intersections before I even thought of it. This couldn't have been a success without him and probably wouldn't have happened at all.
Thanks vannevar!
Thanks, Vannevar! (and apologies to all for being one of the late riders who had to catch-up!)
BYogman and Pseudacris, you're both over-kind, I was just one of a dozen out there. I really like riding with yinz and I had a blast.
Thanks to everybody, and I suppose especially to the leadership of the Chabad that allowed Ben to do such a crazy thing.
Also, a blogger was taking pictures of the bikes, she said she'd have them online Monday.
Modest Vannevar didn't mention his own post on this.
