It seems we have discussed a bike tour of the public pools a few times for bikefest but then it sorta fizzles. The idea is to ride from pool to pool, but the catch is that if you pay at one for one day, you have to pay at each.
The solution is a pool pass. You can team up with some others and buy a family pass (whether you are related or not) of 4 for $60... thats $15 each for swimming all year (you can go to oliver bathhouse in the winter.. i have never done this.) You add other 'family members' for $10 each. CHEAP.
So, I propose a bike fest pool tour this summer. And this is your warning! I will try to set it up so that we can have scheduled time at specific pools, and you can meet up and drop off at any time.
Is anyone else into this? I am being serious and I want it to happen this year! You KNOW you want to ride around with wet bathing suit pants.
We could stop at ice cream shops from pool to pool. We could end with a picnic! JUST IMAGINE.
I guess it could also be an alley cat but that seems a little complicated. Maybe someone who is into that can organize a race, and I'll just do the "fun ride" from pool to pool.
caitlin, that sounds absolutely awesome. I did some data entry for a CMU prof one year on pools, so I've heard of all the citiparks pools but don't know where any are other than schenley. I second the motion 
Hey, this could also be the chance for our "naked" ride. Combine events!
You KNOW you want to ride around with wet bathing suit pants.
There are some on the board that do this for fun.
Let's pick one of those scorching hot days in mid- to late-July. Aside from a quick splash-off before jumping in, we wouldn't even need a shower afterward. Just chill from the evaporation.
+1 Pierce, but pool personnel might not be too cool on the body-paint aspect of those rides.
Yes. Yes! YES!
This is the most fun idea I've seen for a long time.
Like!
haha awesome!
i want to do it during bikefest though (um, can i take a day off from work for this? ha)
also i believe that some other bike pgh-ers and i were talking about tour de ribs... um, anyone organizing the rib ride yet? where we go to like every rib guy in the city? get on that erok!
uh. i'm vegetarian
i swore you were part of that conversation anyway!
i know it was "the bike czar" lou and scott.. unless i had this conversation solely with city planning people.
i'd do a seitan rib ride
or maybe seitan wings.
maybe tomorrow, spak, look out
we are doing a flock to bbq ride next tuesday. leaving from dippy and riding around till we get to the bbq place on frankstown that the regular foc ride passed last week.
Erok, I'd join you on that Spak ride. I think he's the only seitan shop in town though.
nope, double wide also has plenty of seitan options.
Seitan options at Round Corner Cantina too!
EDIT.... call me naive, but the first time I had the Round Corner Cantina's seitan tacos, I though that 'seitan' was a 'new-way' of cooking meat.... as a full-blown carnivore, I was quite sad that seitan = no meat 
Must say, it tasted ok, but too chewy for me.... give me REAL carne asada instead marinated in beer and spices, NOW we're talking!
I did a "bike to a place, swim, then bike back" recently and all I can say is... C-H-A-F-E
YOW!
That's why you should wear a Speedo.
I think if we used water proof? paint, we could take the shower like they recommend, paint would still be intact, and they would be cool with it
I have my pool pass and think this sounds awesome. Lap swim at some of the pools is from 12-1 and 5-6. Should we incorporate some lap time into the schedule?
OTB has seitan wings too.
@ck Hell yeah we should, but we could probably only make it to like one or two pools on the tour during lap time
We should also try and wear our helmets in the pool, that would be cool
@ Seitan: I stand corrected and show my lack of local seitan knowledge
I will design the pool ride schedule to include lap time at the very least for the beginning! we can open with adult swim laps. i suck at laps though.
If we can make it through the whole thing we can end it at adult swim in another location.
glad so many are interested! I wil try to make this a sunday during bikefest, and i will post times to arrive at or leave each pool by so people can join or stop riding if they want. pretty casual.
i doubt wearing helmets in the pools will work out 
rib ride on tuesday: will try to make this!
I trained for this ride yesterday by going to the pool without a towel, swimming, and riding home totally wet.
Also, map of the city pools here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111158027743814370861.0004892c3ba6bd1ec9f3a&t=h&ll=40.445641,-79.963303&spn=0.153369,0.308647&z=12
We wont be going to all of them though.
PLEASE INCLUDE THE TROY HILL WATER PARK! ITS THE BEST THING.
Ho boy. Troy Hill. Will we all be getting there via Rialto?
@MARK: ARE YOU TYPING IN ALL CAPS SINCE IT'S THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF BILLY MAYS' PASSING?
Given the choice between riding a distance with a wet swimming suit or the extremely unpleasant process of putting on a cold wet suit?
I'll take the latter.
Mick
oh, I'd rather ride in a wet suit (but I'm a girl, different mechanics at work there).
People don't know about the troy hill water park because google maps doesn't show it (still has empty pool in the picture), and it's impossible to accidentally find one's way on to Troy Hill. I even looked for it once, couldn't find it. Well, I could see it, just not get up on to it. (was in a car, which I think just makes it worse)
I know there are several new water/spray parks. but uh, if im planning the ride i am not sure i want to take a route up a huge hill where i cant full submerge myself into a pool of water. sorry guys. riverview has a pool though.
I think this will work for me on Sunday 8/8. Pools dont stay open as late on sundays, but I work a lot of saturdays. Does this sound good for the enthused? I will actually consider steep hills to pools but I like to ride all leisurely from pool to pool. Any route suggestions before I take this thing into my own hands?
PS WE WILL STOP FOR SHAVED ICE AND OR ICECREAM
i could be talked into walking up rialto and meeting you at the spray park, ha.
I'll be jetlagged and feeling lazy, but I'd walk up Rialto with you, or not complain if you left it out Good call on the icecream/shaved ice, too.
what about getting up to troy hill the same way as the pedal pittsburgh route? it's not THAT horrible. if you can get up liberty, i think you'll be ok.
the troy hill water park is most conveniently reached by cruising nice and leisurely past the penn brewery and up voskamp... parking at the end and a short hike up the stairs! also just one block from voskamp parking spot there is a seal that sprays you... although thats not nearly as cool as the spray park! there is also a little mist machine in garland park in east liberty... i am only mentioning these little park misters because i like to ride through them in the summer on the way to places!
I WAS TYPING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I LOVE WATER PARKS!
here's a picture of the stairs with the old pool at the top:
I think I am going to make this Sunday the 15th....... not as much is scheduled for that day yet!
Any news on this? I saw it being August 8th on the BikeFest Calendar, is the rest of the route planned out besides meeting in Friendship?
There's a spray at the little park off Lincoln and Benton in Brighton Heights too. Marmaduke, I think? Stu knows the details. From there it's quick five minute downhill ride to the Chateau Trail.....
Labeled Marmaduke Playground, it's a cute little neighborhood playground tucked in off the major streets. In Street View you can actually see the sprayer working (on left, behind tree). Both playground and sprayer are very small. Also has water fountains for refilling camels, etc.
Also, are we the 8th or 15th? I'd be for the 15th.
This is the 8th.
Its going to be fairly casual and I am not sure if we will have time to hit spray parks.
Meet at friendship park.
Ride to Schenley Pool
Ride to Greenfield Pool
Stop at REI and get free stuff from Peter
Ride to South Side Pool
heres where it gets uncertain
Ride to North Side Pool?
Spray Park?
Rope Swing?
End at Polish Hill?
or
Ride to rope swing
Ride to Bloomfield pool
End at Polish Hill
of course rope swing cannot be enjoyed if it has rain recently.
pools are only open from 1-5:45 on Sundays, so our time is a bit limited.
Im going to say we should definitely go to the Troy Hill spray park.
Also, whats the deal with the 31st bridge these days? can you ride across it to get to river ave with no problems?
I'll look at the bike map, consider how much time we spend at each pool (20 min?) and post a more finalized route with times in a coupld days. good?
31sb to river ave is fine, it's only 28 you can't get to.
I pretty sure I'll be there, but I'm not a city resident. It appears that non-residents may buy a pass for $45. Does anyone know if the $4 "gate rate" applies to both residents and non-residents? If so, I guess that's the way to go for me unless we plan on stopping at more than 11.25 pools.
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/swimming.htm#tags
"If you just want to swim for a day, purchase a daily admission ticket at any pool. The cost is $3 for children ages 3 - 15 and $4 for individuals 16 and older."
Doesn't say anything about residency for a daily pass. This also seems to imply that people should be able to go from one pool to another without having to pay extra.
I was wondering if the day pass was pool-specific. I hope not.
Its not pool specific.
Also no one ever asks you anything when you buy a pass. You scribble down some info and that is it. You should see if you can get one with a group, then they are only $15. Techinically you are all supposed to be at the same address but they never ask or care about that either.
I have been meaning to go to the pool and ask if you can use entry to the pool for one day at multiple pools. but they dont have anything to mark that youve paid that day i dont think. not a ticket, not a stamp, nothing.
Here is a question I've been pondering: Is it better to swim in bike shorts or bike in swim shorts? Or, split the difference with Adidas shorts or something...... still haven't through those details, haha.....
I'm pretty sure that this is a problem that triathaletes have already solved.
i cant imagine the bike short saddle pad thing being soaking wet. BLECCH. hello, pampers.
Is this definately Sunday August 8th? Time? Place?
I think due to the aforementioned pad thing, bike shorts restrict your movement more than swim suits do. Having ran in both cycling shorts and swim suits, I would have to agree with myself. Never cycled in them, but I can't imagine it would be that bad.
YES IT IS REALLY THE 8TH!
you can see it on the bikefest calendar here: http://www.bike-pgh.org/events/bikefest
and here are the details, which we put onto the calendar:
BikeFest Pool Tour
When
Sun, August 8, 12:45pm – 6:00pm
Where
Meet in Friendship Park (map)
Description
Wear your swimsuit and grab your bike--we are going to hit as many public pools as we can before they close (6:00 pm).
This somewhat leisurely ride will stop at several swimming locations. Distanced estimated to be 25-30 miles. Pittsburgh's Public Pools cost $4 for adults, $3 for kids, but you can buy a family 4 pass for $60 and swim all summer.
The schedule and route will be posted on the Bike-Pgh.org message board and we will welcome people joining us and leaving between pools. Spray Park visit and ice cream eating possible! Pools close at
Contact: Caitlinena@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: Bike Pittsburgh assumes no legal responsibility for the events listed. We are merely advertising these events, not organizing them, unless noted in the schedule. If you participate in an event, you do so at your own risk, according to the terms of the event organizer. Helmets are always advised as is a bike in good working condition. If you are participating in a ride at night you are responsible to follow the law and have a working front headlight and rear reflector. We recommend a rear blinkie light as well. Discuss any concerns you have with the event organizer, or email us at bikefestpgh@bike-pgh.org.
I am swamped at work (yet still posting on this board, hm) but want to post a map and times per pool. For now though,
Start at Friendship Park
Ride to Schenley Pool (in park)
Ride to Greenfield Pool (behind rec center on Greenfield Ave)
Stop at REI and maybe visit SS Works fountain!
Ride to South Side Pool (by birmingham bridge)
Ride to North Side Pool (on cedar)
Troy Hill Spray Park (Guettman st?)
End at Polish Hill "Country Club"
does that sound possible? imagine about 20 min at each pool before moving on.
for gents, swim shorts with a mesh liner are way better than bicycle shorts for swimming and riding. they dry out much more quickly than normal shorts, which makes them better than, say, shorts and boxers for biking after swimming, and the pad in bike shorts has the opposite effect it's supposed to when it's completely saturated (i've done it and don't recommend it, even for a casual two mile saunter).
MAP OF POOLS WE WILL HIT AND APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE HERE
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113834467936905467574.00048d1bb67f9b3bd1209&ll=40.443681,-79.969826&spn=0.067411,0.150547&t=h&z=13
we would love for you to come to all of them but if you want to hit another ride first and join us at a pool, do that! we may stop for ice cream or italian ice at some point, but i think we can mostly hit everything in a reasonable time this way.
BRING: you and your suit! snacks if you need them! a towel! your pool pass or cash!! and of course swimmie wings!
Thanks yall and see ya sunday! Should be perfect weather in the mid-80s
Cool! I'm gonna try to hit part of this ride!!!!
There might be some extra pool passes around as part of a family pass.
Anyone from Pittsburgh is probably my cousin, right?
awesome!!! I hope to see y'all tomorrow!
omg this was so fun, thanks so much to everyone for being enthused about pools, fountains, and the spray park!
i hope we can do pool tour 2 for the pools we missed, and definitely a pool tour winter edition to the oliver bathhouse!
So much fun! For me, this was the high point of biking events in Pittsburgh.
Caitlin thanks sooo much for organizing this, I had a blast!
Best pool - North Side, with slide
Best Participation - Greenfield, youth & group connon ball
Best lifeguard - South Side, go ahead and jump from the guard chair
Bad timing - PPG, what's up with that?
Honnorable mention - Sharks & minnows
I hardly took any pictures! I hope some of the other picture takers will post. Here are the only ones!
EVERYBODY CANNONBAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL
@ the greenfield pool "a fine residential community"
already in the pool post cannonball
parking bikes at greenfield
waiting for the train to pass!
More pools please!!!! (Can we please have a round 2???) This was too much fun to only do one time!!!
~Niki
Hey guys, Maura emailed me this link and asked me to post it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52917596@N08/sets/72157624684029888/
Woo! Great times all. The group shot is so cute we should all get it printed and frame it in a kitschy frame from Michaels that says "Friends Forever" on it.
Thanks again, Caitlin!
-Billy
haha "Slide Rules". they should really put that sign, oh, near the slide.
Slide rules? Near the slide? How delightfully absurd.
i might be able to do more pools on sunday the 22nd... sunday the 22nd anyone?
we didnt make it to: bloomfield, highland park, polish hill, any of the ones on the hill top (noooooooooooooooo i dont want to ride up theeeeeeere), riverview, brighton heights, etc.
revisit: ppg plaza! booooooo
I'm for more pools and fewer fountains. Maybe a river.
But that's just me.
Hitting the barge rope swing would be the bees' knees, if there's no sewer alert that day.
This was indeed great fun and a sequel would be appreciated. Sunday 22 August is fine by me. I am intrigued by this barge and second the request for a river (and get sewer alerts sent to my cellphone!).
Bump. Anyone still planning on a sequel this Sunday?
