Everyone rides the Red Belt (well, at least people that do distance rides). It is considered one of the "classic" roads in the area.
2011-06-01 23:07:03
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The Red Belt?
Does anyone ride on The Red Belt? As a pre-MS150 ride, I was going to take The Red Belt from Tarentum over to Leetsdale and back for a nice sixty-something miles this Saturday.
It looks like fun on the map, but I was wondering if anyone who rides up there has anything to say about the ride...good or bad. Thanks.
2011-06-01 23:02:59
On my way home today from work I passed three cyclists on the red belt, in total jealousy. It's a beautiful route.
2011-06-01 23:11:52
Awesome to hear -- I'm stoked for the ride now. I spent last Saturday in Murrysville climbing hill after hill after hill after hill...it was a killer workout, but a sorta drag of a ride. I could use a nice long ride on a "classic" road.
Work pressures have kept me from commuting on the bike this week, and I am going stir-crazy.
2011-06-01 23:14:05
I rode it about a month or so back and it was a great ride. We started in downtown and ended downtown so I was pretty tired, but starting in Tarentum sounds like it would make for a much better ride. If you want to wait until sunday I would probably join you...
2011-06-01 23:19:14
@Rocco: I'm vaguely planning to do the Red Belt in the opposite direction (Ambridge to Tarentum), starting 8 AM-ish. Look for a sweat-soaked dude on a white 'bent...
Assuming you're not familiar with the area, here's a few places you can plan to get supplies on-route:
-8 miles from Tarentum, Popeyes convenience store at intersection with Saxonburg
-17 miles "", 7-11 at intersection with Babcock
-23 miles "", 7-11 at intersection with Rte 19 (Scholl's bike shop, too)
What were you planning for a return route? Beaver to Sewickley, then cross the river to Coraopolis and return via Neville Island/McKees Rocks Bridge is usually pretty nice.
[edited to add:] Never mind, you already said you're doing a there-and-back. I'll shut up now...
2011-06-01 23:25:59
@boostuv -- I'm set for sometime Saturday, but maybe sometime this summer?
@reddan -- thanks for the tips. If we go early, I'll be sure to give you a wave. I'll be riding up from Shaler and picking up another guy in Cheswick along the way...I'm hoping to make the ride a sorta pilgrimage to Ambridge bikes for a set of brake pads, hence the out-and-back. Could end up being a century day, depending on the weather...
2011-06-02 02:07:32