Sunday, October 12, 2003

By Larry Walsh, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The idea for the Optimist Heritage Ride for families Sunday afternoon evolved when a few club members were pedaling through city neighborhoods during the 10th annual Pedal Pittsburgh ride in May.

"We realized Pittsburgh did not have an event like this in the fall, so we selected a Sunday afternoon on a weekend when the Steelers have a bye," said John Sinnott of O'Hara, president of the Pittsburgh North Optimist Club.

"Our idea was to create a safe bicycle event that would encourage parents to take their children out for a bike ride."

He and his wife, Margaret, will ride with their children -- Mollie, 14, Peter, 12 and David, 10.

Because many families wouldn't care to pump up and brake down Pittsburgh's hilly topography, the club selected the Three Rivers Heritage Trail for the ride because most of it is flat.

The scenic trail, the surface of which is crushed limestone or asphalt, parallels the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. And, since the trail is a work in progress, the club is donating the proceeds from the ride to the Friends of the Riverfront so it can help complete, maintain and extend it.

The ride is a natural for the Optimists, a club that was formed in Buffalo in 1911 to help children. The club's motto is "Friend of Youth." Sinnott said the organization has almost 200,000 members worldwide.

The local club has organized a variety of events for children since it was chartered in 1988. The heritage ride is its first bicycle event.

And, Sinnott emphasized, it's a ride, not a race.

It will start between noon and 1 p.m. at Redfin Blues restaurant near the Washington's Landing development on Herr's Island in the Allegheny River. The restaurant and its parking lot are under the 31st Street Bridge.

Heinz Field will be the first rest stop -- and the midway point -- for those who want to bike about five miles. After their break, they'll return to Herr's Island.

Those up for a 15-mile ride will cross the pedestrian bridge to Point State Park, take the Boulevard of the Allies to Smithfield Street, cross the Smithfield Street Bridge and turn left on Carson Street.

A few blocks later, the group will get back on the bike trail and pedal to the Hot Metal Bridge. Because the bridge doesn't have a bike lane, they'll have to be careful crossing it. They'll then get on the Eliza Furnace Trail and return to town.

After a break at the Golden Triangle Bike Rental shop adjacent to the First Avenue Garage, they'll take the Boulevard of the Allies back to the Point, cross the bridge and return to Herr's Island.

Be aware. The roads will not be closed. All traffic laws must be obeyed.

The registration fee for adults 18 and older is $20. There is no fee for children. Everyone must wear a helmet. Cameras are optional, but take one if you can.

For more information, call 412-427-2979, e-mail info@pittsburghoptimist.com or go to www.pittsburghoptimist.org. Adults who pre-register on the Web site by Friday will receive a T-shirt. Any extra T-shirts will cost $10 each.

Ghost riders

Bike Pittsburgh, in conjunction with the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute, is the host of a Haunted Bike Ride from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31. The round-trip ride will begin at the Greenfield trailhead of the Eliza Furnace Trail, continue through Downtown and cross the Allegheny River to the North Side.

"We'll be making plenty of stops to tell stories and give local haunted history," said David Hoffman of Bike Pittsburgh, a bicycling advocacy, awareness and safety organization. "This is a fully supported ride with treats and drinks provided along the way."

Hoffman said participants are encouraged to ride in costume but should avoid any apparel that might impair their vision or get caught in their wheels or chains. Helmets are required and can be suitably decorated for the occasion.

Bring a bike light if you have one. If you'd like to borrow one, say so when you register. The cost is $20 for members of Bike Pittsburgh and WPFI and $25 for non-members. To register, call 412-255-0564 or e-mail: signup@wpfi.org

For more information on Bike Pittsburgh, call 412-576-5982 or go to david@bike-pgh.org or www.Bike-Pgh.org.

Urban riders

If you've got the legs and lungs for some of Pittsburgh's steeper terrain and an interest in riding on city streets when traffic is low, take an Urban Advocacy Neighborhood Ride from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.

The ride, sponsored by Bike Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute, will begin and end at the Greenfield trailhead of the Eliza Furnace Trail. It will be led by David Hoffman, founder of Bike Pittsburgh, and Louis Fineberg, the author of "3 Rivers on 2 Wheels: An Explorer's Guide to Urban Pittsburgh."

Although there is no registration fee and pre-registration isn't required, a $5 donation to WPFI would be appreciated. For more information, call 412-255-0564.

There's room for everyone

If everyone makes room on the trails in city and county parks. It should be no surprise to anyone frequenting park trails to encounter dog owners walking their pets, walkers-joggers-runners and mountain bike enthusiasts.

The latter should slow down, announce their presence when coming upon others from behind and pull over and stop when necessary to allow others to pass.

If the me-first mountain bikers that recently have been riding rampant in Riverview Park continue to ride irresponsibly, they might find themselves -- and all responsible mountain bikers -- banned from the park.

Larry Walsh can be reached at lwalsh@post-gazette.com and 412-263-1488.

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