Bike Pittsburgh

Road Construction Down South

Doing this route today, I found that Presto Sygan Road will be closed starting 7 July. No info on the signage as to when it would re-open.

And, wow, that was a fine, fine ride.

RE: Road Construction Down South

There is so much good riding out there!
If you are really bored, you can google around and find info about the nike site that you rode across. It is kind of crazy.
Bikely seems to have it as "old noblestown" but i think that it is signed "nike site" no?
Still missles there, just welded shut.

link article about nike sites around pgh

RE: Road Construction Down South

Oh, duh. No wonder why I came in with 50+ miles on the computer. I rode all the way into Oakdale. Yeah, it's signed as Nike Site.

That's interesting about the missile sites--didn't know that. I grew up across the valley from Shuman Center and the Army base up the road from the Oval--rumor was there were missiles in the woods up there, too.

RE: Road Construction Down South

By the way Steevo, there are rumors that you know how to avoid the sprawl outside of Carnegie and Heidelburg...any truth to that?

RE: Road Construction Down South

It is a sprwalbercut rather than going
past all the shops and crap on noblestown
you cut through residential areas.
Where 50 goes left (noblestown) and crafton ave goes straight UP (60) go straight. Crest the hill staying on crafton ave (blvd?) 60 goes right, but stay straight. Cross bridge (over busway) and make second left (first one that isnt 1 way) take it until it T's and make a left. Down hill. Chicane right then left (crossing under busway, I have never actually thought how much elevation gain/loss was involved there)... make first right and follow that road up, then down, then you are forced to turn right, and it dumps you onto noblestown right before carneggie, right before you cross under the train bridge.

If you look at a map, it is pretty straight forward. There are no lights. crafton ave coming back into town is a classic "last hill of the ride" before bombing into the west end.

RE: Road Construction Down South

oh shoot. I thought crafton.

After char valley high where you get on 50 you can cut behind the gas station and follow a road paralleling 50 for 5 or 6 blocks until it bridges over the train tracks. This is mostly only works inbound. otherwise, you still have to move through carnegie.

RE: Road Construction Down South

that is a great ride. how did you like reigert's hill?

RE: Road Construction Down South

Thanks, Steevo.

I looked at the elevation profile before I left and thought "2400 feet, not too bad" but given the ease of hammering on the flat bits, Sygan and the other climbs felt harder than the profile makes them look.

I loved Sygan, though. I can't get enough gravel.

RE: Road Construction Down South

Yeah, part of Sygan keeps falling down. It's been once lane for awhile, I suspect they'll shore it up instead of repaving this time.