Best DIY Bike Tours in Pittsburgh
With all the time I spend biking around the city, I've found some pretty great ways to relax and enjoy a day out biking in Pittsburgh. I can just spend the day with my husband and friends riding around town, eating at some great local restaurants, and enjoying the riverfronts. Here's a list of my top Do-It-Yourself bike tours for Pittsburgh.
DIY Allegheny
Point State Park is always a great starting point for a day out in Pittsburgh. Check out the new landscaping, then bike along the Allegheny River and follow the trail toward the Strip District. Take a quick side trip into the stunning water walk as you ride past the Convention Center, it's a great way to cool off!
The Strip District Trail ends just past the Cork Factory and from there you can walk or ride up to Smallman Street or Penn Avenue for a shopping break and some food. There is a lot to choose from here, but my go-to are the macaroons from Enrico's and a coffee from 21st Street Coffee. A close second are the hermit bars from Sustenance Rustic Bakery in the Pittsburgh Public Market.
After your Strip District stop, bike over to the 16th Street Bridge (you can follow the sidewalk here) and make a right at the end. At the stop sign in front of the Heinz Lofts, take another right and go straight to the North Shore Trail. Once you reach the trail, turn left and ride to Washington's Landing. The bridge crossing onto the island will be on your right but can be a bit hidden if you're not looking out for it.
Once on Washington's Landing, follow the bike trail all the way around the small island. You'll eventually end up at Redfin Blue's, another great place to stop and enjoy your day out. Every time I eat here I feel like I'm on a vacation near the shore. Dining on the outdoor deck provides a view of the river and marina; you can just sit and watch the boats go by all day long. I always get the peel and eat shrimp here, but ask for more Old Bay on the side if you like them spicy like I do.
Once you've enjoyed your time on the island, get back to the North Shore Trail and continue toward the North Shore. Here you can ride past PNC Park and Heinz Field, you can even keep riding past the Rivers Casino onto the Chateau Trail which dead ends after a few miles (at which point you can just ride back). This is a great place for some people watching, especially on a game day.
To end the tour, just bike back over the Ft. Duquesne Bridge to Point State Park. This is the only "hill" on the ride and you can easily walk your bikes if necessary. To bike this loop takes about 45-60 minutes, but depending on your stops you can make it as long you like.
Locations:
Point State Park 101 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 471 – 0235
Reviews, Directions & More InfoWashington's Landing 100 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 321 - 3600
Reviews, Directions & More Info21st Street Coffee 50 21st Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Hours: Mon to Wed – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thurs to Fri: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat – 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sun - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(412) 281 – 0809
http://21streetcoffee.comRedfin Blues 100 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 11:30 AM-10 PM
Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 AM-11 PM
Friday 11:30 AM-midnight
Reviews, Directions & More InfoVisit www.friendsoftheriverfront.org for the Three Rivers Heritage Trail map and online guide.
Sara Petyk started her company Your Active City to show off the great city of Pittsburgh. Her biking and walking tours can found at www.youractivecity.com.
