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Ask An Expert: Best Bike Rides In Pittsburgh

If you're fortunate enough to make a living doing the things you're most passionate about, consider yourself lucky. Bob McKinney is a lucky man, you can tell just by speaking to him. His passions include bicycles, the City of Pittsburgh, and the Iron City Bikes shop that he owns and operates in the Oakland area of town. He was gracious enough to share some of his favorite spots around the city to ride. From beginners to experts, the bike trails, parks and city streets on this list are sure to bring out the inner cyclist in anyone. Here are the best bike rides in Pittsburgh.

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Bob McKinney
Iron City Bikes
331 South Bouquet St.
Pittsburgh PA, 15213
(412) 681-1310
www.ironcitybikes.com

Frick Park: A Good Trail For Everyone From Beginners To Seasoned Cycling Experts

"One good ride that isn't too technical is to ride the double track dirt roads in Frick Park. It is scenic, well-marked and can be ridden on most bikes," according to Bob McKinney, "Most of the trails in the parks will be more mountain bike oriented but they do have some nicely groomed trails that can be done on hybrids and the like."

At 561 acres, Frick Park is by far the largest of the downtown area parks. Although favored by mountain bikers, the trails in and around Frick Park are both beautiful and rugged. Riders are encouraged to remain on established trails and to always share with other bikers, hikers and picnickers.

Carlow Schenley Park Offers Exceptional Cycling Opportunities For Students At The University Of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon And Carlow College

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Of all the trails on this list, Schenley Park is located closest to Iron City Bikes. Many new customers test their bicycles on the roadways and sidewalks of Schenley after being fitted by Bob McKinney or one of his staff members. Schenley Park is also within easy walking distance of Carnegie Mellon, Pitt, and Carlow College so it is a favorite of college students. It is characterized by its hilly terrain and provides both paved trails and convenient parking. Also, there is a new trail located near the Bartlett St. entrance, thanks in large part to the SCA and Pittsburgh Parks.

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For Cyclists Looking To Rack Up Some Mileage… Take A Ride On The North Shore Trail

Winding its way along the banks of the Allegheny River, The North Shore/Three Rivers Heritage Trail stretches more than 25 miles. It runs from Millvale to the South Side and is comprised of paved asphalt, concrete and crushed stone. It is utilized by cyclists of every type, from daily commuters to weekend warriors and everything in-between. Our expert, McKinney says, "A nice map can be found here, Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (PORC) Ride_Locations.php. It is a valuable resource for information on all the trails in the Pittsburgh area. It marks good spots to park in all the parks with good riding."

Located Close To The City, The Trails Of South Park Provide Beautiful Backdrops And Well Managed Paths

McKinney says, "Another good suggestion is South Park, they have convenient parking and some of the best groomed trails you'll find." South Park offers multiple off road and paved style trails for cyclists of multiple skill sets. There is the Bison Trail that is six miles long, the Fairgrounds Trail, with a total distance of just under 1.5 miles, and the Maple Springs and Corrigan which cover distances of approximately two miles.

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Marcel Tourdot is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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