Steel City Cycologist
22 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsSteel City Cycologist is a podcast about cycling. Join the conversations about bikes, area trails, bike equipment. We place a strong emphasis on bike safety and also offer our experiences with nutrition and hydration and other topics of interest to our listeners. We share a love of all things cycling.
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Episodes
Bike the Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco
November 17, 2019 03:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBRobert and his friends Karen and Brian tell of their adventure biking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. They rented bikes at Fisherman's Wharf and rode across the 1.7 mile bridge into Sausalito for a total of 11 miles. After lunch they returned to the bike shop via ferry across San Francisco Bay. The rental provided the bike, helmet, water bottle, bike lock and a map. Robert and friends discuss the bike route and the experience of biking across this iconic structure. They talk ab...
Take your Bike on the plane!
October 18, 2019 19:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBRobert talks about taking your bike on the plane. How to package it in a bike box, bag or solid case. Once packaged, what to expect at the airport. Issues with over-sized and over- weight items will cost you $$$. A set of options include shipping your bike by FedEx Ground, take it with you on the plane, use a bike shipping company (BikeFlights), or just rent a bike at your destination! Taking you bike on Amtrak is also discussed. Particularly in conjunction with riding the Great Allegheny ...
Bike Expedition - Cumberland, MD to the Eastern Continental Divide and return.
September 08, 2019 17:00 - 11 minutes - 8 MBRobert takes us on a day trip from Cumberland, MD to the Eastern Continental Divide, and then down the mountain for 25 miles to Cumberland. The fun part is traveling the first 15 miles (the steepest on the GAP) via the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, to Frostburg, MD. (Now running on weekends until the end of the year.) We leave Cumberland at 11:30am with the bike in the baggage car. Enjoy an hour train ride up the mountain to Frostburg. We retrieve our bike and watch the locomotive turn...
Metric Century Ride
September 04, 2019 17:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBRobert goes for a Metric Century ride (100k, 62.2 miles). He discusses a metric century, nutrition/hydration aspects, bike electronics, and ride metrics. In addition he does a trail update on the Montour Trail Connector linking the Panhandle Trail and the Montour Trail. The trail update includes the Southern Beltway construction on the Montour Connector and the Montour Trail (Near mm18). Also highlights on other changes on the Montour, including the new asphalt paving in the National Tunne...
Fun Bike Adventure - Day Ride
August 21, 2019 18:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBTwo route ideas for a weekday or weekend bike ride around the Pittsburgh area. The first ride starts on the Montour Trail, boards the Port Authority "T" at Library Station and exits at Station Square. Then to the South Side Trail to lunch spots 5 miles down Carson Street. Then back to your car. The alternate route starts where you park your car and you take the "T" to Gateway Station downtown, then to bus #21 to Coraopolis where you get on the Montour trail and ride back to your car. A b...
Summer Trail Update: Little Beaver Greenway Trail
August 09, 2019 18:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBThis is the final Episode of the Summer Trail Update Series (2019). The Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail runs from Lisbon, Ohio to Washingtonville, Ohio. There are plans to establish a trail network from near East Liverpool Ohio to Lake Erie. Little Beaver would be part of that planned 100 mile system of trails. Episode 17 explores updates to the Greenway trail at mile 9 where a little over a mile of trail has been paved with new asphalt. This trail is extremely well maintained with adeq...
Summer Trail Update: Montour Trail
August 03, 2019 14:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBRobert rides the full length of Pittsburgh's Montour Trail, one of the country's longest and most beautiful trails. From mile "0" in Coraopolis to the "T" station in Library, Robert provides narrative on the trail Special cautions on the construction area where the Southern Beltway crosses the Montour, as well as other completed crossings for pipelines. Robert has been taking his recorder on the bike with him, so you get to hear the sounds of the trails: mowers, planes, traffic, birds, et...
Summer Trail Update: Wheeling Heritage Trail - (Safety Caution)
July 30, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThis is a summer 2019 update of the Wheeling Heritage Trail. Robert discovers a police safety caution on riding this trail. He reads the Wheeling Police Department statement regarding three robberies, in two months, on the trail. This update discusses the new pavement (2 miles), a detour, trail condition and the ride through Wheeling WV. Robert also noted the trail rule "Always ride with a friend" and observed a uniformed police officer, on foot, patrolling the trail in Warwood, WV. These...
Summer Trail Update: Conotton Creek Trail
July 28, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutes - 7.87 MBEpisode 14 explores the Conotton Creek Trail in Jewett Ohio. The 11.2 mile trail runs between Jewett, Ohio and Bowerston, Ohio. This is the old roadbed of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. It has an aging asphalt surface. The trail is basically level and features five covered bridges along the 11.2 miles. Midway is the small town of Scio, Ohio, former home of the Scio Pottery Company that closed in 1985. This is Ohio farm country with rolling hills, farms, ponds, & wetlands. The trail f...
Summer Trail Update: Panhandle Trail
July 24, 2019 19:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBIn Episode 13 we ride the Panhandle Trail from Walkers Mill to Weirton, WV. This trail evaluation is mid-summer 2019 and reveals current conditions on the trail. This is the first in a series of trail updates. The Walkers Mill end has recently seen improvements while the Weirton end is closed while an overhead bridge is being replaced. There is one section that I label DNR (Do Not Ride) in my bike log. Find out why. The Southern Beltway construction also crosses the Panhandle near McDona...
Boy Scouts on the Trail
July 13, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBThis episode features an interview with two Boy Scouts from Chicago describing their efforts to earn a Merit Badge in Cycling. They require a 50 mile ride and they came to Pittsburgh to fulfill that requirement. The boys talk about getting ready for the big ride. Their bikes required a lot of work prior to the 50 mile ride. They share their experience. When asked what they learned during their ride and visit to Pittsburgh, they said they learned how crucial it is to keep the bikes clean ...
Special Edition: First Rides Spring 2019
April 07, 2019 04:00 - 12 minutes - 5.7 MBThis Episode provides a report on the condition of the Montour Trail and the Panhandle Trail. There are a number of construction areas along Montour Trail this spring. Largest of which is the Southern Beltway that crosses the trail in McDonald, PA. In addition there is a new precast tunnel at mm24.5 where a new housing project is underway. There are other areas where pipeline construction crosses the trail. Just exercise caution in the construction areas.
Endurance in Frigid Weather
March 24, 2019 04:00 - 26 minutes - 12 MBGuest is Cheryl from Ann Arbor, MI. She is an experienced ultra-runner and shares her experiences in running in very cold weather. Cyclists endure many of the same issues. Cheryl wrote an article for Steel City Cycologists on endurance in frigid weather. It's currently on the website at steelcitycycologist.com.
Cycling-Running Connection
March 01, 2019 15:00 - 27 minutes - 12.6 MBEpisode 6 features an in-depth discussion about the connection between cycling and running. Some cyclists also include running in their routine. Some runners augment their training with cycling. Chris is an ultra-runner turned cyclist. (But running is still in his blood.) In this episode he tells about his experiences in ultra running. Chris tells about running the Georgia Death Race (72 miles); The "Punkin Holler" in Oklahoma (135 miles); and the "3 Days at the Fair" in Augusta, NJ, at 21...
The Abandoned Turnpike
March 01, 2019 15:00 - 17 minutes - 7.96 MBEpisode 9 features a visit to the Abandoned Turnpike near Breezewood interchange on the PA Turnpike. This 13 mile section was abandoned in 1968 when three tunnels and a service plaza were bypassed. The property is closed to the public but bikes are welcome and you ride at your own risk! The Sideling Hill tunnel is 6800+' long, that's a mile and a quarter! The tunnels are dark, wet, debris is everywhere, including chunks of concrete from the ceiling. If you're going to ride these tunnels, yo...
The Great Allegheny Passage - Part 1 (Getting Ready to Ride the GAP)
March 01, 2019 15:00 - 25 minutes - 12 MBEpisode 7 is the first of two episodes on the Great Allegheny Passage. In this podcast Robert and Chris go into detail on mapping software, what to pack for the road-trip and note that the bikes, under load, weighed in at 50 pounds. That will change the ride characteristics of your bike! Their GAP ride started in Columbus, Ohio. First day (of 5) was Columbus to Steubenville, Ohio. Day two from Weirton, WV to Homestead, PA. Day three, first day on the actual GAP trail, was from Homestead to ...
The Great Allegheny Passage - Part 2 (Riding the GAP)
March 01, 2019 15:00 - 26 minutes - 12 MBEpisode 8 picks up where Episode 7 ended. The previous episode described in detail the preparations for riding the GAP. This podcast provides day-by-day details on the actual trip. Chris used mapping software during day one on the ride from Columbus, OH to Steubenville, OH. The day two trip was on the Panhandle and Montour trails, ending in Homestead, PA. By day three the guys were on the actual GAP route from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD. Day three's ride was Homestead to Connellsvill...
Cycling Nutrition/Hydration Essentials
March 01, 2019 15:00 - 26 minutes - 12.4 MBIn Episode 5 - Robert and Chris talk about nutrition and hydrations needs when out of the road or trail. Hydration needs are discussed first. Topics include discussions on the use of popular hydration products, like Tailwind, as well as recovery drinks, such as Recoverite. Chris tell how to calculate your sweat rate when cycling in hot and humid weather, in order to add hydration to compensate for the sweat loss. In the nutrition section, the guys discuss how to approach the nutrition need...
Bike Prep for the New Season & Maintenance Basics
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 27 minutes - 12.7 MBIn Episode 4, Robert and Chris talk about getting the bike ready to ride in this new season. They discuss maintenance basics, what to carry out on the road. Considering tubeless tires? Listen to their experiences with tubeless tires in a variety of settings. Product review: Muc Off C-3 lubricant.
Introduction & Preview - Steel City Cycologist Podcast Series
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MBRobert introduces himself and tells what he rides and where he rides. He then provides a preview of upcoming episodes of Steel City Cycologist. The podcasts cover bikes and equipment, area trails, riding the Great Allegheny Passage, and an emphasis on bike safety. Other topics upcoming will be nutrition-hydration essentials and the connection between running and cycling. A product review is provided for the Tacx Vortex Trainer. Steel City Cycologist is Pittsburgh-based but covers bike tra...
Staying Safe on the Bike
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 28 minutes - 13 MBCo-hosts Robert and Chris discuss bike safety. Use of on-board bike cameras are discussed. A look at hazards out on the road with motorists and discussion of close encounters of the hosts. Also description of the RoadID App and how it aids safety by letting your friends/family know where you are during your ride. Use of additional lights on the bike. Product review of Cycliq Fly 12 light/camera.
Bike Logs/Metrics & DIY Bike Caddy
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 11.1 MBIn Episode 2 Robert discusses bike logs and the metrics associated with cycling. Downloadable logs are on the steelcitycycologist.com website in both a basic and advanced format. Robert also presents a do-it-yourself project for a "bike caddy". This is a carrier for use in your SUV or trunk to securely hold your bike 'stuff.' Everything is handy as you prepare to ride. Then collects bike equipment and electronics at the end of the ride to easily tote back to the garage for cleaning and rech...