The advocacy scene is mostly moderated by two all-inclusive multi-user clubs focusing on trails: PTAG, and Bike Pittsburgh, which incidentally comprise mostly cyclists are the change-makers. Just like in California, the mountain bikers perform a majority of the volunteer trail maintenance. Unlike California, Pittsburgh has a Steward (representative from PTAG) for each park, which communicates the trail maintenance news and needs – which I think lends itself to a stronger relationship with other trail users. The MTB clubs, like PORC and Allegheny Cycling Association are social networks or racing organizations, that basically advertise rides, races, and community as their primary function. At the cusp of every development is a lot of community support, including numerous established local bike shops, the bicycle-oriented OTB bicycle cafe (which it is good to note, drinking beer seems more a part of the riding/sports culture here), and a 20-year old mountain biking magazine interwoven within the fabric of the community: Dirt Rag.
The ladies’ cycling scene is about the same scale as the one in the Bay Area, but quite a bit less cohesive and inclusive than what I am used to. Its smaller and appears to be spread thinly across various regions. What I have personally experienced so far, doesn’t seem to offer the same sense of community for women within the sport here, as with men. It brings me back to the age-old question, “Why do women get into athletic pursuits?” and I think the women that get into it for attention (positive and negative) rather than personal gain, may not stick with it. It seems negative attention is a long-term social biproduct of poor self-image, and something that cycling can counter with the right recipe of positive reinforcement and goal-setting. Positive community development starts with the kids, and the sport is built around their development. To that end, a new Trips for Kids chapter has started in Pittsburgh, a little something familiar to me from the Bay Area. What follows is the question, “What will keep them in the sport?” and what I am going to do about it.
The trails and the roads are similarly treacherous in a fun way – more potholes, slippery roots and “greasy” mud pockets than anything I’ve ridden in California. Indeed, its more of an upper body workout, and there is less room to let go of the brakes, feel the wind through the helmet vents, or even exhale, for that matter. Personally, I am looking forward to the challenge, willing to work for improvements, and eager to see some race courses out here.
