Bike Your Buns Off

Pittsburghers can now bike all the way to Washington, D.C., without leaving the trail. Go on, then.

Photo by Wendy Bristol
 

 

Now here’s a workout that makes P90X look like child’s play. The recently completed and epically named Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile rail trail that connects Point State Park with Cumberland, Md.

Still not enough biking for you?

Well, you're a masochist, but you’re also in luck because the trail joins with the 184-mile C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland to create a 334-mile route between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

Now instead of writing our dysfunctional, petty, thoroughly inept Congress angry emails, you can personally deliver them a letter voicing your historic disapproval.

The final segment of the trail between Homestead and Pittsburgh will open next month, but there will be festivities tomorrow to celebrate the completion of the GAP in both West Homestead and at Point State Park. The event will begin with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting at Sandcastle, followed by a bike parade on the final section to Point State Park, where the party and dedication ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on the Three Rivers Arts Festival main stage.

Seriously, the trail looks scenic as all get-out. Just watch this video. Soothing!

#DIY: Fun craft events at the Arts Fest
 

It’s a good time to be an arts fan in Pittsburgh. We’ve been witnessing streets and parks turn into party central for the Pittsburgh Pride Fest, Pittsburgh JazzLive International Fest and — how could we forget? — the Three Rivers Arts Fest.

Moving forward from its past presentations, the Pittsburgh Glass Center brought a little heat to the Arts Fest with last weekend’s flameworking demonstration, and it has more fun in store. Paired up with the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, the PGC will be located in the Giant Eagle Creativity Zone for the remainder of the festival (through Sunday), hosting an all-ages cold glass mosaics activity. The PGC crew will guide you in positioning bits of glass into eccentric designs to create your very own interpretation of a mosaic.

“It allows kids to really get a feel for the glass,” said Ashley McFarland, outreach coordinator of the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Best of all, you get to take home your one-of-a-kind creation.

You can see more of the PGC’s smaller mosaics displayed at the festival, including Becky Smith’s piece, which will be featured in the 3 Gateway lobby.

If you’re searching for more glass art, visit artist Debi Dwyer at Booth 229. Traveling from New Hampshire to the South, Dwyer was inspired to become a stained-glass artist by her beautiful Floridian surroundings. She eventually transformed her hobby into a career, now attending arts festivals all along the East Coast, where she wows customers with her unique choice of glass and jewels. Dwyer also applies her talents to lamp-making, using extraordinary glass to create luminous works of art.

— Abby Maddigan, PM Editorial Intern

  What’s going on this weekend?

 

• Later on, hit the streets during Sewickley’s first Night Market. Enjoy various foods and find fabulous items at nearby boutiques. — 6 p.m.

 

• Wish you could make your favorite cocktail the way the pro bartenders do? Learn how on Saturday at Tender Bar + Kitchen. — 2 p.m.

 

• Have a dad who loves Westerns? Head over to the Hollywood Theater on Sunday for brunch and High Noon. — 11 a.m.