A foggy 54° was much colder this morning without the sun to warm our bodies.  Within a couple of blocks, we had to stop and throw on jackets for our five mile beautiful ride along the river to breakfast.  It was worth it.

After breakfast, we pedaled through the nicely renovated Beaver downtown, across the Beaver River then across the Ohio River.  The morning route was along a highway with no shoulder, but the Saturday morning traffic was minimal.  It took two hours for the sun to rise above the soft clouds, but the temperatures remained cool.  Homes were stacked on the steep hillside and though we had climbing, we were happy it was not that steep.  We rode past patriotic neighborhoods and the dilapidating buildings the steel industry had left behind.  In order to avoid a few hills we crossed over to Neville Island with a township on one end and industry on the other.  Back on the southside of the Ohio River, we encountered a couple more climbs then a few miles of some hairy construction before reaching Pittsburgh and a quiet bike path.  This is the way to see the city, great views and away from the traffic.  It was a picture perfect day; exactly what the Chamber of Commerce would order for a Pirate’s and Steelers weekend.  And what better way to enjoy the day and view of the city then over lunch and beer.  We enjoyed the last few miles along the Monongahela River, retraceing the path we’d biked five years ago and not going much faster than these guys..…in no hurry to get out of the way of cars.  It was a leisurely 46 mile ride today, but we ate like we’d pedaled the Rockies, or maybe just the 2300 miles so far.