NAME: Mike and Ann Kelly

LOCATION: Pittsburgh, PA

OCCUPATION: Contractor and Hotel Marketing

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?

We live in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh. This is the central part of the city and the entire city is accessible from here. The best access is the side streets, bike lanes (too few) and the great bike trails along the three rivers. The main drags can be very dicey with potholes, uneven pavement, and sunken catch basins. You can never ride close to the curb. The drivers aren’t too bad, but I have been spit on, screamed at, and generally hounded by stupid people. There are a lot more urban riders every year and once you figure it out, Pittsburgh is a great city to ride in.

What was your favorite city to ride in and why?

Hands down, the Washington DC area. The C&O Canal Towpath, the Capitol Mall, around the neighborhoods, Rock Springs Park, Alexandria, and Arlington. And riding down the Lincoln Memorial steps.

Why do you love riding in the city?

Pittsburgh has a fairly small footprint, but some serious rivers, hills and valleys. In good weather, we go out most Saturdays for 3–4 hours. We ride on the bike trails, through the parks, around the universities, and to the Strip District for shopping. We mix it up a lot. I ride year round, with studded tires for the ice. Pittsburgh is a real gem for cyclists of all stripes.