The great city of Pittsburgh, PA is celebrating its 250th birthday and a mega-watt of bicycle activities are planned for this weekend. Included in the celebration is the Tour of Pennsylvania, a 420-mile road stage race that began in Philadelphia on June 24th and ends Sunday with a 33-lap circuit race through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh. The after parties are already popping up!

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In addition, Bike Pittsburgh, one of our local advocacy groups is also hosting their annual BikeFest from June 27 to July 6th. The events begin on Friday with a Critical Mass followed by CBGB (Community Bike Gathering and Bash) – a fundraiser with donated foods, beverages and music. The festival highlights a variety of rides, depending on stamina and skill, to showcase such things as Pittsburgh’s green buildings ride, a women’s mountain bike ride, bike polo, track racing, local foods ride, and a kids ice cream ride.

Something that was completely unplanned, but has fit in nicely in the grand scheme of celebrating, is Aydin’s record release party this Friday night. For those that don’t know, Dirt Rag’s editor Karen Brooks is also a bad-ass drummer, even if she likes Rush, and her and I have been making music together for almost 7-years with our good friend, psychedelic-accordionist, Mark Russell. The record, yes vinyl, “Cyclones and Honey” is our 2nd full length recording, in addition to a few compilations. You can read about it or listen to it here. BikePgh members get into the show at a discounted rate!

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And now that celebrating has taken over my train of thought, let’s raise a glass or ride a wheelie for our bandmate Mark’s first child and son, Charlie Russell. He was born yesterday, June 25th. That should make playing the release show a little easier, since we all won’t be wondering if the call is going to come for him to drop the accordion and rush to the hospital.

Yes, summer is shaping up to be a good time. Keep spinning circles. – Shannon