New to the area

[oleta2]

Hi
I just moved to West View (near Pittsburgh) PA and I am looking for some mountain bike trails to ride. I'm not at an advanced level (yet) so something that is novice to intermediate would be nice.
I moved from Florida where I worked at Oleta River State Park in North Miami. We had 15 miles of some of the best trails in Florida. Our local forum was club mud, I am looking forward to riding up here.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Beth:)

[K-Man]

Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (PORC) has a message board (http://www.porcmtbclub.org/phpBB3/) that's the probably the best source for hooking up on group rides in local parks. Their "follow the leader" style rides will give you a chance to learn the local trails.

It probably wouldn't hurt to stop by Scholls (http://www.schollsbikes.com/) Bikes in West View and see what they can do for you.

[ironspoke]

I second the comment on Scholls. North Park is in the North Hills but damn with traffic and such it just seems to take forever to get there anymore. Park up by the baseball field up by the swimming pool and just look around. Its been years since I spent a lot of time out there but I'm sure that scene is still pretty kickin.'

You can also try Riverview Park for something closer to home but there isnt a whole lot of room there compared to North Park.

[poison idea]

there's a real nice group of folks that ride north park weds at 6pm. they meet up at the football field.
north park is pretty f'n sweet, but ironspoke's right -the traffic gettin there is horrid

[altern8nrg]

PORC/PTAG would be your best resource if you haven't connected with either of them yet.

I am most experienced riding Harrison Hills Park, Boyce Park or Roaring Run.

Harrison Hills(HHP) is the least technical but has some intermediate areas, not too bad though. Many of the trails have been cleaned up a bit and old ones "re-discovered" Fast hard packed trails, rolling, yes hills but do-able. If you are in descent shape and advanced beginner to intermediate you'll love it. 500 acres of lush forest, views and wildlife. I have been around this park for over twenty years. Now is the best conditions I have ever ridden!!!

I find the others to be far more technical although I haven't been to Boyce in a while but hear great things and will try to ride it tomorrow with the fellows from PORC. Roaring Run, Apollo as of about six weeks ago was at the extreme limit of my technical and physical limits at first in certain sections. After a few rides, it is still challenging but much more enjoyable.

I ride Mondays whenever(off work), any other evening I can get out early enough, Saturday evenings and Sundays. Most often I ride HHP but am open to any regional ride as my schedule will allow...

[John]

Don't miss the annual PORC Pignic at North Park on September 21! Lots of rides, food, beer and games (how far can you toss a 50lb Huffy?).

There are some excellent pictures from a recent group ride in Harrison Hills posted on the PORC website. I used to lead rides from Tarentum on the motorcycle trails along 28, parts of Rachel Carson Trail, into and thru Harrison Hills, bombing the downhill behind the printer's and then road riding back to Tarentum. Now that I live in the freaking South Hills, it's just a memory.:(