with bradQ, brad[something else], and erok (none of whom are members), headed out the yough for an overnight. l'ville to s'side for breakfast and provisioning. out the trail and 837 to mckeesport, through mckeesport to the yough trail, yough trail for another 20 or so miles.

we were aiming for a shelter bradQ had spotted, three sided with the open side full of a stone fireplace, hence we brought no tents. but when we got there it was taken, which left us with a choice: out another 12 or so miles to a site with lesser shelters or stay put at one of the numerous firepits and sleep under the stars, given the rainless forecast.

we chose the latter, and woke next to a still-burning fire (we all kept after it overnight), bikes and bags covered in frost. tough to get going, but a diner at mile 4 of the return trip and enough wood to keep the fire going till mid-morning made all the difference in the world.

great trip.

home to work (33degrees) to a birthday happy hour downtown to garfield for bikePgh and then up and over stanton with friends for a night well spent. tomorrow, apparently, i'm riding out the yough to camp in the cold. who woulda thunk.

traffic hell

gotta love this season -- 36 in the morning, 60-ish in the last sun of the evening, back down to 50-ish a half-hour after sunset. i feel like i'm carrying around and/or wearing half the cycling clothing i own.