the almanac M AY 11, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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GEARING UP
MIKE JONES/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Tandem Connection owner David Poe inspects a bicycle Friday afternoon at his repair shop along the Montour Trail in Cecil Township.
Tune-up time Area bicycle shops get ready for summer riding season By Mike Jones Staff writer
mjones@observer-reporter.com
Before hitting the trails this year, getting a proper tuneup on an old bicycle could mean the difference between a smooth ride or the walk of shame back to the car. David Poe, who owns Tandem Connection located along the Montour Trail in Cecil Township, said riders should perform their own checks – inspecting the frame, tires and other components – before heading out for the first ride of the season. But it’s usually good to also have a professional inspection and tune-up, which his shop will do by looking at the bike frame, wheels, tires, drivetrain and brakes for a relatively affordable price. “You don’t want to head out for a ride before having this done,” Poe said. “Being proactive instead of reactive about your bike maintenance will prevent many headaches. We see many people walking their bikes into the shop with issues after being on the trail for the first time. … Walking your bike back to your vehicle for a mile or more is no fun.” His location directly next to the trailhead parking lot not far from the Southpointe/Henderson exit of Interstate 79 in Washington County means he sees many walk-up customers who tried going out for the first
time but quickly turned around with problems. Most tune-ups help with brake or gearing problems, but the work on a functioning bike can also help to improve the ride and save money in the end, he said. “Many of our customers have told me over the years that after having their bike tuned up it rides like a brand-new bike,” Poe said. “Over the last 13 years we have seen it all. Some upfront care and maintenance with continued check over the summer can go a long way for a successful riding season.” Bike shops across the region have been slammed in recent weeks as the warmer weather has arrived and more bicyclists have taken to the trails. Eric Martin, who owns Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle, said the lack of use during the off-season can be rough on a bicycle, with dry rotted tires and jammed gears being the biggest culprits. “Over the course of a winter, it’s just sitting there,” Martin said. “Something really overlooked is chain wear. If not addressed, you could damage the whole drive train. An overhaul is well worth the money of keeping your bike in shape.” Wilderness Voyageurs has two bike rental locations, with the main store across the Youghiogheny River near Falls City Pub and the “bike shack” SEE SHOPS PAGE A2
COURTESY OF THE FORT COUCH POTATOES
The Fort Couch Potatoes embrace the group’s name when riders happen upon a curbside couch.
Local groups attract cyclists of all skill levels By Jill Thurston Staff writer
jthurston@observer-reporter.com
COURTESY OF MT. LEBANON CYCLING & CAFFEINE CLUB
Mt. Lebanon Cycling & Caffeine Club riders take the roads early in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays.
PT officials consider next steps in Rolling Hills Park development By Jon Andreassi
Fallowfield Township native named director of the Frick Pittsburgh Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
SEE PARK PAGE A2
SEE CYCLISTS PAGE A2
By Brad Hundt
Staff writer
Rolling Hills Park may have pickleball, dek hockey and basketball in its future. Members of Peters Township council looked over designs for phase two of the park’s development at a workshop meeting Monday evening. The designs were completed by Pittsburgh-based Gateway engineers. The current proposal would feature five pickleball courts, two basketball courts and a dek hockey rink. There are also plans for a dog park, and restrooms with an attached pavilion.
With sunshine now regularly in the forecast, bike riders are making a “brake” for the outdoors with local cycling groups. “The right time to find out if you fit with a ride group is often early in the season,” said Jim Long, president of the Western Pennsylvania Bicycle Club (WPABC). “(F)or people who are enthusiasts, when the clocks change, the season begins.” WPBC, founded in 1969, offers two ride groups. Fitness enthusiasts can join the ride departing from the Cecil Municipal building at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Long said. The second group, Team Decaf, is split into slower or more fastpaced rides and leaves from Highland Park Reservoir at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. Robin L. Woods works with WPABC and also runs Women at Work Cycling Club. A job loss during the pandemic led to the North Side resident’s decision to retire and begin a new career teaching bicycle safety. Her rides, Woods said, “are at a slower pace” and take place both in city and suburban areas. Mondays at 6 p.m. she leads a group ride starting from the Second Avenue
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
JON ANDREASSI/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Peters Township council met at the Peters Township Community Recreation Center for a workshop meeting to discuss the next phase of Rolling Hills Park development.
WASHINGTON Local business owner stresses importance of native plants PAGE A6 What’s happening, B3
SPORTS Peters Twp.’s McMillon makes dream come true PAGE B1 Real estate transactions, A6
Like many people who acquire a fascination with history, it all started early for Amanda Dunyak Gillen. In the years before she graduated from Charleroi Area High School in 1993, she would travel with her family to historic sites that were within a day’s drive, like the Gettysburg battlefield site or George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, Va. “It’s in my DNA,” Dunyak Gillen explained. And history has also been a part of her day-to-day life for more than two decades. Dunyak Gillen received his-
Amanda Dunyak Gillen
tory degrees from Allegheny College and Duquesne University, and worked for a year at the Senator John Heinz History Center before SEE FRICK PAGE A2
SCHOOL NEWS Four USC teams qualify for Odyssey of the Mind finals PAGE B3 Classifieds, B4-6