Biking to Parkway Center Mall

Go past Phipps Conservatory and get onto the Blvd. of the Allies heading toward downtown. Make the first left turn possible, at Parkview Avenue, and at the stop sign take another left onto Swinburne Street. Go past the Sestili Nursery and follow the winding road until it ends at the stop sign. Turn right onto Greenfield Avenue, go to the stoplight at the bottom of the hill, and go straight, under the train tracks, and turn right onto Second Avenue.

Proceed on Second Avenue toward downtown. Cross the Monongahela River on your favorite bridge: most likely the Brady Street Bridge or the Smithfield Street Bridge. (Note: At the time of this writing, the Smithfield Street Bridge is closed, but the sidewalk is open.) Turn right onto Carson Street and follow it all the way to the West End Bridge.

At this point you must negotiate a somewhat tricky traffic situation. Follow the signs to Route 60 North by making a left turn at the stoplight just past the West End Bridge. After making the left turn, stay in the leftmost lane and make another left turn. After a short distance follow the road by turning to the right. You are now on Main Street, which is also Route 60. You will go through a few stoplights in a business district, and at the last stoplight turn left onto Wabash. A bit further ahead follow the main road by turning right onto Green Tree Road. After a somewhat punishing 0.9-mile climb, turn left into Parkway Center. To find the mall, follow the main road and turn right when you see Chi-Chi's restaurant. There is a cart return station outside Phar-Mor at which you can lock your bike.

If you're into speed, you'll like the descent of Green Tree Road on the way back. You should be able to exceed the 35 mph speed limit without pedaling. Just be careful of the slightly rough curves near the bottom. (But please, BE CAREFUL!!! This can be very dangerous.)

Total distance: 9-10 miles.

(Thumbnail picture of Jim) Written by Jim Stichnoth / stichnot@cs.cmu.edu