Pittsburgh Mayor to Celebrate NBG Nick and Troy!!

07-09-2004, 06:37 AM

Troy Bogdan and Nick Hein completed their ride in from Washington DC
yesterday and stayed busy rattling cages, as you will see below, for
the rally that will take place at 12:30 there today. And a worthy rally
it will be! Just got off the phone with Ro Fischer, Mayor Tom Murphy's
Sr. Aide, and she tells me that there is now way her boss is going to
miss the event. THX to Michael Sobkowiak of Venture Outdoors, the
local TV, radio and newspaper all plan to be there to receive Nick and
Troy who will have symbolically ridden back into town from the Trailhead
joined by a crowd of local cyclists that could even include the Mayor's
daughter. A police escort will usher them to City Hall!!
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D.C. to Pittsburgh, Bicycle Rally Today! Newspaper!!

Good morning everybody,
Looks like I (Troy) made the local newspaper, or at least online, since
I haven't read it in person yet. Being the local boy, I guess that is
why I was mentioned by name, and not Nick. Anybody have any press
contacts in Morgantown W.V. (Nick's Home Town)????

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Also, last night I went to a bar on the South Side (Our official
celebration H.Q. is at the Holiday Inn Express on the South Side, next
to the 10th St. Bridge) called "Smokey Joe's", where there was a
promotional party set up to cheer on Lance Armstrong of the United
States Postal Team's "Tour De France" race. There were many cyclists in
the audience, and they were having giveaways, and an endurance contest
to see who could ride a stationary bike the fastest in 102 seconds. The
radio station D.J. that was running the event was from local rock
station 102.5 WDVE, one of the sponsors for last night's event.

We promoted the NGB Mayor's Ride and Rally on the microphone, and the
crowd cheered us on and hopefully we will get some of them to attend
either today's trail ride, and/or Market Square Rally.

By the way, Rudy from "CycleWorks" was at the event last night, and we
want to give him a Big Thank You. His bike shop along the trail in
"Little Boston," PA. really helped us out by fixing Nicks recumbent bike
when he lost his brakes along the trail. THANK YOU CYCLEWORKS!!!!!!
They also have a bike shop in Monroeville, and best of all, Rudy donated
his time and services to the NGB cause, and didn't charge Nick for the
repair, nor the shuttle to the Monroeville store to get a special
part!!!! THANKS RUDY!!!!

Cycleworks gave away a Trek Mountain Bike last night to the biker who
went to farthest distance in 102 minutes on the bike. Both of us NGB
bikers tried to win it. First, I started off real strong, making that
rear tire hum like a machine, but half way through the trial, I popped
the chain, much to the sadness of the crowd. I did get a second chance,
out of fairness, but I never recovered my strength. I won a consolation
prize of a "Outdoor Life Network" t-shirt and a Trek/USPS Water Bottle.

Nick was next, and he put in a good enough ride to earn third place, and
won a new helmet.
The second place person received a POWERBAR duffel bag, and the winner
got to take home the bike last night. It was fun!!!!!!

Today is the big day. We plan on starting out this morning, riding the
river trails in the city, promoting the rally today, and then meeting at
the Eliza Furnace (Jail Trail) Trail at 11:00 in preparation for the
rally.

Remember, the first twenty bikers at the trailhead will get a free
t-shirt, courtesy of our Venture Outdoors sponsor, and then we will ride
to celebration at Market Square at Noon, with a 12:20 scheduled arrival
and Mayor's Ceremony. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.

From Pittsburgh's South Side, Reporting Live, Troy Bogdan, NBG Bio:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
p

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Good morning,
Just wanted to let you know that we got NBG on another local radio
channel last nite. Cycleworks, a local bikeshop chain, was putting on a
party last nite with a local radio DJ (FM 102) broadcasting live while
coverage of the Tour de France was shown on TV. After showing up and
introducing ourselves we were given a few minutes to explain NBG to the
radio audience and invite local riders downtown for the proclamation
signing. The night's party game was a resistance trainer. The rider to
go the farthest distance in 102 seconds would win a Trek mountain bike.
Troy and I both gave it a shot. On Troy's first turn the chain fell
off, and when he tried again he was unable to place. As I got on I
decided to give it everything I had since I was riding for NBG. This
was enough to tie me for first place with 2 other riders (who looked to
be about half my age of 47). I place 3rd in the final runoff, but the
timer came over to let me know how close it had been. First and third
places had average speeds of 41.7 and 41.5 mph respectively.

Anyway, I think we can expect a pretty good turnout tomorrow - I'd like
to thank Rudy of Cycleworks and Radio Station FM 102 for the
opportunity. By the way, I met Rudy because of a mechanical breakdown
and I also want to thank him for the exceptionally quick, careful repair
and logistical assistance that got me back on the road with Troy without
any delay.

Hope to see some of you at noon,
From the road,
Nick Hein
Morgantown, WV. NBG Bio:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]