Dirty Dozen | It's Pittsburgh & A Lot of Other Stuff | A Program by Rick Sebak

It's a one-day bicycle ride around Pittsburgh. It covers 13 very steep hills. It's a test of strength, endurance, biking skills and human perseverance. It's called the DIRTY DOZEN. It was started in 1983 by Danny Chew, his brother and some of their friends. It's now a Pittsburgh tradition and an extraordinary celebration of our city's terrain!

[@DouglasCarnall]

A really great cycling event. That the racing is just uphill (and therefore not antisocially fast) makes the Pittsburgh Dirty Dozen an interesting model for how cycle racing can be fitted into everyday life.

[@mateagoston8145]

I am one rider who loves descending like hell and whilst I fully understand that counting every single metre of the course into the results would perhaps cause major accidents and therefore they only count uphills, I still wonder if I would get told off for not taking those descents at 10 mph but faster haha.

[@DouglasCarnall]

@@mateagoston8145 You don't want to be riding that hard in town surely?

[@mateagoston8145]

@@DouglasCarnall I dunno how hard I would ride downhill, I would need to see the roads themselves with my own eyes to make a judgement, which won't happen anytime soon since I am located in England. I ride bikes for several years and apart from me crashing a very small handful of times, I can't remember a single occasion when I would have endangered anyone with a close call, so I am brave enough to say that my judgement is precise.

[@Griverforlove6543]

hahaha the screaming guy 17:37

[@tigergreg8]

Can’t wait, I can watch it out my 3rd story window at the bottom of Center Avenue

[@WQED]

That sounds like a great view!

[@benkrauss5041]

Crazy to see Danny Chew pre-injury here!

[@Chris-0703]

“We’re so lucky to have the roads we have” LOL, possibly the first and last Pittsburgher to ever say that

[@WQED]

Pittsburgh roads are certainly a highly-debated topic!

[@tigergreg8]

Aside from some potholes, we have some of the most fun roads to drive and bike on. I lived for a time where it was mostly flat, I was so glad to come home.

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

@3:19 "it takes 150 'ponds' of bananas...." LOL that's a native Pixburgher right there.

[@YaJagoff]

:) my legs hurt just watching this thing!

[@ladonna1902]

I know that you have to be in some damn good shape to do that type of race. I'm from Detroit and it's as flat as a pancake here. The closest I'll get to a hill is the the uphill setting on a treadmill. I wonder if stationary bikes have Dirty Dozen settings on them.

[@CP-os1pc]

Love the Burgh

[@bonn1771]

love it

[@cruefan410]

The Tour De Yinz

[@doegrady5087]

What about Capital Ave in Brookline?

[@trumphatesyou]

I don't even like driving on Rialto

[@WQED]

Always an adventure driving on Rialto St!

[@farmcentralohio]

25:12 wonder how long it took her to figure out that she didn't win lol

[@SabianDB02]

how many miles is this route?

[@WQED]

Hi Sabian! The route is typically about 50 miles.

[@ElectronicPleasure]

Hills.... Come to Scotland.

[@ElectronicPleasure]

Why? your cycling and there is plenty single track. static.panoramio.com/photos/original/95015636.jpg :) 2013 Fort William to Kinlochleaven.

[@danfinnegan5604]

The problem with Scotland is that it's full of Scots.

[@ez7977]

Not as steep as the ones in Pittsburgh. Canton Ave, steepest hill in the world, 37%. Boustead, 30%, Welsh to Holt 20% + at 3/4 mile long.

[@SavingCommunitiesDS]

The only people who think Scotland is hilly came from England.

[@redetrigan]

Is there a reason the race isn't held in warmer weather?

[@ladonna1902]

That type of race would probably be too hard on the riders when it's hot. I wouldn't want to ride a bike up a hill in hot 90 degree weather. Those riders are probably out there sweating in that cold weather.

[@rubaiyatu]

The 2019 DD was moved to the end of October, hoping to get nicer weather (it rained).

[@ihsan2309]

what cassette did stevo use?

[@chrismayhew3608]

ihsan2309 12-27

[@xsteevox]

Hi - I would generally use compact gearing with a 34x26. Now that I am old I go WAAAAAY lower and WAAAAY slower!!!

[@ihsan2309]

@@xsteevox i wonder what did you use 6 years ago when I wrote the question comment? 🤔🤣