The Origins of Cat Cross Began Over a Decade Ago...

In 2009 I was living in Erie County, working at a local bike shop, and riding endless miles of gravel roads. However, in August of that year I was planning on moving to Brooklyn, and in order to have a last hurrah for my friends, I organized two alleycat races. The first was based on my standard day of riding errands, having a meal, and enjoying all that lake country has to offer. This race encouraged a party pace attitude and finished with a beer soaked gathering along the lake at sunset. The second was an all out stop to stop format, with cryptic instructions that encouraged head to head sprinting, and was organized in conjunction with the Erie Criterium race. With this second alleycat I began experimenting with guiding riders over mixed surfaces in short sections just as a way to test rider's skill. Little did I know, this would be the start of something unique.

While living in New York, I spent a good portion of weekends exploring rail trails in upstate, following small trails through city parks, and riding massive loops through as many boroughs as possible. The day after hurricane Sandy I rode into Manhattan and witnessed just how temporal infrastructure can be.

I left Brooklyn in 2011 and moved to Pittsburgh. In the past decade I've lived in several neighborhoods, commuted via bike to work, and taken every opportunity I have to get dirt under my tires. I was first introduced to Pittsburgh's trail networks by some local MTB crew 'old heads.' A few years were spent walking and riding these trails, using these trails to shorten navigation through our city.

I've discussed the route for Cat Cross 2022 with various individuals, for various reasons, for the past few years. Finally, the cat is out of the bag (so to speak...), and I'm using Cat Cross to show how various levels of ride-able "infrastructure" exist (and have existed for several years) just below the radar. The large majority of Cat Cross 2022 is able to be found on google maps, but without some idea of where trail entrances are you'd be hard pressed to find the specific junctions that make this style of riding so efficient. Leaving behind pavement, escaping the automobile specific infrastructure, to enjoy riding without the hazards of traffic while still making good time through an urban environment.

Bike routes are important. Safer streets for cycling is important. Realizing that their are possibilities outside of dedicated routes is paramount.