Move through this roundup of our most outdoorsy podcast episodes

Move through this roundup of our most outdoorsy podcast episodes

These interviews with Pittsburghers are perfect socially distant walking companions

by Stephanie Brea | September 9, 2020

Here is a round-up of episodes from our podcast where we talk about exploring the great outdoors in and around Pittsburgh.

Do you know who Marshall “Major” Taylor was?

Meet Shequaya Bailey, president of the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club. The PMTCC is a nonprofit dedicated to “bringing the joy and health benefits of cycling to Pittsburgh’s inner city urban neighborhoods.” Bailey shares the history of the club and a little about its namesake Major Taylor; she explains the group’s monthly slow roll rides that are open to all (even someone without a bicycle thanks to an arrangement with Healthy Ride).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD9k6tijbqT/

Sure the calendar page flipped to September, but the waves didn’t stop.

Meet Ian Smith, founder and lead guide of SurfSUP Adventures. His stand-up paddleboarding experiences allow you to safely get out on the water while remaining socially distant. He has a perfect record of getting people to balance and stand on the boards, too. Oh, and he even paddleboards in winter!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6dqDVSBMk4/

No kayak? No problem.

Christine Iksic of 3 Rivers Outdoor Company wants to make it easy for everyone to explore the outdoors. 3ROC offers used gear, some equipment rental, and group outings. In this episode Iksic shares some of her favorite spots. If you are unsure of where to start, consider this episode a trail marker.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2L1ZpDZFT/

Want an excuse to wear your “good” undies in public?

Meet Scott Kowalski organizer of the Pittsburgh Underwear Bike Ride. Learn more about the ride’s body positivity message and Kowalski’s tips for exploring the city on two wheels. There are some modifications due to COVID-19, but the monthly ride is still on for their 2020 season.

Looking to explore a different neighborhood?

Meet Laura Zurowski. She shares how “Pittsburgh Steps: The Story of the City’s Public Stairways” by Bob Regan led to her quest to climb and document all the flights of stairs in Pittsburgh. If you are inspired to hike some stairs after listening, Zurowski now offers “Simply Steps: A City Steps Tour of Troy Hill and Spring Garden” through Walk the Burgh Tours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4CLAnD_uL/

Stream original series on the Very Local app

What is Very Local?

Very Local is your best source for shows about local communities, bringing you 24/7 access to news from your trusted local news source, weather updates, and more. The Very Local app also brings you fresh, untold stories from your city and communities like yours, with exclusive original shows and local stories specific to where you live. Get the channel to stream Very Local free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.

Follow Very Local on Facebook and @VeryLocal on Instagram for more

Stephanie Brea

Stephanie has been organizing events since 1998, starting with a series of motorcycle rides through the Arizona desert to support her father’s business. She’s probably crossed your name off a presale ticket list or served you a beer somewhere around town.

An undergrad degree in poetry means she has lots of unpractical knowledge about iambic pentameter, while a brief stint as a copy editor for Alternative Press taught her that twenty one pilots is stylized in all lowercase letters.

Wanna throw a party in a vacant parking lot? She’s interested.

At the onset of COVID-19, Stephanie took on the role of podcast producer for The Slaw. She’s pretty familiar with a microphone, thanks to that aforementioned poetry degree, and she’s got the wherewithal to ask Epicast Studios for help. She listens to too many true crime podcasts, and currently records from her bedroom.

If you know of someone who would be the perfect podcast guest, send her an email.