A good night’s sleep can set the tone for the next day. We all know sleep is important, so why not get the most out of your snooze sessions?

If you often find yourself waking up on the idiomatic “wrong side of the bed,” then these tips and tricks are for you.

De-clutter

There’s a certain peace of mind a cleanroom brings. When you’re in a slumber, you’re probably not paying any mind to heaps of clothes on the floor, but it’s one less thing you’ll worry about while falling asleep or waking up.

Everyone knows how much time is already spent dwelling on work and chores, so why let another thing enter the mix? Startup a favorite playlist and put those clothes where they belong.

Clean

For quality sleep, you’ll want fresh air and no dust. Bust out the vacuum for your carpet or a broom or mop for hardwood floors. Don’t forget about any fan blades, HVAC filters, and high shelves.

If you have allergies or asthma, then your immune system will thank you. Cordless hand vacuums work wonders for higher up surfaces, so add one to your cleaning arsenal if you want a good dust buster.

Wash

Slipping into a bed made up with fresh linens is bliss. The sheets smell wonderful and the comforter is cozy! It really is amazing how much satisfaction stems from something so attainable.

But most things are easier said than done, so washing linens and making a bed requires some diligence. The good news is if you take the first step of throwing your linens in the wash, then it forces your hand on the drying and folding steps. After all, if your sheets are wet, where will you sleep?

Aside from linens, see if your windows need a wash as well. Grime builds up throughout the seasons, and although it might not make its way inside, it diminishes the morning light which can help people wake up.

There you have it. It’s something we’re all familiar with but often overlook. Don’t let it take up your whole day; just start small and do one thing at a time. We hope you can rest easy with these tips!

Over the last few years, Pittsburgh’s cycling scene has blossomed. In fact, the city drafted a plan in which 120 miles of new bike paths will be added in the next decade!

There has never been a better time for cycling around town. Whether you’re interested in leisurely exploring your neighborhood, using your bike to get you to work, or trying out cycling as a new exercise routine.

Get started and join the cycling community by visiting these bike shops in and around Shadyside. Then once you’re all geared up, check out some of Pittsburgh’s best bike trails.

Bike Shops around the Shadyside Community

Trek Bicycle Pittsburgh Shadyside

If you’re partial to Trek bikes, then this is where you should shop. Be it a road bike, mountain bike, electric bike, or kid’s bike – Trek in Shadyside has it all.

They have rentals available if you’re just looking for a one-off ride or if you’re with a friend without a bike. Already have a bike, but looking for an upgrade? Trade-in a bike for store credit and just pay the difference. Are kids growing too fast? Trek has a program for trading up bike sizes according to your kids’ needs. How cool and convenient is that!

Free Ride Pittsburgh

This Point Breeze spot is another DIY oriented bike shop so you can learn your way around your bike. The Free Ride Pittsburgh shop is community-run, so hours will depend on volunteer schedules. Check their website and Facebook page for hours.

Hours may be especially limited due to COVID-19, but keep an eye out for donation drives and used bike sale events. These donation drives result in tons of donated bikes and parts people can buy when the used bike sales come around. Check it out and find some great deals.

Photo Credit: Free Ride Pittsburgh Instagram

BikeTek

This Squirrel Hill shop carries bikes from a few different brands. You’ll find bikes here in addition to your standard mountain, road, and hybrid bikes. Speaking of hybrids, BikeTek has a great selection you can find online or in-store during their hours. See their website for up-to-date info on hours of operation.

Kraynick’s Bike Shop

This shop is a Pittsburgh staple. It’s not your traditional bike shop where you find what you want, pay, and be on your way. Kraynick’s Bike Shop is a one-stop-shop for learning all about the mechanics, maintenance, and repairs of your bike.

You’ll find die-hard bike mechanics volunteering and sharing knowledge with patrons looking for new assemblies and repairs. There are 10 work stations with all the tools you need for getting your bike up and running. It’s free of charge, but patrons are encouraged to buy replacement parts from the shop.

Photo Credit: Kraynick’s Bike Shop Instagram

Healthy Ride PGH

Healthy Ride has bike-share locations all over town where you can pick up bikes and drop them off at any of the 113 designated stations. Head over to their website or download the app and register, then you can grab a bike whenever and virtually wherever you please. You can pay as you go for $2 for every 30 minutes, pay $12 per month for unlimited 30-minute rides, or pay $20 per month for unlimited 60-minute rides.

Now you know where you can get your wheels, so hit one of these excellent bike routes.

Bikeable Areas Near Shadyside and More

Frick Park Trails

If you like immersing yourself in nature, then don’t miss Frick Park’s trails. You’ll find miles of bike trails suited for different experience levels and biking styles. Try Roller Coaster Trail for thrilling downhill mountain biking or head down to the Monongahela River on Nine Mile Run Trail for a longer ride. Frick Park info and maps here.

Great Allegheny Passage

Want an even longer ride? The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile path stretching from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. From there you can connect to the C & O Canal Towpath which stretches another 184.5 miles until you find yourself in our nation’s capitol. Much of the Great Allegheny Passage follows what were once railroad routes, so you can count on mostly flat riding. This picturesque trail takes you through many of Pennsylvania’s scenic gems. For a nice day-ride, park on the Waterfront and take the trail down to Boston, PA. Explore to your heart’s content before heading back. Great Allegheny Passage info and maps here.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail

For Pittsburgh city-centric cycling, check out this series of trails lining the three rivers. You’ll see superb views of the point from various angles as well as spectacular sunsets if you time it right. Ride for leisure or as part of your work commute on the 24 miles this trail offers. Three Rivers Heritage Trail info and maps here.

Our Shadyside Community

We can’t forget to mention our very own neighborhood. This scenic, tree-lined community is one of the most bikeable areas in Pittsburgh!

Plus, with hundreds of local shops and eateries, there’s always a unique place to stop for rest or to grab a bite to eat. Here at Franklin West, many of our apartments have bike storage available for our residents, too.

Whether you’re looking for bikes used or new, road or mountain, for rent or for sale, you’ll surely find a nearby shop or trail that fits your needs. Visit BikePGH’s website for a comprehensive map of biking trails throughout Pittsburgh.

Our Shadyside community and local businesses are finding creative ways to enjoy some of our favorite events this summer. Restaurants are making space on sidewalks or parking lots, vendors are moving inventory outside, and more transactions are becoming cashless.

We do miss our usual concerts, sports, restaurants, and museum outings, but fortunately, other things are popping up. In particular, Think Shadyside is coming in clutch with a brand new summer event: the Shadyside Summer Sampler.

It’s the community celebration of the summer that’s set to take place on August 12 – 16 all throughout Shadyside from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM each day. You can expect participation from over 40 businesses right here in Shadyside for the Sidewalk Sale. Shopping for excellent deals and supporting small businesses is bound to work up an appetite. Many local eateries will have food and drink specials for you to enjoy.

This summer celebration doesn’t end there. The Shadyside Summer Sampler will also host several fun games. Plus, whenever you need a little break, you can relax and listen to live Jazz performances. Feeling lucky? This inaugural Shadyside Summer Sampler is sponsored by UPMC and the URA and includes various promos and giveaways.

Think Shadyside calls The Summer Sampler the “first, socially-distanced event of the summer”, so hopefully there will be more like it coming soon. Keep in mind, the entire event is subject to state safety regulations, so carry on practicing social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing, and wearing your mask. Help keep Shadyside safe and support this terrific community event!

Save this event in your calendar or head over to the official Facebook event page where you can mark going or interested. Either way, Facebook will send you a reminder about the event. Share it with your friends and neighbors too so they know all the details. Visit the Think Shadyside website for more announcements and for the full schedule of events!

Photo Credit: Think Shadyside