Category: Spoke’s Blog

I have a new favorite band. I feel like in many ways I’m very much with the times as I’ve always been sort of fluid when it came to my favorite band. I know guys in their 50s who have the same favorite band they […]

  In late September 1982 I saw The Who in concert on their Its Hard tour. My parents let me skip school so I could go and purchase tickets at the Civic Arena box office. There were 17,200 tickets available and it would sell out […]

When E made a reference during his April 27th performance at Mr. Smalls as “Dad Rock” I got the joke. There were plenty of dads in attendance. And there were also plenty of grand parents. And plenty of Millenials. And plenty of every group in […]

The first time I visited Bicycle Heaven was in the fall of 2011. My book “Around Troy Hill, Spring Hill and Reserve Township” had just been published and we had a book signing at the Penn Brewery. I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but I […]

  You start thinking this time of year, maybe a little bit more than at other times. If you are truly lucky and blessed like I am then you realize the great things in your life. You think about family and challenges and good times […]

I have five bicycles. Some get ridden more than others for sure, but generally speaking they all get put into the rotation. The problem in recent years has been a serious lack of time in putting them to use. I’m hoping to rectify that in […]

All I know is…I’ve ignored Ironspoke for so long that I’m struggling with actually posting something. Anything. Even if it’s wrong. Having a place to craft words and phrases is important to me. I’ve really been spending all of my spare time creating a comfortable, […]

I grew up during a pretty amazing time as it relates to American movies. As a nine year old I distinctly remember sneaking out of my bedroom and into the hallway to listen to the announcement of “Rocky” as the best picture winner of the […]

  It’s too late for me. I’m always telling my kids to be extra careful what they post on line or what they send via text or email. Big Brother is watching. I don’t think anyone even questions that anymore. The data is all too […]

The Dirty Dozen is on the list. No, I’m not referring to a “best of” list of war movies with the most badass actors. I’m referring to the annual bicycle race up Pittsburgh’s 13 steepest hills. And it’s on my list of things to get […]