logo
google_play
app_store
  • News
    • Northside Community Meetings
    • Community Calendar
    • Features
    • Public Safety
    • Police Blotter
    • Sports
  • Government
  • Local Business
  • Arts + Culture
  • Real Estate
  • Marketplace
    • Moments
    • Classifieds
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • News
      • Northside Community Meetings
      • Community Calendar
      • Features
      • Public Safety
      • Police Blotter
      • Sports
    • Government
    • Local Business
    • Arts + Culture
    • Real Estate
    • Marketplace
      • Moments
      • Classifieds
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
‘Tour
Arts + Culture, Editor Picks, Latest Northside News, North Shore, Trails + Travel
admin  
 on April 30, 2020

‘Tour de Quarantine’ the brainchild of Pittsburgh cycling commentator

“Sometimes the internet can be a good, positive place.”

Photo: Brad Sohner, left, creator of the parody ‘Tour de Quarantine,’ provides commentary on a cycling race.

By Ashlee Green

This article was a finalist in the Press Club of Western PA 2021 Golden Quill Awards. (Updated 11/3/2021)

Coronavirus may have put professional cycling on hold indefinitely, but thanks to Pittsburgher Brad Sohner, fans of the sport can once again get their kicks. 

Sohner, a sports commentator, TV producer, and recreational and commuter cyclist who lives Downtown, said in an email that he noticed cycling fans were “pretty down and starving for race action” due to COVID-19-related cancellations, and one day, while he was rewatching old races on TV, he had an idea. He started casually filming bike riders on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, across the river from his window, then added some of his own commentary. With that, Tour de Quarantine was born.  

“It was originally just my voice and video, but I found myself with enough time on my hands to… add graphics, sound effects, and replay,” Sohner said. “It sort of expanded from the original idea and took on a life of its own.” 



Sohner, who has called races such as USA Cycling’s Cyclocross National Championships, COSI Sports’ Tour of China, and Medalist Sports’ Tour of California, said that while he “[tries] to get jokes in when [he] can” during his commentating gigs, “… it’s not always possible, especially on bigger shows.”

“Tour de Quarantine was definitely a deviation from my normal commentating style, but it was a lot of fun to try something new,” he said. “No matter what we’re working on, the job is always to entertain, and I thought cycling fans could use some jokes during a tough time.”

Sohner’s first video in the series, “Tour de Quarantine Stage 1,” already has close to 100 thousand views on YouTube. He said the response blew him away, and while he initially intended to make just one video, he knew he couldn’t stop there. 

“People have reached out from all over the world with really nice messages,” he said. “It’s been kind of an interesting reminder that sometimes the internet can be a good, positive place.” 

Sohner’s planning a new tour soon, and on the hunt for different race locations.

“I think most people are tired of the view from my window,” he said. “I know I am.”

Related posts:

Northside Bicycle Summit raises key questions about citywide mobility

Dirty Dozen bicycle race passes through Troy Hill

“RP Day” includes first CX race in city park

this is a test{"website":"website"}

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

* indicates required
Related Posts
Observatory Hill’s Pride Project not your average educational institution
Arts + Culture, Education, Features, ...
Observatory Hill’s Pride Project not your average educational institution
By admin 
July 19, 2022
Pride Project, Inc. isn’t structured around cut-and-dry goods and services: It aims to fill in the gaps of what a traditional education can provide, t...
this is a test{"website":"website"}
First in-person CCAC graduation since 2019 held at Heinz Field
Education, North Shore
First in-person CCAC graduation since 2019 held at Heinz Field
By admin 
July 14, 2022
There were close to 3,000 candidates for graduation. By Ashlee Green Photos: Gene J. Puskar for CCAC The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) ...
this is a test{"website":"website"}
On the Scene: Fishing Rod Foundation Co.’s ‘Kentucky Derby’ themed fundraiser
Observatory Hill, Photo Gallery
On the Scene: Fishing Rod Foundation Co.’s ‘Kentucky Derby’ themed fundraiser
By admin 
June 21, 2022
A fascinator hat competition was part of the Fishing Rod Foundation Company’s first-ever ‘Kentucky Derby’ themed fundraiser party in Riverview Park on...
this is a test{"website":"website"}
Makeshift community bike repair project building steam in Pittsburgh’s Northside
Allegheny Commons, Allegheny West, Features, ...
Makeshift community bike repair project building steam in Pittsburgh’s Northside
By admin 
June 21, 2022
Free Ride, but for Northsiders. By Ashlee Green Photo: Catch Makeshift at the Northside Farmers' Market on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. Courtesy of Makesh...
this is a test{"website":"website"}
Northside Business Briefs: June 2022
Allegheny City Central, Briefs, Historic Deutschtown, ...
Northside Business Briefs: June 2022
By admin 
June 2, 2022
Stay up-to-date on what’s coming, going, and changing in the Northside business community with The Northside Chronicle’s monthly Northside Business Br...
this is a test{"website":"website"}
Little House Big Art joins two local artists for ‘Spring Hill Pigeon Project’
Arts + Culture, Spring Hill
Little House Big Art joins two local artists for ‘Spring Hill Pigeon Project’
By admin 
May 16, 2022
The ceramic pigeons made by Northside artists Linda Wallen and Ingrid Nagin have become an icon of Spring Hill and its immigrant history. Photo: Artis...
this is a test{"website":"website"}

Donate

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

* indicates required

The Northside Chronicle

thenorthsidechronicle.com
Phone: (412) 321-3919
Email: editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com

About Us

Stay tuned with us

Copyright Northside Chronicle. All rights reserved.