Bike Posse

Strava Rocks! Review of a Great Tool for Tracking and Sharing Your Performance

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:16:00 +0000

After years of trying several mobile applications and web services to track my rides, I failed to find one worth the effort to use consistently.

Then I found Strava. Strava has made my workouts and commutes ten times more effective and fun. Do yourself a favor, and start using it - now.

How does Strava do it? Strava makes it drop-dead simple to accurately track your times, workout statistics, and relative performance versus friends and fellow riders/commuters. Strava uploads data directly from your smartphone or Garmin GPS device and auto-magically calculates informative metrics and useful graphics: First, Strava maps and calculates vital statistics (including a “Suffer Score”) for each of your rides and runs:

When I first started uploading my rides and saw the low Suffer Scores, I realized I was not pushing myself enough to improve and reach my potential. One of the coolest things about Strava is that it gives you a sense of how your ride stacks up versus prior rides on the same segment:

Strava also calculates your standing versus other riders on the same segment/commute. It’s a great way to encourage friendly competition and community with your riding and commuting friends.

Strava also recently started offering tracking tools for runners. I have found Strava’s recently introduced tools for runners just as simple-to-use and informative as the cycling tools. Below is an example of a lazy run/walk – as you can see from the stats.

Any downside to Strava? The iPhone application is currently limited, but there is a new version in Beta that promises significant improvement. My Garmin gathers more data (heart-rate, etc.) and more accurate positioning information than my iPhone , so I find I only use the iPhone app as a mobile supplement for the full online version of Strava. But this may change as the mobile application improves.

Chicago Remembers 9/11

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:43:00 +0000

View from the bike commute on the Riverwalk.

Sunrise on the Bike Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Chicago Bike Commute Challenge: June 11-17

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:53:00 +0000

The Chicago Active Transportation Alliance's Bike-to-Work Challenge is next week (June 11-17).
Bike pit stops with free snacks and coffee will be set up throughout the Chicago metro area.
Employers will be highlighted for their bike-commute participation rates, and the employers with the highest participation rates will be eligible for prizes.
More details are available on the Chicago Active Transportation Alliance website.

The following are some of the benefits you could enjoy from bicycling to work:

• Weight loss: Studies have shown that the average bicycle commuter loses 13 pounds in the first year with no substantial change to their diet.
• Better health: Cycling 5 miles a day reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 50% and anxiety, stress and depression are also found to be reduced
by regular exercise. Regular cyclists enjoy a fitness level equivalent to being 10 years younger.
• Lower travel costs: The typical annual operating cost of a bicycle is 2.25% that of the yearly cost of an automobile.
• Environmental responsibility: By cycling to work, you are helping to lower the pollution level and traffic congestion in the Chicago metro area.

If you are a CCC empolyee and you bike in to work next week (even if it's just to your local Metra or el stop), please email me so I can tally our overall results and send to the Chicago Active Transportation Alliance.

Evanston Gets Stimulus-Funded Bike Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 17 May 2011 05:37:00 +0000

As the sign at the Democratic Party of Evanston read back in 2008, Evanston "Ba-Rocks" for Obama. And Obama payed Evanston back with stimulus funding for a fantastic re-make of the lakefront bike trail.

Hope they also have some separated and/or shoulder trails for pedestrians like the Lakefront Trail in the City. Maybe it's my imagination, but I think it's cut at least 5-10 minutes off my commute through Evanston. Way to go Evanston!

Bike Posse Road Trip: Portland and Seattle

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:08:00 +0000

This weekend was the Seattle Livestrong 100.
Certainly, there is no better way to kick off Summer right than a seven-hour bike ride careening down hills through frigid rain under grey skies.

But first to Portland to pick up friends and visit with my brother-in-law's family.
Grey weather got you down?
Portland has got the solution:

Hungry after Portland's World Naked Bike Ride?
Try a Voodoo Donut...

My favorite donut from Voodoo Donuts is the Gay Bar: a long-john filled with cream, and covered with vanilla frosting, Froot Loops, and sprinkles. Outside of select PC-zones such as Evanston and Ann Arbor, the average 10-11 year-old here in the Midwest uses the word gay as slang for lame. The majority of Midwestern 10-11 year-old boys would not be caught dead ordering a Gay Bar. But my nephew just looks at the donuts and announces in a loud, matter-of-fact way: Yeah..I'll have the Gay Bar please. Not self-conscious at all about it.

Seattle has it's own excitement.
Here is a friendly native offering kissing lessons in downtown Seattle:

No. Lance did not show at the Seattle Livestrong 100.
Yes. I did survive, and for the first time, I made it up Cougar Mountain.

Chicago Bike to Work Week: June 14-18

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Chicago Bike-to-Work Week runs June 14-18.

Bikers can enjoy a free coffee and pastry from ING Direct Cafe each day June 12-18th between 7am-10am. ING Direct Cafe is at 21 East Chestnut (corner of Wabash).

For bike-to-work tips, you may want to visit Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips or watch this video.

Nobody Walks in LA - But Now Some Angelenos Bike...

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:41:00 +0000

Visual proof: people do bike commute in LA.
Lots of them! I saw a ton of bike commuters all over LA last week.
You could almost say there are swarms of them in Venice, Santa Monica, and West LA.
As a former Angeleno myself, I was pleasantly surprised to see bike culture taking root here in the epicenter of American car culture.

Nice bike lanes, too. This is Main Street in Santa Monica.

Winter Riding

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

OK. Chicago's Winter Bike to Work day came and went, and everyone gave me heat for not riding dressed like a Winter Warlock in the ice and snow. I am told there is no excuse, only failure. Of course, most of the folks telling me this bike only in Summer - maybe three days a week from Wicker Park to the Loop. No matter that I live three blocks from the L, and that the L stops literally in my building. No matter that I have young children and a wife who would put an end my biking days if I hurt myself biking in the snow.

So with the intense peer pressure, and the temps starting to creep back up to 30-ish, I just bought some sale-priced half-lobster gloves and think I might give this Winter thing a try. Gear junkie has some tips on Winter riding here: http://gearjunkie.com/winter-bike-commuting-10-tips-to-ride-safe .

Easy to say as I sit in California for the week. Harder to do. Will report back next week.

Perfect day to ride

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Even some fun fog for you. Get out and ride!

Bike Posse Travels to Portland

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:22:00 +0000

Visiting Portland, Oregon today... seen a few things that Chicago can learn from Portland.

For one thing, I have not seen any major pot-holes marring the many bike lanes. Seattle was the same way when I rode the Seattle Livestrong Century a month ago.

Also.. take a look at these lane markers on the Hawthorne Bridge.
Maybe something like this could keep clueless pedestrians and tourists on the right of the crowded lakefront path in Chicago.

Trail Conditions at Navy Pier

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:23:00 +0000

Perfect again. 65 and sunny. Winds WNW 5-10mph.

New Stretch of Riverwalk Open - Wabash to Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:46:00 +0000

If you have to commute East/West through downtown, then this is good news.
The Riverwalk now extends West of Michigan Avenue to Wabash with a ramp that easily gets you to the corner of Wacker and Wabash. Looks like this is just a down payment - as it will also shortly extend to State Street. This is a great alternative to Illinois, Randolph, and other East/West streets.

Lakefront Trail Conditions - Sheridan at Baha'i

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:38:00 +0000

Perfect. Sunny. 64F. No wind yet. Get out and ride to work!

Lakefront Trail Conditions - Diversey

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:26:00 +0000

Beautiful. 8:20am. 61 F. Winds 5-10mph W. No excuses today.

Higher Gear Wilmette - Will They Re-open?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:23:00 +0000

Higher Gear Wilmette closed temporarily about a month ago.
To my knowledge, it has not been open since.

Sad story - sounds like the owner/founder (John Olin) passed away. His obituary in The Tribune mentioned that he was in the middle of a divorce. This may complicate matters as well.

The store is/was a *great* resource.
It gives the first impression of being pricey - as the store had lots of high-end bikes and gear. But the store is/was quite reasonable in terms of pricing on bikes, gear, and service. And I found them to be one of the most knowledgeable and helpful stores around. They still have a store in Highland Park, but that's a hike from the City, Evanston, or Wilmette.

Does anyone know if they will re-open?

Lakefront Trail Conditions - Greenleaf Street Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:29:00 +0000

65 degrees F at 7:30am. Sunny. Winds NNW 5-10mph. Gorgeous.

Thursday Bike Posse Breakfast - Wishbone on Washington

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Join us for a Thursday Bike Posse Breakfast (July 16) at Wishbone.
Wishbone offers a 15% discount for bikers who bring their helmet, and
has great outdoor seating.
Weather is supposed to be 80 and sunny.
Hope we'll see you there.

You can RSVP by first "joining the posse" at this link.
Then return to this post and hit the "I'm going" button when it appears below.

If the weather gets ugly, I'll propose another day.

Lakefront Trail Conditions - Waveland

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Perfect. 67 F. Light wind 2-5mph E.

Join the Posse

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:08:00 +0000

Escape the grind of your daily commute.
Bike your drive.

Hit the "Join this Site" button below to sign up and join our posse of bike commuters. Joining the posse will allow you to sign up for Bike Posse rides (biker breakfasts, group rides, etc.). You will also get regular updates about Bike Posse events.

New Bike Lanes along Sheridan in Wilmette

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:40:00 +0000

Wilmette finished Sheridan for 4th of July weekend with bike lanes, brick crosswalks, and new art deco lighting. So now the question is.. why should the bike lanes end at Isabella? Come on Evanston.. are you going to let Wilmette be more green than you?

Lakefront Trail Conditions - Evanston

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:59:00 +0000

Perfect. 64 F. Winds 5-10mph ENE.

Evanston Lakefront Trail Conditions

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:54:00 +0000

7am. 60 degrees F. Winds 3mph W. Get out and ride!

Lakefront conditions - Beautiful outside Metropolis on Granville

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:44:00 +0000

7:45am. Sunny. 66 F. Winds 15mph WSW

Lakefront Trail Conditions - Gorgeous

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Sunny. 71 F. Winds 5-10mph WNW. Perfect for riding. 8am.