About Bicycles, Riding and Fitness
Welcome to about-bicycles.com and thanks for stopping by!
This website is dedicated to cycling, fitness and passing on good information about Bikes, Bike Accessories, Fitness Bikes and even Bike Trails.
Hi, my name is Rob Chapman. I love bike riding (or cycling if you prefer) and created the About-Bicycles.com website back in 2003.
Initially, I wanted to pass on information about bike types, helpful bike accessories and on Bike Trails in the Chicagoland area. This site became very popular in the following years and was soon reaching thousands of visitors on a daily basis.
I personally believe that staying in shape aerobically is extremely important. Cycling (and walking in the cooler seasons) has worked out very well for me so I like to pass on fun, interesting and helpful fitness information on this to our visitors. Don't underestimate the fun part. That is the part that makes the fitness stuff work better.
About-Bicycles - Latest Posts and Updates
This section is for those of you who have browsed this site before and are looking for the latest updates to this website. The links below are the most recent new pages and updates. The older information will drop off to the archives (below) as newer posts and pages become available.
I have found the recent Electric Bikes popularity to be very interesting. I have just completed two E-Bike reviews on this website with more to come. I have reviewed the practical and comfortable Electra Townie-Go and the Sleek new Cannondale Canvas Electric Bike reviews.
Fox RIver Trail Photo Updates - I have been continuing the updates on the Fox River Trail (FRT) pages to bring them more up to date. The original photos were from 2003! I have a totally new batch of Photo Pages of the North part of the FRT now (from 2020) Here are the NEW FRT photo pages from my Fall 2020 rides:
FRT North Photos1 - Algonquin and Prairie Trail
FRT North Photos2 - Prairie Trail to Dundee
FRT North Photos3 - Dundee, Otto Engineering Park
FRT North Photos4 - Thru Downtown Dundee
FRT North Photos5 - I90 Underpass, Pratt's Castle, Elgin
So the main page is a combination of quite a few time periods now. I always keep the old photos available on this site for historical purposes.
Electric BIkes Sparking up Some Changes - I've noticed a lot of Electric Bikes out on the trails and roads this year and I have been doing some research on them and also updating this website with E-Bikes information since I believe that they are here to stay now and there is a lot of interest in them. In addition to the link above with basic information on Electric Bicycles, I just completed a blog post on the Electric Bike Revolution.
Fox River Trail Detours and Bridge, Tunnel Update - I rode the Fox River Trail south of Elgin to explore the detours and what was going on there. The new page referenced has photos and information about this. I have also completed my initial make-over of the Fox River Trail page and wrote a Blog Post about these Updates on the bike blog on this website..
See Latest_Updates_Archive for older articles. I usually only keep the most recent 5 or 6 articles here on this page but the archives have the older (but still fairly recent stuff) mostly in order.
Cycling Information, Topics and Specialties
With all of the different bike types, riding styles, bike accessories and cycling and fitness information available online, it is difficult for one site to cover it all. Although this site is fairly diverse, the following topics have become our specialties:
Chicago Area Bike Trails 
This site also has a very good selection of Illinois (mostly the Chicago area) and Wisconsin bike trail articles, descriptions, photos and videos in the "Bike Trails" section. Enjoy...
Bicycle Touring and Trails The About-Bicycles Bike Trail pages are filled with tons of great bike trail information and photos. Most (but not all) of the trails in this section are trails that are easily accessible from the Northwest Chicagoland area (Illinois and Wisconsin) since this is where I am from.
Do You Have a Dream? I have had a dream of bicycling across the US for quite a while now. I haven't achieved that yet, but I still hope to. If I do, I will have a lot more states to add to this site.
Exercise Bikes and Cycling Fitness
Exercise Bikes - Get in shape or get ready for bike riding season with Fitness Bikes (Recumbent, Upright, Indoor Cycles, Dual Action Recumbent and Fan Bikes). We have a good selection of stationary bike reviews, best buys and plenty of helpful information.
Bike Trainers - Bike Trainers (or Exercise Bike Stands) are economical and great for training, indoor workouts and staying in shape all year long. See the indoor cycling equipment cost comparisons and recommended online retailers included on this page.
Bike Sales Online
Bicycles Online - Helpful information on bike types, what bike brands are for sale online and and online bike sale resources. Whether you're into mountain bikes, road, recumbent, BMX or hybrid bikes you need the right bike and you don't want to spend half the riding season looking for it.
Kids Bikes - For an excellent selection of kids bikes, kids bike accessories, trikes, bike trailers and more that can be ordered online and delivered to your home or to a store near you.
Online Bike Stores - If you already know what bike type you are looking for, what brands you prefer and the brands that are available online.
Bike Accessories and Supplies
There are quite a few bicycle accessories and bike supplies that you will need or want to have to make your ride nicer, including Bike Bags, Bike Clothing, Lights, Locks, Hydration accessories and Car Racks. See our Bicycle Accessories page for more information and resources on these useful and fun products.
More Helpful Cycling Information and Online Resources
About-Bicycles Bike Blog - See the About-Bicycles Bike Blog for the latest bike accessory and supplies updates, bike trail info and conditions, the latest cycling events, online bike sales, exercise bike and indoor cycling sales, ride info and general cycling topics.
The About-Bicycles Bike blog has nearly 200 registered subscribers and continues to grow in popularity.
Cycling Articles - More interesting cycling information on bike types, bike brands, bike trails and more.
Online Bike Stores - Where to purchase the most popular brand name bicycles online.
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The Ride is the Destination!
For me, there is nothing like a long ride on a beautiful day. I have done a lot of bike miles and have been breaking new personal distance records for many years now. In the process of putting on so many bike miles, I have discovered a lot of information and good resources for bike electronics (GPS and computers), bike supplies (bags, clothes, etc.), bike fitness equipment (stationary bikes and bike trainers) and of course on Chicago area bike trails. I hope that the information and resources on this site will help you find what you are looking for quickly and easily.
When you're riding, you have already reached your destination so go ahead and enjoy it.
Although my personal style of riding is mostly trails and bike paths, a little mountain off-the-road riding, distance riding, pleasure riding and utility riding (just using my bike for quick trips to stores and friends houses, etc), the online resources that I have found are just as valuable for many other cycling styles or preferences.
I have purchased a few bikes and quite a few bike accessories over the years, both online and at local bike shops. It can be difficult and time consuming to find good online resources quickly so I have included references and links to what I have found to be some of the best online resources for bikes and bike accessories.
The site topics below will help you find more helpful information and bike stuff that you may be looking for online fast and easy and will provide you with some useful bicycle reviews, information and tips to make your online trip enjoyable as well.
Remember it's not just good exercise... It's a lot of fun too!
Whether you like the exhilaration of going fast, the tranquility of a winding bike path through the woods or, in the case of indoor cycling, being able to read, listen to music or watch TV while you are getting an excellent aerobic workout, cycling or bike riding (which every you prefer) it is also a lot of fun too.
So, in addition to the information and resources on this site, I have tried to keep the style fairly casual (especially on some of the bike trail and bike blog pages). I hope that you enjoy browsing the site and also enjoy your ride!
Our Exercise Bike and Indoor Cycle Reviews have become very popular over the last few years however there are also other ways to stay fit in the off season.
I also walk and jog outdoors in the winter. When the weather is just not cooperating, I like to stick to a treadmill indoors. For some good information on treadmills See Treadmill eReviews.com.
The photos at the top of this page are (top down) a woman and child on a tandem at Bike the Drive, Chicago and the Deer Grove bike path in Palatime in the fall (chip monk view).