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2016 National Bike Challenge

It's that time of the year again: The National Bike Challenge, hosted by People for Bikes, starts May 1st! Last year, we got beat by Cleveland again, so we need to bring that Rust Belt cup back home! It seems that if you signed up last year, you should be set for this year, but it's probably best to double check. For newbies, please go to https://nationalbikechallenge.org/home to sign up. The challenge page can sync up your mileage logged with Strava, Endomondo and a a variety of other fitness apps. You can also log your miles manually. In addition to bragging rights, you can also win individual prizes. They have a few monthly draws in which they give away a bunch stuff. Last year, @neilmd won a year's supply of TP! Also, OTB had a Pedal For Pints promotion during one month, in which you could get a free beer for each badge you earned on the challenge. Let's get crankin'.
chrishent
2016-04-28 15:50:43
Just to add... If you were registered for an automatic feed last year (say through Strava), it's still working. (As evidenced by my rather pathetic ranking for the current month, sadly observable by all.) Cleveland? Feh. Isn't that where they keep setting their rivers on fire? Really? Why would this be good for cyclists? And I would be remiss in not mentioning the Tag-O-Rama team. Do join. It's a small team, but it cranks.
ahlir
2016-04-28 19:49:37
I don't mean to be a negative Nelly, but I know some of those Cleveland riders, and unless something changes dramatically, Pgh may need to be happy that we won that one time. Those people ride like [insert homey metaphor describing something that does A SHITLOAD of something].
edmonds59
2016-04-29 14:39:11
It there even free beer this year?
jonawebb
2016-04-29 14:50:59
I updated my password on the NBC site, but no promises I'm going to keep track like I used to. Nor do I see how I would join an existing group.
stuinmccandless
2016-04-29 16:11:12
Assuming you've registered, and that you're at the home page... Go to: --> Dashboard (link on the top line of the home page) --> Settings (floating around on the right in the blue background) --> My Groups (near the top of the page) --> Spot the "Your Team is ..." panel (do whatever it says) -- You can also join other stuff (like a workplace) [Note: for those of you who would consider leaving your current team (that you joined way back when, for whatever reason), there is a handy "Leave team" link available to simplify your migration.] I too would like to know if there's free beer this year.
ahlir
2016-04-29 17:44:02
Only 218 people logging, so far, out of 2,109 registered riders. No news on OTB Pedal for Pints. Kinda weak, this year, Pgh.
ka_jun
2016-05-12 21:14:13
I don't know what happened to NBC web site but for example my trips to work on May 2, trip to the Oval to help racing, and then trip home did not get pulled from Strava so I had to do it manually. So I decided that I don't care anymore. I log to Strava and this is enough for me.
mikhail
2016-05-13 13:57:12
I am only going to update that site about once every two or three weeks. Meanwhile, I am going to keep an off-line list in a spreadsheet. That's it. I absolutely refuse to drop dozens of dollars into technology so that I can show I'm better than somebody else (and by extension, that this community is better than that community). Half the reason I got into cycling in the first place is that I'm so damned broke half the time. The forerunner to the NBC got me in the regular habit of trying to bike every day I possibly could, and that was good. I was competing against myself. I kept track, I charted my progress, and over time, could show myself and show others just how much I could bike if I put my mind to it. That -- not beer, not prizes, not Cleveland, not Strava king-of-the-mountain badges, not year's supply of toilet paper -- to me is the whole point of this. I have no interest in competition.
stuinmccandless
2016-05-13 14:16:06
Well, they're apparently having problems updating their site (hmm ... have I heard that somewhere before? Around here, maybe?) I have the Strava on my phone and simply start/stop it as needed. I like that I don't have to fiddle with a trip computer or keep notes. I mostly look to those numbers (though more usefully the maps) to keep tabs on things. NBC (and, I guess Strava, one of their sponsors) has the incentive to get things fixed, at which point I would expect everything to magically sync up. But I like instant gratification (at least) as much as anyone; so I see the problem. In the meanwhile like those t-shirts say, "keep calm 🚲 keep cranking"
ahlir
2016-05-13 16:23:54
I haven't actually ridden a bike yet in May. :( Life.
edmonds59
2016-05-16 08:09:08
1 Kindred Cycles 2,246pts 6 riders 2 Thick Bikes 2,173pts 35 riders 3 Team Turbo Tofu 2,046pts 19 riders 4 Team PCRG 1,953pts 32 riders 5 Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club 1,546pts 12 riders 6 Kiku Japanese Restaurant 1,532pts 7 riders 7 PACCSA 1,492pts 14 riders 8 Tag-O-Rama 1,464pts 8 riders 9 Mt. Lebanon Cycling & Caffeine Club MtLCCC.org 1,389 pts 7 riders 10 Koeles Cycing Club 1,343 11 riders
ka_jun
2016-05-16 09:26:20
BTW Does anyone know how to change a team? And is there a local leaderboard that allows to see teams?
mikhail
2016-05-16 10:08:37
To see the leaderboard w/ teams, click on My Advocacy Challenge, then on the icon that says "Teams". Don't know how to change teams, sorry.
ka_jun
2016-05-16 10:21:02
This is a repeat post from earlier, hope it helps: Assuming you’ve registered, and that you’re at the home page… Go to: –> Dashboard (link on the top line of the home page) –> Settings (floating around on the right in the blue background) –> My Groups (near the top of the page) –> Spot the “Your Team is …” panel (do whatever it says) — You can also join other stuff (like a workplace) [Note: for those of you who would consider leaving your current team (that you joined way back when, for whatever reason), there is a handy “Leave team” link available to simplify your migration.]
ahlir
2016-05-16 13:33:45
In my case until after I left the current team I was not able to join another team. Every time I click on the Join button from the new team page I was thrown into registration page. But when I left the current team...
mikhail
2016-05-17 12:24:58
Workplaces 1 Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation: Schenectady, NY 7,225 pts 67 riders 2 The PNC Financial Services Group: Pittsburgh, PA 3,496 pts 93 riders 3 BikePGH: Pittsburgh, PA 3,351 pts 8 riders 4 Confluence: Pittsburgh, PA 3,230 pts 22 riders 5 Google: Pittsburgh, PA 2,907 pts 67 riders 6 University of Pittsburgh: Homestead, PA 2,599 pts 46 riders 7 FedEx Ground: Moon Township, PA 2,184 pts 91 riders 8 Westinghouse Electric Company: Cranberry Twp, PA 1,833 pts 112 riders 9 Duquesne University: Pittsburgh, PA 1,466 pts 59 riders 10 WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff: Pittsburgh, PA 1,025 pts 12 riders
ka_jun
2016-05-19 12:42:32
Schools 1 Carnegie Mellon University: Pittsburgh, PA 5,047 pts 53 riders 2 Duquesne University: Pittsburgh, PA 1,693 pts 11 riders 3 Dickinson College: Carlisle , PA 1,405 pts 5 riders 4 University of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, PA 1,280 pts 19 riders 5 City Charter High School: Pittsburgh, PA 246 pts 4 riders 6 Environmental Charter School: Homestead, PA 88 pts 2 riders
ka_jun
2016-05-19 12:47:43
In another wacky twist, I looked at the leaderboards this morning and saw that in one day I went from 423 to 1547 points ! Yale Cohen went from just over 1000 to over 5000 ! I could be convinced that Yale put that many miles in yesterday but I know I did not. Anyone know what is going on? I also looked for the "leave team" button mentioned by Mikhail but couldn't find it. However, I decided I'm staying with the "Bike Yinzer" team.
fultonco
2016-05-21 06:02:25
I'm collecting all my ride info in a spreadsheet, and will upload it all at once in a few days.
stuinmccandless
2016-05-21 07:29:59
The NBC site... bit like a waterbottle-of-the-month club, isn't it? Anyway, try this: 1) log in; be on your "dashboard" page, which should be a link at the top of wherever you are. 2) Along the left side, go down and find, then click: 2) On the settings page, click: 3) On the My Groups page, click: And, of course, you should then join Tag-o-Rama (and bike).
ahlir
2016-05-21 11:22:34
@Ahlir Thank-you.
fultonco
2016-05-21 11:52:55
I noticed the number issue yesterday...Actually, I did 5570 centimiles. I think they changed the unit from miles to centimiles, so that it would be easier to do centuries...and would encourage more people (and lizards) to ride---they considered starting a tagorama game, but realized it would have the opposite effect.
yalecohen
2016-05-21 16:47:58
"they considered starting a tagorama game, but realized it would have the opposite effect." That made me laugh !
fultonco
2016-05-21 19:45:07
Not exactly National Bike Challenge, but related. As of sometime today, it's no longer possible to map a route using http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/create/ I've been using that for years to figure out how far I've ridden on any given ride. The problem is apparently on MMR's end, and to my uneducated eye, has to do with MMR not paying MapQuest for access to something. All's I want to do is be able to bring up a map of the area, click on a spot, then play connect-the-dots to figure out how far it is from Point A to Point B. * bikemap.net is useless - It does not recognize the Penn Ave contra-flow bike lane. * https://www.plotaroute.com/routeplanner is pretty good, though
stuinmccandless
2016-07-11 22:45:00
I'm having good luck with Endomondo this year.
fultonco
2016-07-12 06:03:20
No free beer=no mile tracking, for me. I'm enjoying the ride instead of tracking. And catching Pokémon.
jonawebb
2016-07-12 06:19:13
Mapmyride seems to be working today. FWIW.
steven
2016-07-12 08:03:33
I still prefer https://ridewithgps.com/routes/new over the others I've messed with. They seem to have more of a commitment to allowing you to get your own data back out, and they're very share/embed friendly.
reddan
2016-07-14 07:17:33
I know there is the pgh vs CLE competition every year but barely see anything about this for 2016. Maybe NBC has lost its luster in Pgh?
edronline
2016-08-13 20:58:38
The current state of affairs (the whole challenge period among communities with 200,000+ residents): 7 PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania 389,468 1557 riders 10 CLEVELAND, Ohio 299,551 1072 riders
mikhail
2016-08-14 04:31:44
radio silence for about 1.5 months.  The challenge is over.  Any idea how Pittsburgh did?  any update on the Rust Belt cup? There seems to be less and less interest year upon year in the Bike Pgh group for this.  At least from what I've seen, or haven't seen, on the message boards.
edronline
2016-09-28 14:25:22
It's not over yet. 2.5 days to go...   For 200,000+...   1 LINCOLN, Nebraska 1,644,495 2463 riders 2 MADISON, Wisconsin 1,509,826 2352 riders 3 MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin 1,016,038 1838 riders 4 MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota 873,767 1430 riders 5 SAINT PAUL, Minnesota 845,235 1492 riders 6 OMAHA, Nebraska 710,194 1369 riders 7 PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania 509,901 1566 riders 8 DENVER, Colorado 434,978 1118 riders 9 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado 400,686 794 riders 10 CLEVELAND, Ohio 398,204 1091 riders  
mikhail
2016-09-28 15:28:45
Ah, yes. I don't think I've checked the NBS site for a while... I've regressed to checking my Strava numbers and trying to keep up with my somewhat ambitious goal for this year (3650 miles!!) I did somehow get ~3500 miles last calendar year and at this point I'm genuinely not sure how I managed. At my current rate I doubt I'll get anywhere close this year. But, hey, it looks like we'll beat Cleveland! Go team! Does that mean they have to pedal down here to deliver the Rust Belt trophy? (And how exactly is that a punishment?)
ahlir
2016-09-28 21:04:25
I never uploaded any of my August data. Didn't even try to collect any for September.
stuinmccandless
2016-09-29 17:29:41
Holy cow that Midwest battle! Almost 6 million bike miles between 3 states, in 4 months. That is spectacular.
edmonds59
2016-09-30 13:05:19
I gave up when it would not allow me to go back more than a few days to record miles.  When I questioned this, I received a reply saying to was to prevent people from "cheating."  I then asked what would prevent someone from just lying but did not get a reply.
helen-s
2016-10-04 13:46:19
Buggy as the main site is/ was I think the integration with Strava worked great.  As an advocate I appreciate it 2 fold. 1. It is one of the most popular cycling apps our there. This makes it easier for people who already use Strava to participate. 2. With actual GPS data the heat maps help show where people are actually riding. The heat maps are super cool and very useful in urban planning in the burgh. If you have not looked at the heat maps do it now. http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#12/-80.02047/40.45792/blue/bike I hope that People 4 Bikes are able to work out the kinks in the challenge and maybe make it into shorter time frame. It is VERY difficult to get people to log miles for a full 5 months.  
unicyclemike
2016-10-04 14:01:23
The Strava link makes participation easy. I use the (free) smartphone app. Once the link is set up you don't need to do any entering. I just checked the site and things continue to sync just fine. As you may know, last year they kept updating through the winter. It was kind of fun to keep tabs on the people who stayed on their bikes. And, hey, if you keep checking maybe it'll motivate you to go year-round if you haven't already. This may be weird, but some of my fonder biking memories are from winter. It's a whole different world out there. No, not the snow. But those crisp sunny days riding through landscapes  you'd never get to see in the summer. Like living in two different worlds.
ahlir
2016-10-04 18:18:07
@unicyclemike, Heatmaps is super cool!  I zoomed in on my street and as I'm the only idiot dump enough to ride up and down my large hill, I can see how I contributed to the map.   If you look at the pittsburgh run heatmap you can very easily trace out the 1/2 marathon course and, to a lesser extent, the full marathon course.
edronline
2016-10-04 19:07:38
one more thing: If you zoom out on the bike heatmap you can see the GAP/C&O until it gets lost in all the DC/Baltimore noise around Haper's Ferry.  very cool.
edronline
2016-10-04 19:11:44
@Helen s I often waited a couple weeks before entering my miles...and a few times went back and edited numbers that were doubled up or when two days were combined into one...From previous years I know that going to a previous month was problematic in some cases, but I think even that was doable...
yalecohen
2016-10-05 00:28:01
As icky as I feel about it, it sounds like I am going to be pushed into using strava. Sounds like it is becoming the norm.
edmonds59
2016-10-05 09:51:13
What ever happened with the pgh vs CLE challenge?   Over the years it gets less and less hype on each side.
edronline
2016-12-08 07:22:43
I think it would be neat if they could relaunch this with a cleaned up interface and piggyback it off a platform that already works well, like Strava. Although the campaign has only been up for a few days, the response so far has been tepid.
edronline
2016-12-08 09:53:50