• Length and time: Many people find it difficult to estimate walking distances but are much more aware of walking times.  One mile takes an average person about 30 minutes at a slow, ambling pace on a good, flat surface, and about 20 minutes at a brisk pace. Once you've built up a reasonable level of fitness you should find level walks of up to one hour are just as easy!

• Path Surface:  Flat, hard, well-drained path surfaces are the easiest and fastest for walking.  Uneven or sticky surfaces like gravelly ground, mud or sand can easily slow you down.  Irregular terrain should be avoided by people with bone and joint problems, and while artificial surfaces like concrete and tarmac are excellent for pushchairs or wheelchairs, many walkers find them hard on the feet. 

• Slope:  Walking uphill is more challenging than walking on a level surface: walking up a 15% slope requires about a third more energy than walking on a flat surface. The best way to walk uphill is to maintain the same pace but take shorter steps, which decreases your speed.

• Load:  Heavy loads are harder to carry than lighter ones, so reduce the weight you carry before walking without getting rid of essential things.  Things that are important to carry while walking include water, a map (if in a remote area), and first aid equipment. Make sure to bring a bag for trash as well.

For more information please visit: http://www.chicagowalks.org or to explore Chicago wilderness visit: http://www.chicagowilderness.org/explore/do/hike/index.cfm.

Pace Vanpools
How much do you spend to operate your car? Between payments, gas, maintenance, and insurance, the cost of driving is expensive.  Being a Pace Vanpool Incentive Program (VIP) participant may cost you as little as half the amount you are spending to commute! Vanpooling is an economical, convenient and environmentally-friendly alternative to driving alone.

Pace Vanpool Finder
Find a Vanpool in your area.

Share the Drive
Simply fill out the registration forms with you name, home and work addresses, work schedule and other preferences and we'll instantly provide you with a list of people you can share the drive with.

eRideShare
eRideShare.com is a FREE service for connecting commuters, or travelers going the same way. We hope that you'll find this service a good way to commute or travel inexpensively, and maybe even make a few friends. Thanks for making eRideShare.com the top carpool and cross-country rideshare site in the US and Canada!

I-GO Car Sharing
I-GO is a not-for-profit organization and has operated car sharing services in Chicago since March 2002.  Car sharing is a proven transportation alternative. Become a member and reserve a car whenever you need one.