My Favorite Thing is Monsters 1 (5 Photos)
Five photos from CBA’s My Favorite Thing is Monsters map
Guided Rides
Sign up for half/full day custom bike rides through Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Sights you could see on a CBA guided ride
Check out CBA Maps and the blog for more inspiration
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Guided Rides
For CBA's custom neighborhood bike rides contact: Steve@chicagobikeadventures.com...
CBA Bike Tours
All CBA rides are custom planned according to riders' responses to the pre-ride questionnaire. However, we do have some pre-planned general tours to get people thinking.
Airbnb Reviews
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I had few expectations since I’d never done a bike tour before. And, I was a little nervous about riding in the road in downtown Chicago, but Steve put me... read more quickly at ease with his years of experience and a well thought out route which included quiet streets and some non-motorized paved paths (just gorgeous). I also learned quickly how bike friendly Chicago is with well-marked lanes and even some protective barriers.
Not only did the short, interests survey Steve sent me help to inform our trip, but he was very flexible in adjusting to accommodate my desires along the way. The scenery, architecture, views, landscapes, gardens and stories were fantastic.
Steve is extremely knowledgeable, easy-going and funny. Not only did I have a great time and get some exercise, but I have far deeper understanding and appreciation for Chicago’s history and changing cultural landscape.
If I’m in the area, I’d love to ride with him again!
H
May 23, 2021 -
An incredible way to see the City! Winding through alleys, neighborhood streets and parkways Steve shared his diverse knowledge about street art, architecture, local history and community culture. Casual and... read more conversational, our tour felt like a day trip with a friend. I learned about things that were of interest to me. Plenty of stops along the way. The map of our ride with photos was truly a bonus. Thanks for a great day Steve!
Stacey
September 10, 2019 -
Loved it! Great way to get to know Chicago and have some fun on a bike at the same time. Steve was a great guide, friendly and knowledgeable.... read more We felt like old friends by the end, and we'd seen Chicago in a way we never would have without his tour. This isn't a downtown tour (too dangerous to ride bikes down there!), this is a tour of the neighborhoods and history--very interesting and fun!! Highly recommend!
Sheri
September 29, 2018 -
We focused on street art and it was so much fun. Our teenage kids like it and he took us to a great burger place for lunch. Great photos and... read more we missed the rain! Very local vibe with lots of insights!
Bragg
May 19, 2023 -
Steve's bike tour was an amazing and unique experience!! He weaves together a rich tapestry of art, culture, and social history. He also did a fantastic job at intuitively guiding... read more the bike ride. So much so that I barely had to think of where we were going and could focus more on all of the amazing things there were to experience along the way. The tour was a highlight of my trip and I regret there is not the opportunity to experience such a tour elsewhere.
Sarah
November 12, 2023 -
Steve has a wonderful in depth knowledge about Chicago and if he didn't know about a specific landmark or building, his curiosity will not allow him to sleep until he... read more finds answers (thanks to his previous librarian career). In short, Steve's bike tour > architecture boat tour any day!
Helen
September 17, 2019 -
Really enjoyed this bike tour - felt very different from the “normal” touristy things; in a good way! I’d happily do the exact route again even though it’s completely customisable.... read more
Joe
July 24, 2022
Yelp
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This was by far the best day of my vacation in Chicago. A bike tour is the best way to see a city, and Steve's street art bike tour was... read more such a great experience. We saw great popular murals and tons of never seen or known about before. Steve knew the answers to all my questions about the artists, the collaborations, the backgrounds of the pieces and more. On top of that I felt very safe the whole and trusted his urban biking skills. It was truly a memorable experience and I can't wait to take my friends with me next time I go!
Naima B.
10/29/2019 -
I spent an amazing 4.5 hours riding 15 miles on a totally customized bike tour with Steve. He knows so much about the art, architecture, and history along the way... read more (he is a retired teacher so it's not surprising.) After I got home he even provided me with a detailed map of the ride that included photos of me along the way with informational links about the scene shown. A+ experience.
Colin K.
8/17/2021 -
A fantastic bike tour, personally tailored to your interests. We did a 3-hour ride with a group of four who signed up together, but you can also sign up alone... read more and be paired with others.
Steve is a friendly and knowledgeable guide. We had a rider who hadn't ridden a bicycle in years and Steve's loaner bike and helmet worked out great.
Highly recommend the "bike the boulevards" route and on through Pilsen and Chinatown. Great history and architecture.
Thanks, Steve!
Alex H.
7/12/2019 -
I found Steve of Chicago Bike Adventures on Trip Advisor. They also have a website: https://chicagobikeadventures.com/about/
I wanted to enhance a four day holiday in Chicago... read more with something more interesting than the usual Red Bus or Architectural River Tours which, while worth doing, are things I had done before. Steve's tours involve riding cycles around the northern neighborhoods of the city for 5 hours while he explained the sights. Before the tour, you are sent a questionnaire which asks about your size, bike riding expertise, and interests: History, architecture, sports, churches, etc.
I chose a cold day in December and was the only person on the tour which meant I got Steve all to myself. When I arrived a the beginning of the tour, Steve was waiting with a helmet and a well tuned bicycle adjusted for my size and ready to go.
We started with a tour of the immediate neighborhood. As we rode He explained the local history and pointed out landmarks. The pace was just right, we kept moving to stay warm, it was about 30 degrees F, with stops at various points of interest. Steve teaches in the Chicago schools when he is not giving bicycle tours and we got along famously. As the tour went open we explored the University of Illinois, street art, the trendy new neighborhoods that are attracting tech workers and historical sights going back 100 years.
One of the best things about a small group tour is the ability to get to know a local, ask questions and get a sense of what it is like to live in the city you are visiting. This is much better than hearing a recording of the points of interest as you drive by on a bus filled with other tourists.
Later Steve took me to a local taco place for lunch. The food was very tasty and we continued our discussion of Chicago, one of the most interesting cities I know.
After 5 hours and 12 miles of bike riding I was tired and very happy to have taken the tour. I suspect you will be just as satisfied if you take one of Steve's bike tours. Although the route is chosen carefully to minimize congested streets, you will be riding in a big city for hours so you should be comfortable riding a bicycle in traffic.
John Kelly
John K.
12/28/2018 -
Absolutely loved this bike tour with Steve. Our tour was customized to what we wanted to see. Steve included stops in between our requested stops so we could learn and... read more enjoy more about this beautiful city. Steve was patient with us and accommodating to our level of bike riding, making sure we were following behind and letting us know our route ahead. Steve took pictures and put them together on a map showing where we had been. He also included photos from the movie sites we stopped at so we could compare our pictures with the movie. It was awesome! I will recommend Steve to friends and book again!!!
Stacie A.
9/25/2023 -
If you want to get to know Chicago more personally, try this out. This was one of my favorite experiences during my three day stay at Chicago. I did all... read more the tourist must-dos but it was nice to bike around neighborhoods and to feel what exactly the locals see everyday. Steve was great with everything from picking out/adjusting a bike for my size to explaining fun little details of Chicago. If you love being active and want a new experience while traveling, this would be great for you.
Somang L.
8/28/2019 -
Steve is great and love the tours. My wife took me on one a couple years ago and we went again while some friends were in town last week. Great... read more way to see the city and each tour is customized based on what you are interested in learning about and how far you want to go. Highly recommend!
Jason K.
8/16/2022 -
My friend from out of town wanted to visit me in Chicago for my birthday. Instead of going out to a fancy dinner, we decided to go on an... read more adventure with Chicago Bike Adventures. It was a great! I live in Chicago and love to bike. I wasn't sure if I would see anything new or unexpected on my trip because I live here, but I certainly did! Steve is extremely knowledgeable and knows about all the hidden gems! He customized the tour for just me and my friend and one other woman that joined us that day. It was great to be able to see all of the things I wanted to see (like street art, history, and planning stuff) and not get into the things I didn't care as much about. I'm sure there are many more customized adventures that he is prepared to give!
We saw a lot of really fantastic street art. We also stopped by a brewery in Pilsen, Lo Rez. I highly recommend it! Steve was extremely knowledgeable about all of the things and places we visited. He was also very approachable and fun to ride with. He even lent someone a pair of socks so she could be a little warmer on the ride. Great guy.
It was great how Steve knew which route to take. He clearly did a lot of research in finding the best way to get around. I ride my bike in Chicago so I know how difficult it can be getting around if you don't find a bike lane, or a less busy street. The ride that day was very pleasant and stress free.
Oh! I should mention that it was 33 degrees when we did this trip and I still loved it! We bundled up and kept warm by moving.
I would definitely recommend this for a visitor or a local!
Emily E.
1/25/2019 -
Steve created a wonderful memory for us while on a short trip to Chicago. Our group of girls had a mix of biking experience and he went out of his... read more way to ensure we all felt comfortable. This tour was a comfortable pace filled with local art and history of each space. The ability to ride through the city made us feel like a local even though my riding skills may have indicated otherwise. Thank you Steve for making us feel like a priority to you and your city. Would love to come and do this again.
Amy H.
4/29/2021
Tripadvisor
- amyek-6
Steve was a great tour guide as we biked through Chicago. His pre-ride survey allowed him to tailor the ride to some of our interests. We were super confident navigating... read more the streets with Steve in the front. The street art was amazing as was the ride along the old L tracks and along the lake. Highly recommend. We will be back.
March 21, 2021 - Kookoocachu
I read the reviews about how awesome Steve and his Chicago bike tour is ahead of visiting Chicago...and they were all true. Steve is a super laid back guy that... read more knew every inch of incredible Chicago. This was my first visit to the city and...More
October 18, 2019 - UrbanChicago
As local residents, we wanted a fun adventure over July 4th (and during the pandemic). Steve created a perfect tour! We went west for ethnic street art, and... read more south for architectural, social and Black history (Bronzeville, Jane Adams, Ida B. Wells) and musicians (Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Thomas Dorsey, Muddy Waters). Steve is easy and spontaneous as he creates context throughout, tying many pieces together. We came away with a more intimate connection to our great hometown, Chicago! Hope to do another tour with Steve soon! …
July 1, 2020 - ChicagoUrban
As local residents, we wanted a fun adventure over July 4th (and during the pandemic). Steve created a perfect tour!
We went west for ethnic street art, and... read more south for architectural, social and Black history (Bronzeville, Jane Adams, Ida B. Wells) and musicians (Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Thomas Dorsey, Muddy Waters). Steve is easy and spontaneous as he creates context throughout, tying many pieces together.
We came away with a more intimate connection to our great hometown, Chicago! Hope to do another tour with Steve soon!
July 5, 2020 - theworldiswide
Steve is a warm, fun-loving and very knowlegeable tour guide. He took us through several very cool neighborhoods, showed us awesome street art and shared countless interesting details. He is... read more a confident bike tour guide and knows the streets of Chicago well. He even managed...More
September 29, 2019 - John R
This was a great experience! Steve was great, informative, and truly wanted us to have a great time. This is highly recommended and a great way to see the city... read more in a totally different way! His expertise in history exponentially added to the already great...More
November 1, 2019 - Colin Knight
I spent an amazing 4.5 hours touring Chicago neighborhoods with Steve. He knows an amazing amount about the art, architecture, and history along the ride. He totally customizes the tour... read more based on your interests. After the trip he provided me with a detailed map of the route with photos of some of the stops and with informational links. A+ experience.
August 1, 2021 - AmyK
Steve was a great tour guide as we biked through Chicago. His pre-ride survey allowed him to tailor the ride to some of our interests. We were super confident navigating... read more the streets with Steve in the front. The street art was amazing as was the ride along the old L tracks and along the lake. Highly recommend. We will be back. …
March 1, 2021 - D2057BUshannonh
This is a great way to see more of Chicago and develop an understanding of the communities and history of the city overall. Steve takes great pictures and shares them... read more with you after the tour. Depending on the weather make sure you dress appropriately!
March 22, 2021



