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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Month: April 2019

CBA Rides 3 (11 Photos)

April 22, 2019July 30, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 3 (11 Photos)
Bike tour rider taking a photo of a mural featuring a green goggle wearing boy.

Some of CBA’s most recent rides in action.

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Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged bridgeport, cba rides, logan square, maxwell street, museum campus, near north, pilsen

Looking Around 12 (13 Photos)

April 16, 2019May 21, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on Looking Around 12 (13 Photos)
A bicycle wheel next to aa mural of a little gray man with a spray can.

Thirteen photos from the early days of April.

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged bronzeville, east garfield park, heart of chicago, little village, logan square, oak park, pilsen

Map Updates 2 (11 Photos)

April 8, 2019May 16, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on Map Updates 2 (11 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on Prairie School style building with gold and brown brick

Eleven new pictures added to CBA map markers

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Posted in Map Updates, PhotosTagged Avard T. Fairbanks, church conversions, dwight h perkins, Egon Weiner, endangered, Gutzon Borglum, memorials, monuments, public art, schools, sculpture, Virginio Ferrari, walter burley griffin, William Carlson

Looking Around 11 (11 Photos)

April 1, 2019May 16, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on Looking Around 11 (11 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on a multicolored stone wall with a nature themed wooden collage.

Eleven more pictures from March bike rides in Chicago

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged churches, east garfield park, humboldt park, lincoln park, south loop, street art, west garfield park
A book cover for 100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die with blue text that says We're in the Book!

Yelp

  •   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

    thumb John K.
    12/28/2018

  •   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!

    thumb Alex H.
    7/12/2019

  •   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.

    thumb Somang L.
    8/28/2019

  •   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.

    thumb Colin K.
    8/17/2021

  •   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.

    thumb Amy H.
    4/29/2021

  •   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!!!

    thumb Stacie A.
    9/25/2023

  •   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!

    thumb Naima B.
    10/29/2019

  •   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!

    thumb 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!

    thumb Emily E.
    1/25/2019

Airbnb

  •   Wonderful experience with Steve, highly recommended. The best tour. He tried to accommodate the tour to what we liked the most. Very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and pleasant. We’re planning to... read more do another bike adventure with Steve. Thanks Steve!

    thumb Blanca
    July 9, 2023

  •   We booked on to the tour for our first day in Chicago (borrowing two of Steve's lovely bikes), and what a fantastic way to start the trip and blow off... read more the cobwebs of any jetlag! We saw so much of the wonderful city of Chicago and Steve really brought all of the amazing areas we visited to life with his informative, interesting, and personable storytelling. Steve took our requests into account and we had an amazing time visiting some super cool neighbourhoods, seeing some amazing architecture, and checking out plenty of beautiful street art murals. We couldn't recommend Steve and his tour more. It's early days, but we've no doubt this will be one of the highlights of our trip.

    thumb Annabel
    April 19, 2023

  •   Steve is super friendly and patient, especially considering I was late for the tour. Not only does he have an impressive array of bikes to choose from, but he also... read more ensured that we felt completely at ease and knowledgeable about operating them before embarking on the tour.
    Prior to our ride, Steve provided us with a general overview of the tour. Throughout the journey, I felt secure and comfortable riding with him as a guide.
    The neighborhoods we explored were pretty cool and showed the charm (and changes) of the city. I wish we could have explored more but the time constraints limited us.
    Another thing I wish for was the inclusion of a couple of stops at unique Chicago stores.... like a bakery, small bites, and/or merchandise (i.e. Thrift store).
    Overall, good experience and the couple who attended with me made it even better!

    thumb Danielle
    June 18, 2023

  •   Take the bike tour, you won’t regret it! Steve was very knowledgeable and shared some of Chicago’s history as we biked and made stops at different locations. He knew all... read more the street art stops, beer stops and the beautiful homes.

    thumb Ligia
    August 14, 2022

  •   Steve is really friendly and super knowledgeable about the neighborhoods & history in Chicago. The bike tour helps me learn more about Chicago as well I discover new places that... read more aren’t touristy. I am under 5 feet, so finding a bike that fits me is challenging, but Steve got a bike that fits perfectly for me. I have a great time biking around Chicago and 4 hours went by so fast! If you want to learn more about Chicago beyond the loop, then I highly recommend it.

    thumb Sophia
    March 28, 2022

  •   Steve was incredibly friendly - we were greater with a big smile and an enthusiasm to show us the city. Even though we live in Chicago - Steve showed us... read more parts we haven’t seen before and we can’t wait to go back. It was also quite hot but Steve was willing to accommodate and be flexible due to the heat. Thank you so much Steve!

    thumb Meghan
    August 21, 2021

  •   It was a great day & I'd recommend it to anyone

    thumb Robb
    September 19, 2019

  •   Steve did an amazing job making sure that we were safe and got the most of what we wanted to see in Chicago. It was a great experience for myself... read more and my son. I would highly recommend.

    thumb Estrella
    August 23, 2019

  •   I found Steve of Chicago Bike Adventures on Trip Advisor. They also have a website: (Website hidden by Airbnb)

    I wanted to enhance a four... read more day holiday in Chicago 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

    thumb John
    December 21, 2018

  •   Steve was great. You are asked to fill out a form before the trip, so that Steve can adjust the tour to specific interests and abilities. Steve was easy to... read more communicate with and gave us a wonderful taste of Chicago on bikes. I would totally do this again and have Steve show us around a different part of Chicago.

    thumb Blake
    April 13, 2024

TripAdvisor

  • star rating  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 after our 5+ hour tour, I felt

    tripadvisor logo
    Steven K
    October 1, 2019

  • star rating  I highly recommend this bike tour. Steve does a great job of gathering your info before hand and tailoring the ride to you. I was lucky to be the... read more only rider that day so the experience was very personal. Steve does a great job leading...More

    tripadvisor logo
    dazelr
    September 17, 2019

  • star rating  Steve did a great job of showing our small group around Chicago. Went to parts of Chicago I would never have found on my own and got a taste of... read more what it is like to be a bicycle commuter in Chicago. I had a different...More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Super8Connoisseur
    May 5, 2019

  • star rating  I had an awesome time cruising around town with Steve. We went to places in Chicago I probably wouldn't otherwise go and learned a ton about the city. I felt... read more safe the whole time and still felt like I was in the middle of everything....More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Saltlakemike
    July 28, 2018

  • star rating  Had a wonderful tour around town with Steve. He showed me places where I never ever would have been on my own. Well maintained bikes and a beautiful city! I... read more would definitely recommend Chicago Bike Adventures.

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Nadinevd
    September 28, 2018

  • star rating  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

    tripadvisor logo
    theworldiswide
    September 29, 2019

  • star rating  If you're looking for a fun, informative bike tour of Chicago with friendly, knowledgeable guide then look no further! I was lucky enough to have a one to one personal... read more tour with Steve the other day. It was clear to me he takes great care...More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Costi S
    September 7, 2018

  • star rating  Was lucky to have a solo tour with Steve today and saw so much of the city, a lot of which I wouldn’t have had time or the prior knowledge... read more to visit on my own. He takes a lot of care over the itinerary, sending...More

    tripadvisor logo
    philip_goodman
    June 14, 2019

  • star rating  Steve was a great tour guide as we biked through Chicago. His pre-ride survey allowed him to tailor... read more

    tripadvisor logo
    amyek-6
    March 21, 2021

  • star rating  Excellent experience and would highly recommend. Steve, the owner and guide, was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and tailored the tour to our interests.

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb SLC3333
    May 28, 2019

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