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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Month: October 2020

Looking Around 27 (11 Photos)

October 27, 2020April 6, 2021 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 27 (11 Photos)
A tour bike standing at the curb in front of a heavily red stone three story Queen Anne home with second floor turret that forms an open balcony on the third floor.

10 views from the end of summer

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged 1880s, avondale, carrie fischer, churches, green star movement, logan square, matr, project logan, public art, skyscrapers, william le baron jenny, woodlawn

CBA Rides 11 (5 Photos)

October 13, 2020September 1, 2021 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 11 (5 Photos)
A bike tour rider standing below black and white murals of a bird and a fish skeleton on the corner of a yellow brick industrial building.

Five sights from CBA’s custom planned neighborhood bike rides

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Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged bucktown, cera strret art, lincoln yards, loop, lovecraft country, pilsen, ROA, west town

Native Son’s Chicago 1 (5 Photos)

October 5, 2020April 6, 2021 SteveLeave a Comment on Native Son’s Chicago 1 (5 Photos)
A tour bike standing on the sidewalk in front of a eighth story red and tan brick a building with three arched windows at the center of the second floor.

5 existing locations from Richard Wright’s novel of 1930’s Chicago

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Posted in Literature, Native Son, PhotosTagged bronzeville, canaryville, daniel burnham, kenwood, loop, native son, near south side, north kenwood, richard wright
A book cover for 100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die with blue text that says We're in the Book!

Yelp

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   The tour was great. It gives you a much better understanding of the city and it’s layout. The architecture portions were phenomenal. We found great views and bits of history.... read more I’d do it again.

    thumb Philip
    October 17, 2019

  •   This is my second tour with Steve. He is a friendly, knowledgeable host. Very accommodating and his biking experience creates a safe and comfortable ride. Great way to see and... read more learn about many parts of Chicago!

    thumb Lisa
    July 16, 2021

  •   A great tour! We had a blast!

    thumb Katherine
    August 9, 2021

  •   Steve is knowledgeable about Chicago and an experienced bicyclists. He's considerate of your needs. He has a pleasant, warm smile and laughs easily. As a teacher, he uses his love... read more of history to enhance the experience.

    thumb Meadow
    August 21, 2019

  •   This was a great tour! Even though spending 5 hours on a bike touring around Chicago's neighborhoods might sound daunting, this is a tour for anyone with basic fitness... read more and biking skills. Steve was really friendly, had a vast knowledge about Chicago's history and culture, and knew lots of interesting details about the neighborhoods and their histories. The tour was from 10-3 on a weekday, so we missed rush-hour traffic, and Steve's route was mostly through safe and easy-to-navigate neighborhood streets and bike-friendly paths. We stopped often to talk about the neighborhoods, so nobody ever got tired or winded. Chicago is a beautiful, open city with amazing architecture and history, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn about some of its neighborhoods outside of the main downtown Loop. Thanks Steve, and thanks Chicago!

    thumb Dominick
    August 12, 2019

  •   Steve is a best story tellers I have ever meet! We talked a lot during travel. It’s beyond my expectations a lot! I would contact him again when I return... read more to Chicago!

    thumb Tian
    December 20, 2022

  •   This is a must-try experience for anyone visiting the city. Steve adds a personalized touch by creating a route from the group’s preferences. He is highly knowledgeable as insightful on... read more the Chicago’s hidden gems. He is fun to talk to and will make you feel like you have a friend in the city. Overall, a great way to spend a few hours and scoping out future places to visit and try on your vacation.

    thumb Rendell
    August 27, 2022

  •   So much fun! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn more about Chicago and spend part of the day on a bike.

    thumb Rae
    April 22, 2023

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

    thumb Robert
    September 19, 2019

  •   Steve foi incrível. A melhor experiência turística que tivemos em Chicago. Aprendemos muito sobre a cultura local, a história da cidade e tudo isso de uma forma agradável e interessante.... read more Quero voltar para fazer mais tours com Steve. Valeu cada minuto.

    thumb Márcia
    October 30, 2024

TripAdvisor

  • star rating  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.

    tripadvisor logo
    ColinKnightMD
    August 17, 2021

  • star rating  A must if you come to Chicago. You’ll see a different side to the city and Steve will customize the experience for you. See different neighborhoods, learn about the history,... read more take great photos and enjoy a drink!

    tripadvisor logo
    ana_rg123
    March 18, 2020

  • star rating  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!

    tripadvisor logo
    Shannon H
    March 1, 2021

  • star rating  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

    tripadvisor logo
    John R
    November 1, 2019

  • star rating  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!

    tripadvisor logo
    ChicagoUrban
    July 5, 2020

  • 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...More

    tripadvisor logo
    Kookoocachu
    October 18, 2019

  • star rating  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. …

    tripadvisor logo
    AmyK
    March 1, 2021

  • 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 to arrange good weather for the tour! :)

    I highly recommend Steve and Chicago Bike Adventures...you'll have a blast!

    tripadvisor logo
    theworldiswide
    September 30, 2019

  • star rating  Very knowledgeable of the city of Chicago. Very considerate and safe lead bicyclist. Great way to explore the city! Highly recommend.

    tripadvisor logo
    Meadow C
    August 27, 2019

  • star rating  This is a great way to see more of Chicago and develop an understanding of the communities and... read more

    tripadvisor logo
    D2057BUshannonh
    March 22, 2021

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