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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Author: Steve

Looking Around 17 (10 Photos)

September 30, 2019November 4, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 17 (10 Photos)
A tour bicycle standing in front of a mid=century modern building with glass blocks in between thin gray pillars and short manicured bushes

Ten photos from the end of summer

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged auburn gresham, brighton park, churches, cicero, humboldt park, jonas mulokas, juan gabriel moreno, lake view, lithuanian plaza, little italy, little village, luis raul munoz, menace two, resa piece, schools, street art, tracee badway, ukrainian village, wicker park

Map Updates 5 (16 Photos)

September 23, 2019September 30, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Map Updates 5 (16 Photos)
A tour bike leaning in front of a red copper statue of faceless igures building a barricade of wheels and planks

Sixteen photos recently added to CBA maps.

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Posted in Map Updates, PhotosTagged austin, bridgeport, bucktown, church conversions, evanston, Frank Lloyd Wright, gold coast, goose island, grant park, jefferson park, lakeshore, memorials, monuments, movable bridges, pilsen, public art, west loop

Looking Around 15 (10 Photos)

September 2, 2019September 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 15 (10 Photos)
A tour bike leanning on a tan yellow brick wall with a metal type sign accented by the heavy shadow of the letters.

Ten pictures taken during some mid summer riding around.

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged avondale, brutalism, bucktown, churches, commercial, evanston, logan square, noble square, north western university, street art, typefaces, ukrainian village, uptown, walter netsch, west garfield park

CBA in OKC (18 Photos)

August 26, 2019September 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA in OKC (18 Photos)
A tour bike standing below a metal scissor tail fly catcher sculpture with the OKC skyline in the background.

Summer visit to Oklahoma City leads to a slightly off brand post.

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Posted in Out of Chicago, PhotosTagged okc, photos, street art

Looking Around 14 (10 Photos)

August 19, 2019September 2, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 14 (10 Photos)
A tour bike leaning in front of a five story red brick building with brick design details and sloped tile roof corners.

Ten pictures taken from the bike early this summer

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged beauty and brawn art gallery, canaryville, dovie golden, east humboldt park, evanston, heidi unkefer, historic schools, juan de la mora monsavais, kristen mccrea, near west side, paseo baricua, rogers park, trazzytraz1, wabash corridor, walter netsch, wilmette, zachary grey phelps

CBA Rides 4 (10 Photos)

July 30, 2019August 19, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 4 (10 Photos)
A CBA bike tour rider taking a picture of Chicago skyscrapers from Wolf Point.

Some early summer CBA rides in action.

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Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged bronzeville, delilah salgado, fulton market, hollywood cleaners, IIT, jas petersen, logan square, mies van der rohe, museum campus, pablo serrano, pilsen, sam kirk, solomon souza, sports venues, west loop, wicker park, wolf point

Looking Around 10 (11 Photos)

March 18, 2019May 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 10 (11 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on Tony Tasset's multi color square covered rectangular box sculpture Artists Monument with the

Eleven pictures from March bike rides

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged near north, old town triangle, tri-taylor, uic, uic-medical, uptown, wabash, west town

Looking Around 9 (16 Photos)

March 4, 2019May 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 9 (16 Photos)
A tour bike leaning next to the red terra cotta entrance of yellow and red brick patterned Rosenwald Apartments.

16 views from late February bike riding.

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged bronzeville, douglas, east garfield park, lincoln park, park boulevard, pilsen, the gap, unionstockyards, west town

Looking Around 8 (12 Photos)

February 18, 2019May 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 8 (12 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on a mural of a face and yellow and aqua waves.

12 photos taken while riding around Chicago.

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged avondale, east garfield park, east Ukrainian village, lincoln square, near west side, north park, ravenswood, west town

Looking Around 7 (12 Photos)

February 4, 2019May 17, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 7 (12 Photos)
A tour bike in the snow leaning on a yellow brick wall with large band of blue and white small square tiles.

12 photos taken during a very cold back end of January

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged brick, lincoln square, motels, near west side, ravenswood, street art, west town

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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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   Fantastic day with Steve! Steve is a terrific guide.... he’s very knowledgeable about the history of the different neighborhoods we toured. We loved learning not only the... read more history but also the amazing street art and murals. Steve was able to tell us about the artists and their work... fascinating!! The loaner bikes are in great condition .... kind of a big deal when you’re spending hours on them:-). I would highly recommend a tour with Steve.... you won’t be disappointed!!! A great day!!

    thumb Tiffany
    November 1, 2018

  •   Although I haven’t rode a bike in years, I was able to keep up! Steve really personalized the tour and was very thoughtful. It was educational, a great workout and... read more value. I highly recommend.

    thumb Dwayne
    August 26, 2022

  •   My group had an amazing time. I’m moving to Chicago soon and Steve was a great resource about the history of the area, along with creating a great route that... read more showed the things important to me like parks, neighborhoods, and restaurants. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to become more intimate with the city. We were able to cover a lot of ground at a very easy and relaxing pace, and see some pretty cool spots.

    thumb Zachary
    May 14, 2023

  •   Steve is extremely knowledgeable about Chicago and could answer all of our questions. He adapted perfectly to our expectations, I had a wonderful time and hope to do another route... read more with him the next time I'm in Chicago. Also the bikes he lend us were in great shape.

    thumb Madeleine
    July 31, 2023

  •   Love to bike

    thumb Tommy
    September 16, 2019

  •   The bike ride around Chicago is a great way to see the city. Steve was very informative, funny, and curated a route that worked for everyone in the group. I’m... read more not an avid bike rider but I was able to keep up with the others and was able to overcome my fear of urban street riding. Highly recommend this tour.

    thumb Kelsi
    September 18, 2021

  •   I loved this tour. Excellent pace and great stories, cool artwork and fun attitude. I would definitely recommend.

    thumb Anita P.
    September 26, 2019

  •   Steve was excellent! You get a great view of Chicago!! Worth every penny!!! Steve is well knowledgeable about the city and makes sure he answers all your questions!!! Hey... read more took us to eat great hamburgers!!!

    thumb Juna
    September 14, 2019

  •   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 was a fantastic tour guide! A bike ride is a great way to experience Chicago neighborhoods. I felt very satisfied with my experience. Steve knows a ton about local... read more history and is a great conversationalist. Highly recommend!

    thumb Sonya
    July 6, 2023

TripAdvisor

  • star rating  Steve was awesome! Catered the ride to my pace and showed me tons and tons of street art (just like I wanted). He was easy to talk to, very knowledgeable... read more and very down to earth.

    tripadvisor logo
    316drewr
    August 24, 2019

  • 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  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
    D2057BUshannonh
    March 22, 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  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  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 you on the bike and I felt very safe

    tripadvisor logo
    dazelr
    September 1, 2019

  • 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  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  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  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

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