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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Category: Literature

The Spook Who Sat by the Door (5 Photos)

February 21, 2023March 7, 2023 SteveLeave a Comment on The Spook Who Sat by the Door (5 Photos)
A tour bike leaning at front of the Fountain of Time, a large horizontal tan cement sculpture with one figure's back to the camera and many others facing front ensembled into a wave like formation.

Five photos from CBA’s The Spook Who Sat by the Door Map

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Posted in Literature, PhotosTagged art deco, englewood, googlie, grand boulevard, international style, lorado taft, public art, public sculpture, skidmore owings merrill, washington park, wpa

The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969) Mapped

February 14, 2023February 27, 2023 SteveLeave a Comment on The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969) Mapped
A tour bike leaning on the black two story arched wooden door of a grey limestone Art Deco armory building with soldier detailing.

Dan Freeman turns his CIA training on the oppressor in Chicago’s South Side.

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Posted in Literature, MapsTagged black history, black literature, bronzeville, hyde park, washington park, woodlawn

So Big Map

May 2, 2022October 31, 2022 SteveLeave a Comment on So Big Map
A tour bike at front of a common brick three story church with a five story pointed roof corner tower.

Edna Ferber’s Selina Peake makes her own way in turn of the century Dutch community of Roseland

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Posted in Literature, Maps, So BigTagged literature, loop, maps, roseland

Indemnity Only (6 Photos)

April 6, 2021May 16, 2022 SteveLeave a Comment on Indemnity Only (6 Photos)
A tour bike standing in front of a pale blue white trim wooden 1880s three story single family home.

Six photos from the CBA map for Indemnity Only (Sarah Paretsky, 1982)

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Posted in Indemnity Only, Literature, PhotosTagged 1880s, brutalism, googie, lake shore path, meeting halls, modernist, north kenwood, south chicago, the loop, uic, walter netsch

V.I. Warshawski’s Chicago

March 29, 2021September 15, 2021 SteveLeave a Comment on V.I. Warshawski’s Chicago
A tour bike looking out over a frozen harbor with the high rise apartments near and the Chicago skyline in the far distance.

The V stands for her first name.

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Posted in Indemnity Only, Literature, Maps, Movies, V.I. WarshawskiTagged book locations, movie locations, sarah paretsky

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

Richard Wright’s Native Son Mapped

September 28, 2020October 5, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Richard Wright’s Native Son Mapped
A tour bike standing at the curb in front of two twinned three story red brick apartment buildings with curved corner bays.

Bigger Thomas’ Bronzeville of 1930s Chicago

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Posted in Literature, Maps, Native SonTagged 1930s, african american, book locations, bronzeville, englewood, hyde park, kenwood, literature

Print Chicago 1 (5 Photos)

August 11, 2020September 28, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Print Chicago 1 (5 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on decorative wooden fence in front of a three story wood Craftsman home with Halloween decorations

5 pictures from CBA’s Print Chicago Map

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Posted in Literature, PhotosTagged ben hecht, carl sandburg, grand crossing, gwendolyn brooks, kenwood, park manor, robert s abbott, shel silverstein

Sister Carrie’s Chicago 1 (5 Photos)

July 21, 2020August 11, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Sister Carrie’s Chicago 1 (5 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on the black metal fence in front of an angled roof wooden Italianate two story home.

5 pictures from CBA’s Sister Carrie Map

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Posted in Literature, Photos, Sister CarrieTagged 1890s, book locations, gold coast, historic schools, literature, mansions, near north, west town

Map of Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie

July 14, 2020August 13, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Map of Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie

60 locations from Caroline Meeber’s life in Theodore Dreiser’s late 19th Century Chicago.

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Posted in Literature, MapsTagged 1890s, literature, maps

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Older posts
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 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   I enjoyed a personalized bike rid through Chicago with Steve. This was a great way to see other parts of Chicago without hoards of tourists. Based on my interests, there... read more were trips to various neighborhoods to see architectural gems, street art, parks and other areas worth biking. Steve was personable and a great guide.

    thumb Jeff
    October 9, 2024

  •   Awesome bike tour. Great way to see different neighborhoods of Chicago.

    thumb Anthony
    March 25, 2022

  •   There's no better way to get to know the city than with Steve. I highly highly recommend if you're here visiting and want to see as much as possible. Awesome... read more tour with a great tour guide

    thumb Connor
    May 8, 2021

  •   I have been enamored I’d bike tours for quite some time: what a GREAT way to be introduced (or reacquainted) with a city than on a bike guided by someone... read more who knows and loves the city.
    Steve did not disappoint! His love of history and Chicago and biking are perfectly melded in this tour. He took us to many iconic areas of Chicago. He tempered our tour to our pre-ride questionnaire and showed us architecture, neighborhoods, Wrigley field and gave us a great history in so much of it (do YOU know why it’s called the Windy City?)
    When he says 5 hours expect it; he’s a man of his word and will give you your money’s worth.
    Highly recommend this tour!

    thumb Lisa
    September 12, 2018

  •   If you are looking for a great way to experience the City and get a unique perspective this is for you! Steve is a great guide a will tailor the... read more ride to your skill level.

    thumb Tony
    October 6, 2020

  •   We had an absolutely amazing time on our bike tour with Steve. We will be setting up another tour with him the next time we come to Chicago. He was... read more friendly, personable, professional and a font of information about Chicago history, architecture and art. What a great way to see the city! The tour was custom-designed for our interests and our bike riding experience. He provided everything we needed. Fun!

    thumb Laurie
    September 11, 2018

  •   A great experience for people who like to be outdoors, get great photos of the city and learn a little something while in town. Chicago is a nice, flat city... read more to ride a bike, so it wasn’t too strenuous at all. Steve is insanely knowledgeable about a little bit of everything. He won’t just take you to a cool mural off the beaten path, he’ll tell you who painted it and where they are from and what city initiative funded it! We covered plenty of ethnic history and sites of architectural interest as well, as the ride was tailored to the guests interests. The route planning was thoughtful - Steve seems to be a meticulous planner who keeps track of time and mileage to continuously improve his offerings. All of this allows you to just pedal and enjoy the ride. I highly recommend this tour!

    thumb Katrina
    August 31, 2020

  •   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

  •   Great bike tour, customized it to my interests of art, history, street art, and architecture.

    thumb Ana
    November 22, 2021

  •   What an amazing Tour! Steve has so much knowledge and took us around an amazing and divers neighbourhood. Really enjoyed the whole experience!

    thumb Katrin
    May 24, 2022

TripAdvisor

  • 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
    UrbanChicago
    July 1, 2020

  • star rating  Thank you Steve for an informative, detailed and unforgettable bike tour through Chicago‘s suburbs, but also for showing us Chicago from a completely different side. The ratio between riding the... read more bike and receiving information was perfect!

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Kai H
    July 19, 2018

  • 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
    Colin Knight
    August 17, 2021

  • 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  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 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  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  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  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  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

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