Skip to content
  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • Gift Certificates
  • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Individual Maps List
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me
Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • Gift Certificates
  • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Individual Maps List
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me

Category: Indemnity Only

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)

Read More

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.

Read More

Posted in Indemnity Only, Literature, Maps, Movies, V.I. WarshawskiTagged book locations, movie locations, sarah paretsky
A book cover for 100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die with blue text that says We're in the Book!

Yelp

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   This is an awesome way to see the outskirts of Chicago and learn the history.

    thumb Cathy
    June 3, 2022

  •   The bike tour with Steve was great. A great way to explore a bit more than downtown Chicago and connect better with the city. Steve knows the region and its... read more history very well and he was a great guide. After the tour, he sent me a map with our route and some great pictures. Totally recommend this!

    thumb Livya
    June 11, 2023

  •   What a great experience! The trip was personalized to our interests and Steve was super friendly, fun and attentive to safety. I highly recommend and I would definitely do again!

    thumb Cristela
    August 1, 2019

  •   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

  •   Steve took us on a wonderful tour and showed us parts of the city that we wouldn't discover as a tourist. We also learned a lot about Chicago. And we... read more felt very comfortable with Steve.

    thumb Wiebke
    June 6, 2024

  •   The best way to get to know Chicago and its history. I booked this experience because I wanted to get to know Chicago in its raw self in addition to... read more all of the tourist spots. I’ve visited Chicago 360, two museums, the aquarium and all but this comes in one of the best. I was the only one who signed up that day so Steve really tailored the tour to my interests. The nature, 100+yr old houses, skyscrapers, and hidden graffiti spots in between were all inspiring. I felt like I was getting to know an entirely different city from my previous visits. Steve definitely had a entire history of Chicago encyclopedia in his brain which was a game changer. He did tell me he was a history major and I was truly impressed. The ride was such a breeze despite of my worries because Chicago is mostly flat (thank God). It did rain a bit on and off during the five hours but I didn’t find it problematic at all. Actually, I enjoyed it as a part of the experience. Steve provided a raincoat big enough to cover my entire body and my backpack. He also gave me a big bottle of water at the beginning of the tour. I enjoyed more of these ‘minor’ tours and experience during my stay in Chicago rather than those famous must-dos.

    thumb Somang
    August 17, 2019

  •   We had a good time exploring the outer neighborhoods of Chicago with Steve!

    thumb Robert
    September 10, 2022

  •   Great tour!! Steve let us customize our tour to explore things our group was more interested in.

    thumb Pratyush
    July 3, 2021

  •   We had a fantastic time with Steve! He is super friendly, knowledgeable, easy going and accommodating. Our tour was just the right amount of riding and discovery. I was in... read more town visiting a friend and she enjoyed the experience just as much as I did even though she has lived in Chicago for 10+ years. I would recommend Steve’s tour to both visitors and locals interested in learning more about the great city of Chicago!

    thumb Marcella
    November 10, 2018

  •   Steve was an excellent guide! There was no possible way for us to see most of Chicago in 4 hours but he made it happen and did so as a... read more professional. He made the tour personal and customized it to all of our interests. No script. Just an entertaining cycling history machine! His knowledge of the city stretched back to the late 1800s and he covered many sites that no longer exist. We really enjoyed his tour and getting the opportunity to ride vintage bikes around the town with him! Highly recommend to visitors and locals! Steve is Chicago’s Cycling Historian!!

    thumb Oksana
    July 13, 2021

TripAdvisor

  • 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  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  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  Wonderful ride, Steve is a very nice guy who knows A LOT of Chicago, you will really have a good time with him. Such a great experience!

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Julio S
    September 18, 2018

  • 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  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  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...More

    tripadvisor logo
    Kookoocachu
    October 18, 2019

  • 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  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

Archives

adaptive reuse architecture art deco austin avondale bridgeport bronzeville bucktown church conversions churches douglas east garfield park Frank Lloyd Wright fulton market historic schools history humboldt park lake view lawndale lincoln park literature little village logan square loop maps memorials midcentury modern monuments movable bridges movie locations near west side pilsen prairie school public art public sculpture queen anne schools sculpture street art uic ukrainian village washington park west garfield park west town wicker park

Previous Posts

Search

Archives

  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • May 2022
  • September 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • November 2017

Categories

  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • Gift Certificates
  • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Individual Maps List
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me

© All Rights Reserved.

Proudly powered by WordPress | Travel Log by WEN Solutions.