Links for inspiration

Routes from others

Bikecentric Chicago

The Chainlink – news, resources, forum, community

Chi.Bike – webapp for mass events, city info, route plotting…

Active Transportation Alliance – events, advocacy, and resources

Ride Illinois – news, events, advocacy

Illinois Cycling – news, racing and riding clubs

Northbrook Cycle Committee – track racing at the Northbrook velodrome

TrailLink – Nationwide Rails to Trails Conservancy

Learning on the web

Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™ – historical gems from Neil Gale, Ph.D

Chicago Patterns – architecture, preservation, hidden history

Ultra Local Geography – history at the building and street level

StreetArtNews- Chicago – local artistic activities

The Hop Review: The Comprehensive Brewery List of Chicago – regularly updated

Streetsblog Chicago – news on sustainable transportation and livable communities

Chicago Sojourn – architecture blog focusing on the hidden, forgotten, and obscure

Chicago Architecture – architecture news blog

Forgotten Chicago – history that fell through the cracks

Atlas Obscura Guide to Chicago – 100+ quirky Chicago sights

Curbed Chicago – real estate news

Chicago Landmarks – the city’s official listing

Chicago Building Age Map – Transitized – color coded by era

Encyclopedia of Chicago – Chicago History Museum, Newberry Library, Northwestern University sponsored site

Learning in print

AIA Guide to Chicago – Alice Sinkevitch (edited)

Black Metropolis: A Study of Negro Life in a Northern City – St. Clair Drake & Horace R. Cayton

Chicago Neighborhoods and Suburbs: A Historical Guide – Ann Durkin Keating (edited)

Cycling in Chicago – Chris McAuliffe

Making the Second Ghetto: Race & Housing in Chicago 1940-1960 – Arnold R. Hirsch

Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West – William Cronon

Yelp

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

Naima B.
10/29/2019
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

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

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

Amy H.
4/29/2021
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

John K.
12/28/2018
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

Somang L.
8/28/2019
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

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

Alex H.
7/12/2019
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

Emily E.
1/25/2019

Airbnb

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

Dominick
August 12, 2019

Great customized bike tour of Chicago with knowledgeable and capable guide. Steve was awesome. Very friendly and engaging. If you want to ride around and learn about different neighborhoods... read more

Seth
August 13, 2018

The tour was excellent.

Bill
August 14, 2019

Steve was an a fantastic, thoughtful and patient guide. He took us to great spots that a tourist (or even a local) wouldn’t know about and he tailored the tour... read more

Diane
June 3, 2022

Steve was really patient and knowledgeable. I’m amazed by the amount of details he dishes out in his explanations. Really worth the time and money!

Jan
August 5, 2022

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.

Dwayne
August 26, 2022

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!

Lisa
July 16, 2021

What a great ride we had. Despite the playful weather. Steve is great guide and a fun storyteller. And a nice person in general. He taylored the ride to... read more our request. Strong recommendation.

Florian
April 1, 2023

This is an amazing tour and way beyond our imagination.
We, a group of 7, would love to explore more in this amazing cuty 'Chicago' and thought it would be a... read more

JenFu
October 11, 2023

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

Katrina
August 31, 2020

TripAdvisor

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

Saltlakemike
July 28, 2018

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

dazelr
September 17, 2019

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!

ana_rg123
March 18, 2020

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

Eeaags
January 25, 2019

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

theworldiswide
September 30, 2019

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

Nadinevd
September 28, 2018

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

D2057BUshannonh
March 22, 2021

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

Shannon H
March 1, 2021

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

Super8Connoisseur
May 5, 2019

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

amyek-6
March 21, 2021

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Bikecentric Chicago

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