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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: 1880s

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

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

1895 Boulevard Bike Ride 1 (5 Photos)

June 15, 2020June 22, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on 1895 Boulevard Bike Ride 1 (5 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on the front of a early 1890s elevated train station with a broad circular roof.

Five pre-1895 structures from CBA’s 1895 Boulevard Bike Ride Map

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Posted in PhotosTagged 1880s, 1890s, bucktown, douglas, lincoln park, loop, washington park
A book cover for 100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die with blue text that says We're in the Book!

Yelp

  •   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

  •   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 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

  •   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 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   Wonderful experience with Steve, highly recommended. The best tour. He tried to accommodate the tour to what we liked the most. Very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and pleasant. We’re planning to... read more do another bike adventure with Steve. Thanks Steve!

    thumb Blanca
    July 9, 2023

  •   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

  •   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

  •   The bike tour with Steve was great! He went above and beyond by sending out a pre-ride survey gauging our interest in specific topics and tailored the tour to what... read more we really wanted to see. Could not have asked for a better experience. Wonderfully safe way to explore Chicago during times of social distancing.

    thumb Emily
    October 9, 2020

  •   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.

    thumb Florian
    April 1, 2023

  •   One of the best tours of any kind I've ever taken. Steve's thorough approach begins even before you meet, with a survey to determine what topics and sites you want... read more to cover, as well as your biking speed and style. We met on time, and the hours flew by. I learned so much and didn't want the tour to end. Chicago, for one, is a biking heaven (I live where it's mountainous) and architectural treasure chest, and to have Steve's wide-ranging and deep expertise to tap on whenever I had a (Website hidden by Airbnb) was my ideal of the perfect tour. The route he created to match my interests showed me things I'd heard about, and many I didn't think to ask about (like that Mies van de Rohe had designed the campus of IIT). The bike loaner was great too.

    thumb Laura O
    May 28, 2019

  •   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

  •   Amazing experience! Made for who would like to know more about Chicago than the usual landmarks. I would advise it to everybody

    thumb Riccardo
    June 13, 2022

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

    thumb Pratyush
    July 3, 2021

  •   Steve was a excellent host! It was a beautiful late October fall, the sun was out for most of the ride but Chicago neighborhoods that we saw were on full... read more display! I felt very safe riding bikes around town with my group. It didn’t seem rushed at all. My bike tour was uniquely made for my boyfriend and I. We saw greenery, notorious Chicago and wonderful art murals. During the ride we got hungry and Steve took us to a great local place. On the trip my boyfriend mentioned we have to go back on this tour to see more and I couldn’t agree more. When I was biking through the neighborhoods I felt like it was a true local experience! I would recommend this trip experience for everyone visiting.

    thumb Lauren
    October 24, 2020

TripAdvisor

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

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    Meadow C
    August 27, 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
    Colin Knight
    August 1, 2021

  • 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 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 safe the whole time and still felt like I was in the middle of everything....More

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    avatar thumb Saltlakemike
    July 28, 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  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

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    dazelr
    September 17, 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! …

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    UrbanChicago
    July 1, 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

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    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

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    Kookoocachu
    October 18, 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.

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    avatar thumb Nadinevd
    September 28, 2018

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