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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: 1890s

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

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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   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

  •   Going on a bike tour with Steve was a highlight of my long weekend in Chicago. The bike and helmet provided were of excellent quality. Steve completely customized the tour... read more for me. He knows many little details about the architecture, history, and culture of the places along the route. Thanks for a great day, Steve!

    thumb Colin
    August 15, 2021

  •   Really enjoyed this bike tour - felt very different from the “normal” touristy things; in a good way! I’d happily do the exact route again even though it’s completely customisable.... read more

    thumb Joe
    July 24, 2022

  •   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

  •   Had a great time riding through Chicago neighborhoods and downtown with Steve. Learned a lot of history on the place and enjoyed all of the street art!

    thumb Bill
    April 15, 2019

  •   Steve is a cycling encyclopedia. My wife and I did this tour on our first full day visiting Chicago, and we are so glad we did! The personalized tour highlighted... read more all kinds of things we were already interested in but couldn’t have learned anywhere else. If we ever come back, this is the kind of activity we could book again and have a completely different (and still fascinating and engaging!) tour.

    thumb Kate
    October 9, 2020

  •   Steve is a wonderful host who will personalize your experience. Steve provided great insight into the Chicago neighborhoods and their development. We learned about great spots to go and where... read more the best view is. Would highly recommend!!

    thumb Amy
    October 17, 2019

  •   The bike trip was great! Got to see many cool locations and learn a lot about the culture and history of Chicago. Steve is very friendly and knowledgeable will make... read more your experience a great one.

    thumb Justin
    October 25, 2019

  •   Very knowledgeable and passionate. Steve will send you a survey before your trip and you fill out certain things that you are interested in. I feel like Steve does a... read more great job of customizing the trip to what you want to learn about.

    thumb Kevin
    March 26, 2021

  •   Be sure to check on his policy regarding bad weather! The day we went, the forecast didn't look good, but he encouraged us to show up. After about 30 minutes,... read more it started raining pretty hard. We stood under a tree and he seemed to have no plan how to proceed. We were told that Steve would be bringing rain gear, but the jacket he gave me soaked through in about 5 minutes. I finally suggested we head somewhere inside. After waiting for another 30 minutes, the rain started to let up, but it looked like it could pick up again at any time. We had the choice of leaving the tour at that point because the bikes were still close enough to the storage location. If we kept going on the tour, we would have to go the whole way no matter the weather because we were responsible for getting the bikes back to the starting point. I didn't think we should be made to ride in uncomfortable weather on wet pavement, so we opted to leave but we got no refund.

    thumb Ward
    July 21, 2019

TripAdvisor

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

    tripadvisor logo
    Meadow C
    August 27, 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  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...More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Eeaags
    January 25, 2019

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      • Christian Scientist Churches
      • Church Conversions
      • Disused Firehouses
      • Frank Lloyd Wright
      • Green & White Brick
      • Historic Public Schools
      • Movie Theaters
      • Movable Bridges
      • Preservation Chicago
        • 7 Most Endangered Structures of 2017
        • 7 Most Endangered Structures of 2018
      • Southern Exposure (Lee Bey, 2019)
      • Worthmann & Steinbach
    • The Arts
      • Literature
        • The Coast of Chicago (Stuart Dybeck, 1990)
        • Indemnity Only (Sara Paretsky, 1982)
        • The Jungle (Upton Sinclair, 1906)
        • Native Son (Richard Wright, 1940)
        • Print Chicago
        • Sister Carrie (Theodore Dreiser, 1900)
        • So Big (Edna Ferber, 1924)
        • The Spook Who Sat by the Door (Sam Greenlee, 1969)
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        • The Blues Brothers (1980)
        • The Dark Knight (2008)
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        • While You Were Sleeping (1995)
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        • Monuments and Memorials
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