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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: cicero

Eastland Victims Homes 2 (5 Photos)

August 26, 2024September 2, 2024 SteveLeave a Comment on Eastland Victims Homes 2 (5 Photos)
A tour bicycle standing in front of an early 1900s one and half story raised wood single family home with a large fenced side yard.

Homes of 5 of the 22 entire families who died

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Posted in History, PhotosTagged austin, cicero, eastland disaster, homes, west garfield park

Eastland Victims Homes (10 Photos)

August 19, 2024August 26, 2024 SteveLeave a Comment on Eastland Victims Homes (10 Photos)
A tour bicycle standing in front of an early 1900s two story brick home with a looming Romanesque Revival yellow brick church down he street at left.

Former homes of 10 victims of the 1915 boat accident

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Posted in History, PhotosTagged cicero, faux stone, form stone, heart of chicago, homes, humboldt park, little village, permastone, portage park, sewer installation

Eastland Disaster Victims Map

July 24, 2024October 1, 2024 Steve2 Comments on Eastland Disaster Victims Map
A tour bicycle standing at front of an early 1900s flat roof red brick one story single family home.

Homes of those who died in the Chicago River ship tragedy

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Posted in History, MapsTagged cicero, city wide, little village, neighborhood homes, notorious

Looking Around 31 (10 Photos)

November 20, 2023December 4, 2023 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 31 (10 Photos)
A tour bicycle leaning on a roll up door with a Giant Robot mural on it.

Some shots from a very agreeable Fall

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged art deco, brighton park, chatham, chicago lawn, cicero, detour, east garfield park, garage art, janel young, john airo, lawndale, midcentury modern, north lawndale, public art, public sculpture, queen anne, ravenswood, street art, west humboldt park, wicker park

Looking Around 17 (10 Photos)

September 30, 2019November 4, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 17 (10 Photos)
A tour bicycle standing in front of a mid=century modern building with glass blocks in between thin gray pillars and short manicured bushes

Ten photos from the end of summer

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged auburn gresham, brighton park, churches, cicero, humboldt park, jonas mulokas, juan gabriel moreno, lake view, lithuanian plaza, little italy, little village, luis raul munoz, menace two, resa piece, schools, street art, tracee badway, ukrainian village, wicker park

Looking Around 16 (10 Photos)

September 16, 2019September 23, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on Looking Around 16 (10 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on a black plastic trash can in fornt of a roll up garage door painted with a mural of a rectangular figure with arms wide on a tripartite blue, yellow, a red background.

Ten more pictures taken while riding around Chicago this summer

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged chris silva, cicero, former factories, former firehouses, lawndale, logan square, my dog sighs, north center, north lawndale, roscoe village, street art, tri-taylor, wicker park, windows, yollocalli
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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   Great way to see the city! Really enjoyed Steve's company, and vast knowledge of Chicago's history. Our ride was tailored to our interests, which made the experience uniquely special.

    thumb Preetal
    July 11, 2022

  •   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

  •   Steve was great. He provided a survey up front to learn about our interests in advance of the tour and went out of his way to effortlessly swing by a... read more few esoteric places upon requests we had during the tour. He was super friendly, kind, and knowledgeable. We felt comfortable on the bikes and we do not cycle in our home city. He has an immaculate storage unit with a bike library. We felt like we had a friend in the city to show us around which was fantastic.

    thumb Wendy
    August 23, 2024

  •   Steve is super friendly and patient, especially considering I was late for the tour. Not only does he have an impressive array of bikes to choose from, but he also... read more ensured that we felt completely at ease and knowledgeable about operating them before embarking on the tour.
    Prior to our ride, Steve provided us with a general overview of the tour. Throughout the journey, I felt secure and comfortable riding with him as a guide.
    The neighborhoods we explored were pretty cool and showed the charm (and changes) of the city. I wish we could have explored more but the time constraints limited us.
    Another thing I wish for was the inclusion of a couple of stops at unique Chicago stores.... like a bakery, small bites, and/or merchandise (i.e. Thrift store).
    Overall, good experience and the couple who attended with me made it even better!

    thumb Danielle
    June 18, 2023

  •   Take the bike tour, you won’t regret it! Steve was very knowledgeable and shared some of Chicago’s history as we biked and made stops at different locations. He knew all... read more the street art stops, beer stops and the beautiful homes.

    thumb Ligia
    August 14, 2022

  •   We had a fantastic tour with Steve. He was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. Highly recommended!

    thumb Gabriel
    October 17, 2018

  •   A very non-confident biker I really appreciated the confidence and support of Steve, and my fellow visitor-rider too.
    Steve was able to add to the tour the sights we were... read more both interested in. We saw plenty of street art, and the ride was easy.
    I also appreciate the rout, that took us through residential areas with light or no trafic. And only when I gained enough confidence, we rode in a bit busier Avenue right at the end of the tour.
    Thank you Steve. I appreciate all the information about the neighborhoods that you shared. Would love to bike together next time I am in Chicago.

    thumb Nastya
    October 13, 2022

  •   My husband and I had a great time riding through Chicago neighborhoods with Steve. The pace was good and we loved getting such detailed history and information. We hope... read more to do another tour with Steve on our next trip.

    thumb Sherrie
    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

  •   Lovely tour! Very much enjoyed this - the small group size (4) was great and Steve did an excellent job of guiding us around Chicago. We rode... read more about 20 miles, which was very manageable / relaxed pace over the course of the tour.

    thumb Margaret
    October 14, 2019

TripAdvisor

  • 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

  • star rating  Steve was a great tour guide as we biked through Chicago. His pre-ride survey allowed him to tailor the ride to some of our interests. We were super confident navigating... read more the streets with Steve in the front. The street art was amazing as was the ride along the old L tracks and along the lake. Highly recommend. We will be back. …

    tripadvisor logo
    AmyK
    March 1, 2021

  • 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  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  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

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

    tripadvisor logo
    amyek-6
    March 21, 2021

  • 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  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  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  This is a great way to see more of Chicago and develop an understanding of the communities and... read more

    tripadvisor logo
    D2057BUshannonh
    March 22, 2021

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