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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: jc rivera

Chicago Marathon 2023 Route Pics

October 2, 2023October 10, 2023 SteveLeave a Comment on Chicago Marathon 2023 Route Pics
A tour bike leaning on the painted metal fence of a heavily panted colorful gingerbread Queen Anne home.

Sites along the 2023 Chicago Marathon

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Posted in PhotosTagged burnham & root, chinatown, church conversion, douglas, former firehouses, gingerbread, grant park, jc rivera, kobra, lincoln park, movable bridges, near west side, old town, pilsen, public art, public sculpture, river north, streetart, streeterville, thegap, uic

Looking Around 22 (10 Photos)

May 4, 2020May 18, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 22 (10 Photos)
A tour bike standing below a modern structure, solid brown on bottom and paintedf yellow steel vertical slats and windows on top.

Views of neighborhood Chicago before the Covid-19 shelter-in-place

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged asend, avondale, churches, east pilsen, jas petersen, jc rivera, juan gabriel moreno, lincoln yards, logan square, movietheaters, pilsen, sickfisher, street art, the lie, west humboldt park, west town

CBA Rides 6 (10 Photos)

September 9, 2019October 8, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 6 (10 Photos)
Two CBA bike tour riders looking at a yellow brick Rennaissance Revival facade church.

More mid-summer CBA rides in action

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Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged b_line, bucktown, chris chanyang shim, churches, cls schriver, fulton market, graffiti barn, hebru Brantley, humboldt park, jake merten, jc rivera, jens jensen, little italy, logan square, michelle obama, polish downtown, pulaski park, river west, ukrainian village, wolf point
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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   perfect experience

    thumb Sheng
    July 25, 2019

  •   Steve's a friendly, knowledgable and fun guide and I very much enjoyed the tour with him! He personalises the tour well and I wish I had the time to do... read more another tour with him! Defnitely recommend!

    thumb Nora
    May 23, 2023

  •   Steve was an amazing host on this bike experience! My partner and I lucked out with it just being the two of us on this tour, so we had the... read more luxury of going at our own pace and Steve was always so patient when we took our time at certain spots. He sends a survey far in advance so that he can map out the group’s route to meet everyone’s preferences. Steve has a variety of knowledge about Chicago and it made for fun and entertaining conversation during our time together. I highly encourage everyone to give this experience a try!

    thumb Vanessa
    August 27, 2022

  •   Steve was great. The tour was very complete, he took us to all the cool neighborhoods of Chicago. We saw lots of street art, architecture, and many more things. I... read more have been living in Chicago for 5 years, and still managed to see a lot of new things. Had a lot of fun. Thanks Steve!

    thumb Maria
    October 9, 2020

  •   It was a great tour and Steve an amazing hosts. He knows a lot about Chicago and it is truly a must-try if you visit Chicago and want to better... read more understand the city culture, visit places like a local. The plus: he sent us our route on a map after the tour and pictures.

    thumb Flo
    September 5, 2022

  •   Steve is very friendly and extremely easy to get a long with; as a solo, female traveler I felt safe with him and trusted him to safely guide me via... read more bike around the streets of Chicago. He showed me unique parts of Chicago that I would have never explored if it weren't for the biking tour. I learned many, many things about the city including its complex historical culture, street art and brewing companies. He even took photos of me at the stops I found most enjoyable (great for the gram!). I definitely recommend this biking tour to anyone who wishes to experience the personal side of Chicago!

    thumb Gaby
    September 11, 2020

  •   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

  •   Steve was friendly and knowledgeable and had a good plan for the day. Great experience overall!

    thumb Lori
    July 1, 2021

  •   It was a great day & I'd recommend it to anyone

    thumb Robert
    September 19, 2019

  •   This 5 hour bike ride was wonderful. Steve is very knowledgeable and also low key. He genuinely tries to give you the best experience possible. We saw... read more lots of what we hoped to see, and also places we didn't know to ask to see. This is a wonderful way to learn about the history of Chicago. We rode all the time except fo a quick lunch break. So I think being fit helps on this tour. I am sure if you wanted more stops, Steve would oblige.

    thumb Barbara
    August 12, 2019

TripAdvisor

  • 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

  • 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

  • star rating  Excellent experience and would highly recommend. Steve, the owner and guide, was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and tailored the tour to our interests.

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb SLC3333
    May 28, 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
    amyek-6
    March 21, 2021

  • 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 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 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  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 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

    tripadvisor logo
    dazelr
    September 17, 2019

  • 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
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      • Movable Bridges
      • Preservation Chicago
        • 7 Most Endangered Structures of 2017
        • 7 Most Endangered Structures of 2018
      • Southern Exposure (Lee Bey, 2019)
      • Worthmann & Steinbach
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        • The Jungle (Upton Sinclair, 1906)
        • Native Son (Richard Wright, 1940)
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      • 1895 Boulevard Bike Ride
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