Skip to content
  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • CBA Calendar
    • Gift Certificates
  • CBA Maps
    • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Architecture/Engineering
      • Adapted Synagogues
      • Bank Buildings
      • 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)
      • Movies
        • The Blues Brothers (1980)
        • The Dark Knight (2008)
        • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
        • The Fugitive (1993)
        • V.I. Warshawski (1991)
        • Stranger than Fiction (2006)
        • While You Were Sleeping (1995)
      • Public Art
        • Art Sculpture
        • Monuments and Memorials
    • Chicagoland Breweries
    • History/Geography
      • 1895 Boulevard Bike Ride
      • Chicago River and Water System
      • Division Street (Studs Terkel, 1967)
      • Eastland Disaster Victims
      • Notorious Chicago
      • A People’s History of Chicago (Kevin Coval, 2017)
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me
Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • CBA Calendar
    • Gift Certificates
  • CBA Maps
    • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Architecture/Engineering
      • Adapted Synagogues
      • Bank Buildings
      • 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)
      • Movies
        • The Blues Brothers (1980)
        • The Dark Knight (2008)
        • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
        • The Fugitive (1993)
        • V.I. Warshawski (1991)
        • Stranger than Fiction (2006)
        • While You Were Sleeping (1995)
      • Public Art
        • Art Sculpture
        • Monuments and Memorials
    • Chicagoland Breweries
    • History/Geography
      • 1895 Boulevard Bike Ride
      • Chicago River and Water System
      • Division Street (Studs Terkel, 1967)
      • Eastland Disaster Victims
      • Notorious Chicago
      • A People’s History of Chicago (Kevin Coval, 2017)
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me

Tag: lake shore path

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)

Read More

Posted in Indemnity Only, Literature, PhotosTagged 1880s, brutalism, googie, lake shore path, meeting halls, modernist, north kenwood, south chicago, the loop, uic, walter netsch

CBA Rides 10 (8 Photos)

June 8, 2020October 13, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 10 (8 Photos)
A CBA bike tour rider taking a picture of a garage mural of a pegion, girl, and bear walking single file in front of a dreamlike colorful city.

CBA is back for small custom planned Chicago neighborhood bike rides!

Read More

Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged 16th street, bronzeville, churches, dr c siddha webber, humboldt park, lake shore path, lunar new year, noble square, pilsen, pipsqueak was here!!!, skyscrapers, willis tower, yamdini
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 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   Steve was a fantastic tour guide! A bike ride is a great way to experience Chicago neighborhoods. I felt very satisfied with my experience. Steve knows a ton about local... read more history and is a great conversationalist. Highly recommend!

    thumb Sonya
    July 6, 2023

  •   If you want a personalized and fantastic Chicago tour- book this! Steve was a great tour guide, great knowledge of the area and the history of the area. It was... read more just the two of us and Steve and he was easy to talk to! We got to see the off the beaten path Chicago, definitely something I would get on my own. I cannot recommend this experience enough!

    thumb Leanne
    September 12, 2024

  •   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

  •   Really great experience, so glad I did it. Steve provides a form to help customize the tour to your interests and riding ability. It was a fantastic opportunity... read more to see local neighborhoods outside the loop and a fun alternative to traditional tours. I felt safe and comfortable at all times. Dress appropriately for the weather though, especially if it's cold.

    thumb Jesstine
    March 22, 2019

  •   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

  •   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

  •   We had a fantastic time with Steve! He is super friendly, knowledgeable, easy going and accommodating. Our tour was just the right amount of riding and discovery. I was in... read more town visiting a friend and she enjoyed the experience just as much as I did even though she has lived in Chicago for 10+ years. I would recommend Steve’s tour to both visitors and locals interested in learning more about the great city of Chicago!

    thumb Marcella
    November 10, 2018

  •   It was a great experience! Highly recommend to anyone, including Chicago’s residents! Great way to see the city and learn curiosities outside the mainstream turistic sights. Steve was very knowledgeable,... read more friendly and accommodating. If you still considering, just do it!

    thumb Pedro
    September 4, 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

  •   Loved it! Great way to get to know Chicago and have some fun on a bike at the same time. Steve was a great guide, friendly and knowledgeable.... read more We felt like old friends by the end, and we'd seen Chicago in a way we never would have without his tour. This isn't a downtown tour (too dangerous to ride bikes down there!), this is a tour of the neighborhoods and history--very interesting and fun!! Highly recommend!

    thumb Sheri
    September 29, 2018

TripAdvisor

  • 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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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

    tripadvisor logo
    ana_rg123
    March 1, 2020

  • 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

Archives

adaptive reuse architecture art deco austin avondale bridgeport bronzeville bucktown church conversions churches douglas east garfield park Frank Lloyd Wright fulton market historic schools history humboldt park lake view lawndale lincoln park literature little village logan square loop maps memorials midcentury modern monuments movable bridges movie locations near west side pilsen prairie school public art public sculpture queen anne schools sculpture street art uic ukrainian village washington park west garfield park west town wicker park

Previous Posts

Search

Archives

  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • May 2022
  • September 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • November 2017

Categories

  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • CBA Calendar
    • Gift Certificates
  • CBA Maps
    • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Architecture/Engineering
      • Adapted Synagogues
      • Bank Buildings
      • 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)
      • Movies
        • The Blues Brothers (1980)
        • The Dark Knight (2008)
        • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
        • The Fugitive (1993)
        • V.I. Warshawski (1991)
        • Stranger than Fiction (2006)
        • While You Were Sleeping (1995)
      • Public Art
        • Art Sculpture
        • Monuments and Memorials
    • Chicagoland Breweries
    • History/Geography
      • 1895 Boulevard Bike Ride
      • Chicago River and Water System
      • Division Street (Studs Terkel, 1967)
      • Eastland Disaster Victims
      • Notorious Chicago
      • A People’s History of Chicago (Kevin Coval, 2017)
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me

© All Rights Reserved.

Proudly powered by WordPress | Travel Log by WEN Solutions.