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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: pilsen

CBA Rides 19 (5 Photos)

May 6, 2024September 16, 2024 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 19 (5 Photos)
Two CBA riders standing with bikes in front of a two story mural of a cybernetic gorilla samurai.

Views from past CBA rides

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Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged dragon76, Egyptian Revival, fireproof warehouse, George S Kingsley, haymarket, labor, lawndale, lincoln park, mary brogger, nichols tower, pilsen, prairie school, sears tower, senkoe, titan walls, west town, willis tower

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

CBA Rides 11 (5 Photos)

October 13, 2020September 1, 2021 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 11 (5 Photos)
A bike tour rider standing below black and white murals of a bird and a fish skeleton on the corner of a yellow brick industrial building.

Five sights from CBA’s custom planned neighborhood bike rides

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Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged bucktown, cera strret art, lincoln yards, loop, lovecraft country, pilsen, ROA, west town

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!

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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

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

The Coast of Chicago 1 (5 Photos)

April 13, 2020April 21, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on The Coast of Chicago 1 (5 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on a colorful mural of Don Quixote.

5 locations from Stuart Dybek’s Lower West Side short story collection.

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Posted in Photos, The Coast of ChicagoTagged brewing history, brutalism, east Ukrainian village, greektown, little village, pilsen, polish chicago, south loop, street art

The Coast of Chicago Map

April 6, 2020April 13, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on The Coast of Chicago Map
A tour bike resting on a arched stone bridge over a reflective lagoon.

Sixty-nine Chicago locations from Stuart Dybek’s Lower West Side short story collection.

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Posted in Literature, Maps, The Coast of ChicagoTagged little village, marshall square, pilsen

Looking Around 21 (10 Photos)

March 2, 2020April 28, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 21 (10 Photos)
A tour bicycle standing in front of a Buddha figure made of wood painted aqua blue with a red sash siting, a brick building behind

Ten views from riding around Chicago the past few weeks

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged 19th century homes, brick work, bridgeport, east garfield park, fifth city, george nimmons, lake view, lincoln park, mathew hoffman, max sansing, pilsen, pre-1870s, sheffield neighbors, street art, vesna lazar, west town

Street Art in Warmer Times 2 (10 Photos)

February 17, 2020March 2, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Street Art in Warmer Times 2 (10 Photos)
A CBA bike tpour rider standing at a corner looking at two murals, one an orange mural with black and white child and baby bear, the other a male face covered in bark except for eyes and nose

Shots of street art from a warmer Chicago.

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Posted in Photos, Street ArtTagged 5th City, andy bellomo, anthony llewellyn, boystown, collin van der sluijs, fulton market, jas petersen, joseph renda jr, josue pellot, lake view, logan square, pilsen, pipsqueak was here!!!, ROA, sam kirk, sandra antongiorgi, solomon souza, wizard skull, yamdini

Looking Around 20 (10 Photos)

February 3, 2020March 4, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 20 (10 Photos)
A tour bicycle leaning on a mural of a knot, two fists, a man;s face and a pink and orange circle with the American eagle inside

10 views from the recent cold months’ rides

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged art deco, cesar perez, charles utero the 3rd, east garfield park, east humboldt park, jeff zimmerman, jim bachor, logan square, movable bridges, near north, old town triangle, pilsen, pre-1870s, revisecmw, uic-medical

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A book cover for 100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die with blue text that says We're in the Book!

Yelp

  •   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 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

  •   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 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   The bike ride around Chicago is a great way to see the city. Steve was very informative, funny, and curated a route that worked for everyone in the group. I’m... read more not an avid bike rider but I was able to keep up with the others and was able to overcome my fear of urban street riding. Highly recommend this tour.

    thumb Kelsi
    September 18, 2021

  •   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

  •   This bike tour with Steve was a great way to kick off my visit to Chicago and visit places that were off the beaten path outside of the downtown area.... read more The tour was thoughtfully planned out and allowed us to appreciate the architecture and some of the history of Chicago. Steve is very kind and accommodating, makes you feel safe and comfortable during your ride, takes pictures, and is a great guide. I would do this tour again and recommend it to those traveling to Chicago.

    thumb Rebecca
    June 7, 2024

  •   Awesome bike tour. Great way to see different neighborhoods of Chicago.

    thumb Anthony
    March 25, 2022

  •   We had an absolutely amazing time on our bike tour with Steve. We will be setting up another tour with him the next time we come to Chicago. He was... read more friendly, personable, professional and a font of information about Chicago history, architecture and art. What a great way to see the city! The tour was custom-designed for our interests and our bike riding experience. He provided everything we needed. Fun!

    thumb Laurie
    September 11, 2018

  •   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

  •   Great experience and nice way to experience the city. The gps maps and geo tagged photos at the end of the experience were amazing.

    thumb Ishan
    July 24, 2021

  •   The tour was amazing. We experienced Chicago in a one of a kind way. Steve is extremely accommodating, highly knowledgeable and easy going. We highly recommend this tour.

    thumb Sharine
    October 6, 2022

  •   The best bike ride i’ve had in such a long time. Thank you Steve for the tour of this magnificent city!

    thumb Sebastian
    July 24, 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

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  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  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  Steve was awesome! Catered the ride to my pace and showed me tons and tons of street art (just like I wanted). He was easy to talk to, very knowledgeable... read more and very down to earth.

    tripadvisor logo
    316drewr
    August 24, 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  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  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  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  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  This was a great experience! Steve was great, informative, and truly wanted us to have a great time. This is highly recommended and a great way to see the city... read more in a totally different way! His expertise in history exponentially added to the already great...More

    tripadvisor logo
    John R
    November 1, 2019

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