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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: portage 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

Looking Around 30 (12 Photos)

September 12, 2023October 2, 2023 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 30 (12 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on yellow painted posts in front of a wall covered in yellow painted and unpainted pipes with a Mexican style female skeleton with grand wide hat among the pipes.

Sights from recent rides

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged austin, edgewater, glen ellyn, little village, maywood, midcentury modern, north lawndale, portage park, west ridge, wicker park, worthmann & steinbach

While You Were Sleeping Map

December 24, 2018January 21, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on While You Were Sleeping Map
A tour bike standing in the grassy courtyard of a red brick apartment building with limestone entrances.

A Chicago CTA worker pretends to be the fiancee of a comatose man

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Posted in Maps, MoviesTagged la grange, lake view, logan square, loop, maps, movie locations, portage 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   We had an excellent experience on Steve's Chicago Bike Adventure. We all enjoyed the day immensely, felt comfortable and safe, and learned a lot about the neighborhoods, street art, and... read more city. It was such a fun way to experience the area. Steve also provides a bike map of your tour with photos from the day, which is a fun way to remember the experience and learn more about the sites visited. The tour was customized to our interests, and Steve was open to our questions. I would highly recommend the tour, and will probably participate again when I visit Chicago.

    thumb Lisa
    August 15, 2019

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   We loved this tour and really felt that we got much better sense of Chicago because of it. Steve tailored the tour to our interests and had great info about... read more the history and architecture of the areas we explored. We used Steve’s bikes and found them to be well maintained and comfortable to ride. Even our 14 and 15 year old sons gave the tour a big thumbs up. Thank you Steve!

    thumb Satara
    July 13, 2024

  •   Steve was great. You are asked to fill out a form before the trip, so that Steve can adjust the tour to specific interests and abilities. Steve was easy to... read more communicate with and gave us a wonderful taste of Chicago on bikes. I would totally do this again and have Steve show us around a different part of Chicago.

    thumb Blake
    April 13, 2024

  •   This was a great experience that I would highly recommend. It is fun, educational and a great way to see the city. Steve is knowledgeable and engaging. He is a... read more also a great communicator and very patient. Book this trip with confidence that u will have a memorable time getting to know Chicago in an unique way!

    thumb Kathy
    April 23, 2021

  •   This was a great tour! Even though spending 5 hours on a bike touring around Chicago's neighborhoods might sound daunting, this is a tour for anyone with basic fitness... read more and biking skills. Steve was really friendly, had a vast knowledge about Chicago's history and culture, and knew lots of interesting details about the neighborhoods and their histories. The tour was from 10-3 on a weekday, so we missed rush-hour traffic, and Steve's route was mostly through safe and easy-to-navigate neighborhood streets and bike-friendly paths. We stopped often to talk about the neighborhoods, so nobody ever got tired or winded. Chicago is a beautiful, open city with amazing architecture and history, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn about some of its neighborhoods outside of the main downtown Loop. Thanks Steve, and thanks Chicago!

    thumb Dominick
    August 12, 2019

  •   Steve is a best story tellers I have ever meet! We talked a lot during travel. It’s beyond my expectations a lot! I would contact him again when I return... read more to Chicago!

    thumb Tian
    December 20, 2022

  •   Wonderful experience and way to get to know the city. Steve was very knowledgeable & prepared!

    thumb Jada
    October 15, 2021

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  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  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 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  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  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 you on the bike and I felt very safe

    tripadvisor logo
    dazelr
    September 1, 2019

  • 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  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  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

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