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Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

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Tag: typefaces

Looking Around 15 (10 Photos)

September 2, 2019September 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 15 (10 Photos)
A tour bike leanning on a tan yellow brick wall with a metal type sign accented by the heavy shadow of the letters.

Ten pictures taken during some mid summer riding around.

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Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged avondale, brutalism, bucktown, churches, commercial, evanston, logan square, noble square, north western university, street art, typefaces, ukrainian village, uptown, walter netsch, west garfield park

Looking Around 6 (15 Photos)

January 21, 2019August 19, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 6 (15 Photos)
A tour bike leaning on a mural of a black woman in a white head wrap and white piped black dress with a bright yellow sun or halo behind.

Photos from the first two weeks of January

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Posted in Looking AroundTagged albany park, brutalism, bucktown, east garfield park, homan square, humboldt park, street art, typefaces, uic
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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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 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

Airbnb

  •   I found Steve of Chicago Bike Adventures on Trip Advisor. They also have a website: (Website hidden by Airbnb)

    I wanted to enhance a four... read more day holiday in Chicago 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
    December 21, 2018

  •   I had few expectations since I’d never done a bike tour before. And, I was a little nervous about riding in the road in downtown Chicago, but Steve put me... read more quickly at ease with his years of experience and a well thought out route which included quiet streets and some non-motorized paved paths (just gorgeous). I also learned quickly how bike friendly Chicago is with well-marked lanes and even some protective barriers.
    Not only did the short, interests survey Steve sent me help to inform our trip, but he was very flexible in adjusting to accommodate my desires along the way. The scenery, architecture, views, landscapes, gardens and stories were fantastic.
    Steve is extremely knowledgeable, easy-going and funny. Not only did I have a great time and get some exercise, but I have far deeper understanding and appreciation for Chicago’s history and changing cultural landscape.
    If I’m in the area, I’d love to ride with him again!

    thumb H
    May 23, 2021

  •   Steven's Chicago Bicycle Tour is a radiant symphony of urban exploration, where the cityscape becomes a canvas and the wheels dance like notes on a musical staff. His guidance is... read more a gift bestowed upon the city, weaving through the streets with the grace of a maestro conducting a masterpiece. Like a skilled artist, Steven paints vivid panoramas with historical anecdotes, creating a tapestry of Chicago's rich past. Riding with him is not just a tour; it's a poetic journey, a rhythmic pedal through the heart of the Windy City.

    thumb Damian
    January 31, 2024

  •   The bike tour with Steve was great. A great way to explore a bit more than downtown Chicago and connect better with the city. Steve knows the region and its... read more history very well and he was a great guide. After the tour, he sent me a map with our route and some great pictures. Totally recommend this!

    thumb Livya
    June 11, 2023

  •   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

  •   Had a great tour with Steve. The personalized tour is a nice touch and he really made an effort to focus on what we were interested in. The ride is... read more pretty easy & he has plenty of bikes available to use.

    thumb Hema
    September 28, 2024

  •   Steve tailored the tour to meet the expectations and abilities of all riders, and he was a terrific resource, showing us everything from neighborhood architecture to murals and parks. I... read more learned so much in just a short time, and Steve’s cheerful demeanor was just icing on the cake. Five stars. Well worth the time!

    thumb Maggie
    October 13, 2022

  •   I've been to Chicago many times but really wanted to get to know the neighborhoods more. Riding around on a bike with Steve was great! Steve's knowledge of... read more history and historical events around the Chicago neighborhoods made this experience exactly what I was looking for. It helped that it was a beautiful day! I felt safe the entire time following Steve on the bike, and he was really good about checking in with me about what I wanted to do, how much I wanted to do, and if the pace was good. I especially appreciated Steve's passion for all the street art and the significance behind a lot of the artists' stories. I will recommend Steve to others and may very well take another tour with him when I bring family back to Chicago.

    thumb Kelly
    May 15, 2019

  •   I loved this tour. Excellent pace and great stories, cool artwork and fun attitude. I would definitely recommend.

    thumb Anita P.
    September 26, 2019

  •   Steve foi incrível. A melhor experiência turística que tivemos em Chicago. Aprendemos muito sobre a cultura local, a história da cidade e tudo isso de uma forma agradável e interessante.... read more Quero voltar para fazer mais tours com Steve. Valeu cada minuto.

    thumb Márcia
    October 30, 2024

TripAdvisor

  • 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  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  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  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
    Shannon H
    March 1, 2021

  • 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  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  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  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  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

  • 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

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