Skip to content
  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • Gift Certificates
  • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Individual Maps List
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me
Chicago Bike Adventures

Chicago Bike Adventures

Custom guided bike rides through Chicago's neighborhoods.

  • Home
  • Guided Rides
    • Gift Certificates
  • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Individual Maps List
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me

Tag: unionstockyards

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (5 Photos)

March 9, 2020March 16, 2020 SteveLeave a Comment on Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (5 Photos)
A tour bike standing in front of a red brick two story former 1890 former train station with a five story red brick clock tower

Five photos from CBA’s map of the Upton Sinclair classic.

Read More

Posted in Literature, Photos, The JungleTagged bridgeport, hyde park, printersrow, uic, unionstockyards, university of chicago

CBA Rides 5 (10 Photos)

August 5, 2019September 9, 2019 adminLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 5 (10 Photos)
A CBA tour rider watching CobreArt putting up a ;arge mural of Quincy Jones.

10 pics of mid-summer CBA rides in action.

Read More

Posted in Photos, Tours in ActionTagged 18th street bridge, armour patch, art deco, bridgeport, burnham & root, chinatown, cobre, colin van der sluijs, east garfield park, greetingstour, hebru Brantley, lacuna lofts, logan square, megzany, movable bridges, palmisano park, pilsen, river north, street art, unionstockyards, wicker park

Looking Around 9 (16 Photos)

March 4, 2019May 16, 2019 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 9 (16 Photos)
A tour bike leaning next to the red terra cotta entrance of yellow and red brick patterned Rosenwald Apartments.

16 views from late February bike riding.

Read More

Posted in Looking Around, PhotosTagged bronzeville, douglas, east garfield park, lincoln park, park boulevard, pilsen, the gap, unionstockyards, west town
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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   Steve is really friendly and super knowledgeable about the neighborhoods & history in Chicago. The bike tour helps me learn more about Chicago as well I discover new places that... read more aren’t touristy. I am under 5 feet, so finding a bike that fits me is challenging, but Steve got a bike that fits perfectly for me. I have a great time biking around Chicago and 4 hours went by so fast! If you want to learn more about Chicago beyond the loop, then I highly recommend it.

    thumb Sophia
    March 28, 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's bike tour was an amazing and unique experience!! He weaves together a rich tapestry of art, culture, and social history. He also did a fantastic job at intuitively guiding... read more the bike ride. So much so that I barely had to think of where we were going and could focus more on all of the amazing things there were to experience along the way. The tour was a highlight of my trip and I regret there is not the opportunity to experience such a tour elsewhere.

    thumb Sarah
    November 12, 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

  •   A very non-confident biker I really appreciated the confidence and support of Steve, and my fellow visitor-rider too.
    Steve was able to add to the tour the sights we were... read more both interested in. We saw plenty of street art, and the ride was easy.
    I also appreciate the rout, that took us through residential areas with light or no trafic. And only when I gained enough confidence, we rode in a bit busier Avenue right at the end of the tour.
    Thank you Steve. I appreciate all the information about the neighborhoods that you shared. Would love to bike together next time I am in Chicago.

    thumb Nastya
    October 13, 2022

  •   Steve’s bike trip was great - he customized the itinerary to what we wanted to see and pointed out some off the beaten path items we never would have found... read more on our own. Overall, we certainly recommend a ride with him!

    thumb David
    May 8, 2021

  •   I can highly recommend Steve for being punctual, knowledgeable and overall for providing very nice tou (Hidden by Airbnb) ch making our experi (Hidden by Airbnb) ence even more memor... read more (Hidden by Airbnb) able!
    He definitely helped us bring (Hidden by Airbnb) ing colors to our vi (Hidden by Airbnb) sit to Chicago.

    thumb Oleg
    June 6, 2022

  •   This was amazing! We would happily do it again the next time we come to Chicago. We really enjoyed seeing the city. He has a wealth of... read more knowledge about Chicago. He is a true history buff! I was a bit nervous about the miles it would take to travel around the city. We went 20 miles but they were slow and at my pace. He will adjust the miles and pace based upon your needs/wants. He was willing to stop anytime throughout our experience to take pictures. He sent us a survey to ask what we were interested in and then tailored the tour to our wants. This would be a great introduction to the city if you have recently moved there or are tourists. He was also knowledgeable about other attractions in town. This was one of our favorite things we did while visiting Chicago!

    thumb Lisa
    July 16, 2019

  •   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

  •   Very knowledgeable and passionate. Steve will send you a survey before your trip and you fill out certain things that you are interested in. I feel like Steve does a... read more great job of customizing the trip to what you want to learn about.

    thumb Kevin
    March 26, 2021

TripAdvisor

  • 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  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  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  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  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  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  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  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 had an awesome time cruising around town with Steve. We went to places in Chicago I probably wouldn't otherwise go and learned a ton about the city. I felt... read more safe the whole time and still felt like I was in the middle of everything....More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Saltlakemike
    July 28, 2018

  • 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

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

  • 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
    • Gift Certificates
  • The Map
    • The Map on the Road
    • Individual Maps List
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
    • Contact me

© All Rights Reserved.

Proudly powered by WordPress | Travel Log by WEN Solutions.