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: willis tower

CBA Rides 21 (5 Photos)

December 2, 2024December 6, 2024 SteveLeave a Comment on CBA Rides 21 (5 Photos)
Four CBA riders standing in front of a vintage style Greetings from Chicago postcard mural, smiling at the camera.

Five views from past CBA rides

Read More

Posted in Photos, The Start, Tours in ActionTagged douglass park, greetingstour, lawndale, logan square, pablo serrano, pilsen, street art, university village, wicker park, willis tower

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

Read More

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

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

Looking Around 3

November 21, 2018December 3, 2018 SteveLeave a Comment on Looking Around 3

The third installment of what I saw the past week riding in Chicago.

Read More

Posted in Looking AroundTagged afrokilla, art deco, autin, avondale, birdo, blake jones, east Ukrainian village, james jankowiak, joe miller, lake view, mcpherson, midway place, movable bridges, queen anne, shawn smith, skyscrapers, street art, west garfield park, wicker park, willis tower
A book cover for 100 Things to do in Illinois Before You Die with blue text that says We're in the Book!

Yelp

  •   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

  •   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 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

  •   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

  •   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

  •   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

Airbnb

  •   Steve was an amazing tour guide. He showed us all of Chicago's neighborhoods and provided an authentic experience.

    thumb Jackie
    August 12, 2018

  •   It was a great day & I'd recommend it to anyone

    thumb Robert
    September 19, 2019

  •   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

  •   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

  •   Steve was incredibly friendly - we were greater with a big smile and an enthusiasm to show us the city. Even though we live in Chicago - Steve showed us... read more parts we haven’t seen before and we can’t wait to go back. It was also quite hot but Steve was willing to accommodate and be flexible due to the heat. Thank you so much Steve!

    thumb Meghan
    August 21, 2021

  •   This was a great adventure. Chicago is very bike-able. Steve tailored the tour to my interests and even added information/stops when he noticed something piqued my curiosity or if I... read more asked. Steve is knowledgeable and a great conversationist. We were able to communicate and enjoy the silences. I've gone to Chicago 5+x and there were beautiful spaces he introduced to me. I would recommend this to anyone and would re-book on my next trip.

    thumb Sarah
    September 9, 2018

  •   Steve was excellent! You get a great view of Chicago!! Worth every penny!!! Steve is well knowledgeable about the city and makes sure he answers all your questions!!! Hey... read more took us to eat great hamburgers!!!

    thumb Juna
    September 14, 2019

  •   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

  •   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!

    thumb Shannon
    March 17, 2021

  •   I thoroughly enjoyed my tour with Steve. He was extremely patient and accommodating. Steve was a great storyteller and was very enthusiastic about the various neighborhoods we visited on our... read more 12-mile journey through Chicago. Thanks for the wonderful photos and recommendations, Steve. I highly recommend this experience!

    thumb Alejandro
    October 4, 2023

TripAdvisor

  • 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

  • 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 1, 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  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 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
    ChicagoUrban
    July 5, 2020

  • 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  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

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.