Tours

Shamrocks and Shenanigans Cycling Tour

Let’s bike to the South Side Irish Parade, go on a tour of Chicago’s Only Castle in the neighborhood of Beverly; we will also tour the amazing architecture and learn about the history of the region by resident cyclist Anne Alt, then enjoy lunch at Ellie's. This ride will be the first official Adventure Cycling Tour of 2017 as we pedal back to the south side.

Please visit the Adventure Cycling Tours website directly to reserve your spot.

https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/shamrocks-and-shenanigans/

Date: Sunday, March 12th
Time: 8:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: $20 (Includes a donation to the castle)
Departure Location: Daley Plaza (under the Picasso)
Total Distance Round Trip: 35 Miles
Average Speed: 10-12 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, camera, and something green.

We will kick our Adventure off departing from Daley Plaza, cycle along The Chicago River Walk, see a spectacular view of the Chicago River dyed green, Wolf Point, and The Eastland Disaster site. Next, we will work our way up the lake front to cross the newly constructed 35th Street Bridge. We will continue cycling through Bronzeville, Bridgeport; then we will head south to Beverly. Once we arrive in Beverly, we will tour the amazing architecture of the local neighborhood and learn about its history, enjoy lunch at Ellie's, participate in a tour of the Givins’ Irish Castle, then watch the South Side Irish Day Parade. The return trip will take us through a significant portion of the Major Taylor Trail built in honor of an African-American bicycle racer, civil rights pioneer, and author. We will make a final stop at Marquette Park, then head back to downtown Chicago.

Steelworkers Pilgrimage Cycling Tour

Steelworkers Pilgrimage Cycling Tour Reprise

Date: Sunday, May 21st, 2017
Time: 8:00am to 1:00pm
Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/steelworkers-pilgrimage-cycling-follow-up-tour-5202017/#tourBooking
Departure Location: The Spoke and Bird
Total Distance Round Trip: 25 Miles
Average Speed: 10-12 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, camera, and cash for lunch at the fishery.

Ride with us to Steelworkers Park to explore the park and surrounding area. Point's of interests include The Ore Wall, Southside Velodrome, St. Michael the Archangel, Ewing Avenue Bridge, and The Tomb of Andreas von Zirngibl (We have been granted permission by the owners of the decommissioned recycling yard where this tomb located to get up close to the smallest cemetery in Chicago. We will also stop off at Calumet Fisheries (Where the Blues Brothers Jumped the Bridge) for lunch before our return ride. Note: The vintage photo I used for this tour is what the area once looked like during the peak of U.S. Steel South Works Plant's operation.

Pedal To Pullman Adventure Cycling Tour

Join us for a cycling adventure back in time to the first successful working factory city in the United States founded by railroad car mogul George M. Pullman. Once we arrive, we will visit the Pullman National Monument and the Pullman Visitors Center, participate in an in-depth walking tour of the Pullman Factory Buildings, The Hotel Florence, and a neighborhood walking tour. We will also go on a cycling tour of the labor movement street art created resident artist JB Daniel and tours of the Back Alley Street Art Paradise created by another prominent resident artist Ian Lantz.

Date: Sunday, June 4th, 2017
Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Cost: $20 (Includes paid walking tour)
Registration Link: https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/pedal-to-pullman-06042017/#tourBooking
Departure Location: Spoke & Bird (205 E 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616)
Total Distance Round Trip: 40 Miles
Average Speed: 10-12 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks and a camera
Lunch: We will grab a bite to eat at The Pullman Cafe please look over their menu. http://thepullmancafe.com or bring your own lunch and enjoy relax at Arcade Park.

Gary Indiana Architecture Preservation Cycling Tour

Come ride with us on our next great cycling adventure to Gary Indiana for the cities organized Gary Preservation Tour Event. We will discover the lost architecture that is under way of being preserved. For 1 day only, we will join in on architectural walking tours and go inside many abandon buildings (without even sneaking in) that are being saved. We will also check out Lake Effekt where we will get the opportunity to witness over 60 street artists create amazing street art and urban murals.

Date: Saturday, June 17th, 2017
Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Cost: $20 (Includes a donation we will make as a group to the Marktown 100 Year Celebration)
Registration Link (https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/gary-indiana-architecture-preservation-cycling-tour-6172017/#tourBooking)
Departure Location: The Spoke and Bird (205 E. 18th Street)
Total Distance Round Trip: 60 Miles
Average Speed: 10-12 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, camera, and cash for lunch (TBD).

Here is the complete list of the buildings we will visit....

Gary Land Company Building

Union Station

Gary City Hall

Lake County Courthouse

Gary State Bank Building

City Methodist Church

Hotel Gary (Genesis Towers)

Old U.S. Post Office

Additional activities will be held at the following locations.

Heat, Light and Water Building

Art House

Gary Human Rights Commission Museum (Old Sears and Roebuck Building)

Graffiti and Gears Adventure Cycling Tour

We will be traversing the city on our bicycles on an art tour to visit many of the city's Murals, Graffiti Walls, and Street Art. Key points of interests include the Pilsen Mural Wall, Hubbard Street Murals, The 606 Murals, Permission Logan, Vivian Maier Mural, The Mile of Murals, and hidden gems in between all of these sites I have been tracking. Proceeds will be donated to West Town Bikes, please select a donation you can afford from one of the registration links below.

Date: Sunday, July 16th, 2017
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00pm
Cost: $5, $10, or $20

$5 https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/5-graffiti-and-gears-cycling-tour-07162017/#tourBooking
$10 https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/10-graffiti-and-gears-cycling-tour-07162017/#tourBooking
$20 https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/graffiti-and-gears-cycling-tour/#tourBooking

Start Time 1: 9:00 am Eckhart Park - 1330 W Chicago Ave Chicago, IL 60622
Start Time 2: 11:45 am West Town Bikes - 2459 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Start Time 3: 2:30 pm Chicago Mural - 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL. 60647

Total Distance Round Trip: 10, 25, and 50 Mile Round Trip Options
Average Speed: 10 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Lunch: https://www.facebook.com/empbike/ (you can also pack your own lunch)
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, cash for lunch, sunscreen and a camera

Once we arrive Logan Square we will receive an in-depth tour from Gabriel Carasquillo AKA FLASH of the ABC Crew (Artistic Bombing Crew), he began posting and documenting Chicago Graffiti’s culture. Two years later in 2005, he would become the Moderator for Chicago Graffiti Forums, a site used by schools and universities as a place of reference for students learning about the history of Chicago Graffiti. Today, the site gets 1 million visits a year. His Graffiti photo collection has over 35 years of Chicago Graffiti and street art. His photos have appeared in Roger Gaston’s History of American Graffiti and other graffiti publications. His block letters are featured in “CRACKDOWN 2” a video game by Ruffhouse for X-BOX 360.

For the past five years, Gabriel Carasquillo has curated “Project Logan” a permission wall which rotates various artistic styles of Graffiti. Most recently, he was invited to participate in the inaugural creation of the 606 Chicago Graffiti Garden Arena. Both projects serve as a visual record of an ever-changing community and the evolution of Graffiti. Another one of his loves is riding bicycles with the Classic Cruisers an old school beach cruiser club out of Humboldt Park.
Other well-known artists work we will visit throughout our adventure are as follows,
Banksy (I may know where there is still one left)

ROA
Hebru Brantley
JC Rivera
Nikko Locander
Etc. (Too many to mention)

Point and Shoot Camera Cycling Tour

Join us for this hands on photography lesson as we cycle through Oak Park Chicago to photograph the various historical landmarks and architectural creations of Frank Lloyd Wright and others. We will stop for lunch in Oak Park then proceed onward to Thatcher Woods (River Forest) for the nature portion of this photography lesson. This hands on photography lesson will provide you with all the techniques and tips you need to take stunning photos with your smart phone's built in camera. (Any smart phone or camera can be used for this lesson)

Date: Sunday, August 13th

Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm Cost: $20 (Includes photography lesson)

Registration Link: https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/point-and-shoot-camera-cycling-tour/#tourBooking

Departure Location: Daley Plaza (under the Picasso)

Lunch: TBD

Total Distance Round Trip: 30 Miles Round Trip Average Speed:10-12 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.

Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop

Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, sunscreen, smart phone or camera.

Bike to the Marktown Centennial Celebration

Date: Saturday, August 19th 2017
Time: 8:00am to 3:00pm
Cost: Free
Departure Location: The Spoke and Bird
205 E 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616
Total Distance Round Trip: 50 Miles
Average Speed: 12-14 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks and a camera

We have been graciously been invited back to Marktown to help celebrate the Marktown Centennial Celebration in Southeast Chicago, Indiana. We will participate in a Marktown Historic District walking tour hosted by Marktown’s preservationist and resident Paul Myers, plus various additional points of interest along the way and on the return trip such as The Ore Wall, Steelworkers Park, Wolf Lake, The Republic Steel and Memorial Day Massacre Site and Sculpture. Oh yeah did I mention we will search for a hidden Pullman Car?

Bike to Fermilab's Open House

Bike to the Fermi Labs Open House (We reserved 15 tickets https://www.facebook.com/events/1396735527062030?%3Fti=ia)

We will head out early and bike to the Fermilab Open House to enjoy nature and science!

Points of Interests along the way...

Illinois Prairie Path
Bison Farm
Nature
Trains
Broken Symmetry Sculpture
Wilson Hall
Fermilab's Open House

Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/bike-to-fermilabs-open-house-09232017/#tourBooking
Total Distance Round Trip: 80 Miles Round Trip
Average Speed: 12-14 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Intermediate / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, sunscreen, smart phone or camera, lights, cash.
Lunch and Dinner: TBD (Maybe Two Brothers?)

Graceland Cemetery Cycling Tour

Be a part of history and bike with Adventure Cycling Tours through Graceland Cemetery for a one of a kind tour. For the first time and with special permission we have been granted access to explore the history, architecture, landscaping, nature, and the wildlife that makes up this beautiful 120 Acre Chicago space. Graceland Cemetery was founded in 1860 and is the home of many architects and influential people that help build and shape Chicago. Along with its incredible design and architecture, Graceland Cemetery is also a certified arboretum and the home of vast wildlife. This tour also includes a visit to the Edgewater Historical Society to view the “Made In Chicago” exhibit. Meet at the fully restored Kwanusila Totem Pole along the lake front path then head for our journey to Graceland Cemetery. After our visit to the Edgewater Historical Society we will bike through The Wonderful Westridge Nature Preserve.

Date: Sunday, October 29th
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: $20 (Includes a donation to the Edgewater Historical Society)
Registration Link: https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/graceland-cemetery-cycling-tour-10292017/#tourBooking
Departure Location: Kwanusila Totem Pole (3510 N Recreation Dr, Chicago, IL 60657)
Lunch: The Empanada Bike https://www.facebook.com/empbike/
and First Slice Pie Cafe http://www.firstslice.org
(Bring Cash, Debit or Credit Card for lunch)
Total Distance Round Trip: 20 Miles Round Trip
Average Speed: 10 MPH with plenty of rest stops planned along the way.
Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop
Gear: bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, sunscreen, smart phone or camera.

Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, The Big Marsh, and ACME Coke Plant

We will begin our journey from The Prairie Avenue District (The Spoke & Bird) where George Pullman’s massive family residence once stood and then pedal our way to The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum located across from The Pullman Wheelworks Factory. The Randolph Pullman Porter Museum contains a permanent collection displays exhibits which are pertinent to the study of American Labor History with a specific focus on the African-American contribution to America’s labor history of the Pullman Company, as it relates to the labor history of African American Railroad employees.

We will then bike through The Historic Neighborhood of Pullman. Pullman was built in 1880 and was the planned model factory town where employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company lived and worked. George M. Pullman’s Town today still contains the Pullman Administration Building and Clock Tower, The Hotel Florence, The Green Stone Church, The Pullman Mural, and home to the newly installed former President Barack Obama and George M. Pullman Murals.

We will then head over to The Big Marsh which is 278 acres of open space sharing its past with Big Steel and the unique natural history of the Calumet region. Big Marsh creates a new legacy of outdoor recreational biking and public space stewardship.

If time permits we will bike past and get up close to the abandoned ACME Coke Plant which was constructed over the years 1905 through 1929. The Acme coke facility mainly consisted of two oven batteries, containing about 50 separate ovens inside each, as well as 15 brick buildings and a wooden quenching tower and is the backdrop of the Big Marsh.

Date: Sunday, November 12, 2017

Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm

Cost: $20 (Includes admission into The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum)

Registration Link: https://adventurecycling.tours/tours/to-the-big-marsh-and-acme-coke-plant-cycling-tour-11122017/#tourBooking

Departure Location: Spoke & Bird (205 E 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616)

Total Distance Round Trip: 40 Miles

Average Speed: 10-12 MPH with rest stops planned along the way.

Skill level: Moderate ride / No drop

Gear: bike, lock, helmet, warmer clothing, hydration, snacks and a camera

Pothole Art Bike Tour with Jim Bachor

A uniquely Chicago urban treasure hunt – by bike! Jim Bachor’s stunning and sometimes snarky mosaic works are the centerpiece of this casual group ride, tracking down each and every existing pothole Jim has lovingly adorned with unique mosaics since 2013. And, the artist will join us! Meetup is inside the Thorndale Red Line Station, where Bachor’s commission, entitled “Thrive,” was installed in 2014. We’ll then ride a winding west to east to south route that catches up with up to 25 pothole artworks, including two private commissions. Please bring cash for a lunch and drinks stop, tentatively scheduled for 1pm, and another possible drink stop along the way. Space is limited and demand is high – we recommend signing up ASAP!

More about Jim Bachor’s Pothole Art (video from CBS Sunday Morning): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrBWimf_4uY

Date: Sunday, November 19

Time: 10:00am to unknown end time – likely 5pm

Cost: $10 (Includes a Bachor sticker designed just for the ride!)

Departure Location: Thorndale CTA Red Line Station, 1112 W. Thorndale

Total Distance (Round Trip): 30 miles, with multiple peel-off opportunities

Average Speed: 8-10 m.p.h.with short and longer stops at each of the mosaics

Skill Level: Casual ride / no-drop

Gear to Bring: tuned-up bike, lock, helmet, hydration, snacks, cash, ID, and a camera

Please note: More details will be posted as we get closer to the ride date.