One of the most inspiring of OOFD stories was Shawn McCrimmon. Shawn had never bike camped before 2019, but he read some of our “how-to” guides on our website, zip-tied a milkcrate to his rack, bought a cheap tent, and made it happen on our Camp Shabonna ride (in some sleeting rain/snow for that matter).
From there, Shawn became a regular on many of our bike camping trips, and over the next couple of years, he slowly built out his bike and camping gear. Then, Shawn took the step to become an OOFD guide, which he was incredible at with his laid back and fun attitude. Also, he was able to very well relate to any new folks that were bike camping for their first time, encouraging them along on the rides.
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Finally, three years after Shawn’s first ride with us, he was at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, and he pulled me aside and said, “Glenn, I’m really sorry but I’m not going to be able to guide next year.” I was like, “Dang! We’ll miss you next year but we understand. Do what you got to do. Can I ask why you can’t guide? Is everything ok?”
“Yeah, everything’s ok. It's just that I’m quitting my job, and I’m going to bike around the world for the next couple of years. And I never would have even thought of this if it weren’t for Out Our Front Door.”
I got teary-eyed and gave him a big hug, and told him I was so happy for him and inspired! I asked him when he was leaving, and he said in April. I told him we have a ride scheduled for April, so if it works out, we’d love to ride him out of Chicago. And so that’s what we did.
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Shawn was a guide for our first ride in 2022 as we rode back out to Camp Shabbona where he did his first fateful OOFD ride 3 years before. And he camped with us, helping make dinner and supporting the other riders and guides. Then in the morning, we all packed up camp, and rode out of camp together. And as we hit the Burnham Greenway a couple miles into the day, the group was set to turn north back towards the city, and Shawn was set to turn south on his way to the East Coast and eventually over to Europe, and the Middle East and onward.
As we approached the turn, we had a guide hold Shawn up at the back and all of the other guides and participants rode ahead and we lined the trail so that as Shawn rode past, we were lined up, clapping and cheering him on. At the crossroads, he stopped and gave the guides a hug, and then turned south.
And he did it. He rode his bike all over the world for over two years now. He comes home to Chicago from time to time and will randomly pop up on an OOFD ride or Monthly Hang when he’s home. Shawn is one of the most inspiring adventures I know, and within the community of OOFD folks that is loaded with incredibly adventurous folks, that is really saying something. And OOFD is so proud to have been able to play even a small party in such an inspiring person’s adventure.
Shawn’s story really is an embodiment of our Vision Statement. Out Our Front Door works to welcome bike campers, both veterans and newbies to these type of adventures, on our local trips. Each year, around 40% of the folks that ride with us have never bike camped in their lives. Which last year, that was more than 220 riders! And many of these first time bike campers go on to do their own bike camping trips, with their friends as well as rejoin other OOFD rides. Many of them even go on to be OOFD guides, volunteering their time to help welcome other new riders on our adventures.
Cheers to Shawn and all you first timers that trusted and believed in OOFD to support you through your first bike camping adventure!
