Welcome
Greetings y’all,
Happy Spring to ya. Hope you have been living well and that you are starting to get a little more time outside, even with the fluctuating temps. It has been a steady build here at OOFD, feeling the brilliance of ride season creeping closer with each day! We just had our big Volunteer Training last weekend (with around 35 folks in attendance) which is a huge moment each year.
And The Hootenanny Fundraiser Vol. 6, one of the most fun parties of the year, is just about a week away! We have all kinds of amazing raffle prizes, not to mention the incredible company, fdrinks, and music. After that, we are blasting off with a bunch of events coming in late April and May. Read on to learn more about the Hootenanny, what we've been doing, our upcoming events, and of course, some gratitude.
The Hootenanny Vol. 6 Fundraiser Thursday, April 16
This not-to-be-missed event will be a gathering of some of the most fun, adventurous, and welcoming groups of folks you can ever dream to hang with. This year we will be back at one of Chicago's finest breweries, Midwest Coast Brewing Company in West Town, up on their beautiful second floor.
Your $45 ticket includes:
- 2 Midwest Coast beers or non-alcoholic beverage of choice
- 1 raffle ticket
- Food (chili mac with vegan and gluten free options)
- Live bluegrass music by Wild Scallions
- Outstanding company with old and new friends:)
Because you read the OOFD newsletters, if you get your tickets by this Saturday, you can get the early bird price of $35 by using promo code IREADTHENEWSLETTER.
Kids and dogs get in for free. You can read more about the event including the accessibility of the space as well as get your tickets here. This event has traditionally sold out though as of right now we have 60 folks sign-up so we’re looking to get around 125 more to sign-up in order to surpass the registration number from last year. . . so we could def use yer help spreading the word.
If you or anyone you know is around and available, you truly won’t regret coming out and supporting OOFD as we work to raise funds to kick off our season in a magical way partying down in community with y’all.
If you can’t attend, but you still want to donate and help us reach our Hootenanny fundraising goal, you can donate via this Hootenanny donation link.
And huge shoutout to our sponsors so far:
- Wheel and Sprocket ($1000) - plus an amazing new bike for the raffle
- SRAM ($500)
- Lendimi African Safaris ($250)
- Ride Illinois ($250)
- Patagonia.
- Not not to mention the over 40 organizations and companies that have donated over $7000 of amazing things for the raffle!
Upcoming OOFD Events
1. The Hootenanny Fundraiser at Midwest Coast Brewery
Thursday, April 16
Don't miss this party! See deets above and/or here.
2. Tabling at Spring Reset at Steelworkers Park
Saturday, April 18
Always a fun, community day as the Chicago Park District resets the climbing wall at this gem of a park. Lots of great orgs will be out. Stop by if you can. Runs from 10-2. Deets and sign-up here.
3. Bikepacking Clinic at Patagonia Mag Mile
Sunday, April 19
We’ll be out reciprocating with our beloved partners at Patagonia Mag Mile, leading a bikepacking clinic in their space. Plan to come out to learn some basics about bike camping as well as some hacks from OOFD pros. More deets to come.
4. Where the Wild Things Grow - Earth Day Trail Clean-up on Major Taylor Trail
Saturday, April 25
Join us for our annual Earth Day ride for 3 hours of environmental service with the Major Taylor Trail Keepers. We will join with other community volunteers to prepare the trail for summer by cleaning up trash, trimming trees, and pulling weeds. Meet in Bridgeport for the 10 mile ride to the service or meet us at the service. Deets and sign-up here.
5. Tabling at One Earth Film Festival at The Chicago Cultural Center
Sunday, April 26
Looks like such a great film (In Our Nature) with an Earth Day Resource Fair beforehand. Check out the deets here, and sign-up to attend as it promises to fill up quick. And stop by our table before the movie to say hey.
6. Adult Day Ride: Sketchbook Shakedown Ride
Saturday, May 2
Are you new(-ish) to bike camping? Want to gain some confidence on how to pack your bike, ride fully loaded, and/or in a group? Curious to test out new gear you bought in the winter? Well, here’s your chance! Pack your bike and ride to the starting point loaded – or drive to the starting point with your gear, and the OOFD guides will do their best to help you pack your bike. After we get everyone set up, we’ll ride up north together at a comfortable pace on North Branch Trail, get a feel for riding on roads as a group to our amazing partners at Sketchbook Brewing, and then head back to the starting point via Skokie Valley Trail. Deets and sign-up here.
7. Adult Overnight: What Lies West to Blackwell
May 2-3
This one’s been sold out for a couple months; our first bike camping trip of the year!
8. Tabling at The Volunteer Fair at Burning Bush Brewery
Sunday, May 3
This was one of our first ever tabling events back in 2016 when this was at the Nature Museum. It is now being organized by the awesome Trash People and promises to be an awesome event. Deets and sign-up here.
9. OOFD Monthly Hang at Ping Tom Park (Chinatown)
Tuesday, May 5 from 730-10pm
The main idea is to hang with the Out Our Front Door community and welcome new folks that are interested in riding or volunteering with OOFD. It is a fun, chill, casual time to socialize and hangout/have a good time.Deets and sign-up here.
10. Adult Overnight: The Good Land to Milwaukee
May 15-17
This one too is already sold out! Such a beloved ride and a big one so early in the season. Day 1 - 80 miles to Racine. Day 2 - 50 mile day trip to MKE before camping a second night in Racine. Day 3 - Ride back or train to Chicago.
11. Adult Overnight: Battle to the Dunes
June 6-7
This is the next Adult Overnight trip that isn’t sold out yet. Always one of the highlights of the year! Don’t snooze on getting your spot. Deets and sign-up here.
12. Family Overnight - Camp Sullivan
June 13-14
Our first family overnight of the year. Camping gear available to rent for free at the campground. A great, chill way to break into family bike camping with this lovely one nighter through the neighborhoods and trails of the SW side. Deets and sign-up here.
Volunteer Gratitude - Chris Zombory
Chris is an incredible force in the Chicago bike world, and they joined our guide crew in the last couple of years though they started riding with us back in 2017! They have steadily stepped in more and more to support our programs and are even lead guiding the first overnight of the year this year: What Lies West to Blackwell. They have such a fun, welcoming, and curious spirit and are always looking to help/support others whether on an OOFD ride or in the general bike world. We’re so lucky to have them as part of the OOFD crew and as a lead guide this year at that!
In their own words, Chris (they/them), a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has been biking all over Chicago for more than 30 years. Supporting people who are learning to ride is their superpower, and Chris managed the City of Chicago’s free classes at three levels before retiring recently. In 2017, signing up for OOFD’s inaugural Decemberg winter camping trip resulted in the most difficult ride of their life combined with the most heartwarming camaraderie (Chris did Decemberg again in 2024 and was delighted by the lack of 25 mph headwinds that year). Gardening, caring for community cats, trying vegan recipes, and working on their century home in Belmont Cragin are amongst Chris’s favorite things.
Recent Events We've Done
Monthly Hang at O'Donovan's Bar
Tuesday, March 3
We had a last minute venue change. Sorry if that made you miss us. It was still a great hang with about 35 folks out and our last minute hosts at O’Donovan’s bar were so gracious. And we collected heaps of used camping gear to support Switchback Gear Collective. Thanks to everyone that came out and contributed.
OOFD Guide Training at Big Marsh
Saturday, April 4
This training is always something really special with over 35 folks in attendance, a beautiful mosaic of OOFD OG guides and brand new folks. Everyone in attendance learned the basics of OOFD, where we are at, where we are going, what our values are as well as some very practical skills about bike mechanics, riding our adaptive bikes, and safe group riding. A bunch of folks, in true OOFD spirit, braved some rain and flooded roads to ride their bikes down to the training. Huge props to the OOFD Board’s Volunteer Committee and our intern Ashely Huerta for making the event as rad as it was.
Monthly Hang at The Beetle Bar (West Town)
Tuesday, April 7
We had a great turnout of about 25 folks last night. Had to move it inside due to the chilly temps. Never mad about a night at The Beetle and so much hype in the air for the Hootenanny and ride season. As always, a great mix of brand new to OOFD folks and OGs.
Other Awesome Upcoming Events
Trash Bash by Forest Preserves of Cook County at Miller Meadow
Saturday, April 11
Event partners (including Working Bikes) will be collecting electronics, prescription drugs, household recyclables, bikes, clothing, plastic bags and much more. The Forest Preserves will also be collecting books in good, clean condition. The first 25 donors receive a free, “Don’t be Trashy” t-shirt. Event near Forest Park, IL. Deets and sign-up here.
City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region event
Anytime from Friday, April 24 to Monday, April 27, 2026
Looking for organizations from nonprofits to nature centers and more! Join the global party and host a City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region.
It can be as simple or as complex as you want. Already planning stewardship or volunteer activities in the spring? Want a reason to host a hike, bird walk, or other adventure for kids or adults? Host your event, encourage people to look for wildlife, and upload sightings to the City Nature Challenge Chicagoland Region iNaturalist page.Deets and sign-up here.
Critical Mass Chicago
Friday, April 24
Join one of the most fun group rides each month on the last Friday. Meet at Daley Plaza round 6pm. Happy Friday.
Southside Critical Mass
Friday, May 1
Southside Critical Mass' ride is 1st Fridays at 5:45pm. Come join the ride from Nichols Park, 55th & Kimbark.The ride is free. Deets and sign-up here.
Bike Tire Changing Clinic at Patagonia Mag Mile
May 3
Led by the excellent folks at The Recyclery. Come out to Patagonia and meet some great folks and improve your fix a flat skills. This is part of Patagonia Mag Mile’s Chain Chats series here which we'll be leading a session later this month:)
Brompton Camping Trip with Cosmic Bikes to IN Dunes
May 16-18
Cosmic's first ever self-supported, overnight Brompton camping trip! They'll depart Chicago by train, and continue on dedicated bike trails from Hammond, IN to Indiana Dunes National Park.
No Brompton? No problem! Join them with the bike you have, or text them to check loaner Brompton availability. More deets coming soon here.
Ok y’all. That does it for this month. Hope you had a great Women’s History Month. I can’t wait to party down at The Hootenanny with y’all next Thursday to get the funds, the fun, and the general momentum rolling so we can blast off into bike camping season in May! Please, please be sure to spread the word about the Hootenanny.
Could end with Robin Wall Kimmerer every month. Basically closed my eyes and pointed and found this gem from Braiding Sweetgrass.
“We can't meaningfully proceed with healing, with restoration without ”re-story-ation” says Gary Nabhan. In other words, our relationship with land cannot heal until we hear its stories. But who will tell them?”
Re-story-ation! Goodness. Gives me something to live for, that’s for sure.
Thank you as always for reading these newsletters. See ya at the Hoot next week:)
Much love,
Glenn and the whole OOFD crew
