Welcome
Greetings y’all,
Hope your September was excellent. It definitely was for OOFD. In the last two months, we have had nearly 20 different events! Talk about finishing the summer season strong. And we got lotsa fun heading into the fall with our big Sun Harvest ride up to Illinois Beach State Park on October 18-19 and our last Family Overnight of the year to Camp Sullivan for Indigenous People’s Day on October 12-13. Read on to learn about all the rad bike adventures we’ve been making happen as well as some gratitude and some events that other cool bike/nature orgs are putting on in the next few weeks.
Featured Ride: Sun Harvest to IL Beach State Park
Sun Harvest. We've done this ride every year since our first season in 2016, missing just one in 2020. It is a big ol’ celebration to round out the year of bike camping. It also serves as an appreciation for our most dedicated volunteers who are welcome to ride for free. And it is a ride to celebrate the changing season and even catch some of the beautiful fall colors. We ride up along the lakefront on Day 1 and return via a series of trails including the Des Plaines River Trail and North Branch Trail on Day 2. You can get one of the limited tickets here.
We even have some grant funding to offer free spots to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) riders with financial restrictions on the Sun Harvest ride and all of our remaining Adult and Family Overnights in 2025. The grant even gives us some funds to help with any bike tune-ups that the riders may need. These free BIPOC tickets sold out in 24 hours last year, so if you or someone you know might qualify and be interested, you can register using the promo code - thriveoutsidegrant. Please check out this blog for more details on how to claim the spots.
Upcoming OOFD Events
For the first time all summer, this section will not be a near endless scroll of super fun bike adventures. Less to choose from means easier choices. Which adventure will you join us for as our main riding season slows down?
Roll to the River: Kankakee State Park
October 4-5
This is a new ride for us! A nice 80ish miles starting in Beverly down to Kankakee, riding 6 different bike trails from the Major Taylor Trail to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail. This is the furthest south an OOFD ride has even gone. Our scouting crew of volunteers that rode this last year said the ride and park are a delight. Day 2 is a cool 30 miles back to Joliet where we’ll hop the Metra back into the city. One spot just opened up on this small ride of just 12 participants and 5 guides. One spot left! Deets and sign-up here.
Monthly Hang at Promontory Point (Hyde Park) - Bonfire
Tuesday, October 7 from 730-1030pm
Join us for one of the best monthly hangs of the year with a bonfire on the lakefront with epic views of the skyline. All are welcome from OOFD OGs to folks brand new to the org. Come on out and learn a bit about what OOFD is all about and how you can ride with us or even get involved as a volunteer. Bring your own beverage and snacks. Deets and sign-up here.
Indigenous People's Day at Camp Sullivan - Family Bike Camping Overnight
October 11-12
The last Family Overnight of the year! Explore the beauty of our extensive forest preserves in the Southwest Burbs. We will ride through the southside neighborhoods of Beverly and Mt. Greenwood and eventually arrive to the Cal Sag Trail. As all of our rides celebrate this beautiful corner of the earth we call home, we acknowledge the many people who have lived here before us and seek to promote Indigenous perspectives into all we do. See above for how BIPOC riders with financial restrictions can register for free for this ride. Free camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads) provided thanks to The Forest Preserves of Cook County's CLIC program. Deets and sign-up here.
Autumn Sun Harvest - Adult Overnight
October 18-19
A ride through our beautiful fall landscape up to Illinois Beach State Park starting at Clark Park on the river on Chicago’s Northside. This ride is not to be missed. A big ol’ group ride of 80+ bike campers will be riding about 50 miles to the campground with lots of great vibes and cosy campfire hangs followed by a night sleeping in the lovely cool fall air and then riding back to the city along a western system of trails including the DPRT and North Branch Trails. Still some spots left. See above for how BIPOC riders with financial restrictions can register for free for this ride. Deets and sign-up here.
Happy Hour with OOFD’s Executive Director at Beermiscious (Lakeview)
Wednesday, October 22
Once a quarter, OOFD’s Executive Director and Co-Founder, Glenn, will be at a good Chicago Happy Hour spot, and available to discuss any ideas or questions you have for OOFD and even get to work on them a bit together. This is open to anyone, OOFD volunteers and the broader community. If you are new and curious about OOFD or if you are an OG guide, everyone is welcome. Drop in anytime between 4:30-6:30pm, and/or join for a bike ride starting at 6:30pm. Deets and sign-up here.
Monthly Hang at Exchequer Pub (The Loop)
Tuesday, November 4 from 730-1030pm
Join us for the last Monthly Hang of the year at one of the best pubs to hangout in all of The Loop. All are welcome. Deets and sign-up here.
Decemberg - Winter in the Woods
December 13-14
The last bike camping/cabining trip of the year! This one always sells out. Join us as we ride about 45 miles up to Camp Reinberg in Palatine for a night in heated cabins (camping is an option for those with the courage and gear to sleep outside in December). See above for how BIPOC riders with financial restrictions can register for free for this ride. Deets and sign-up here.
Volunteer Gratitude - Olin Postlethwait
There’s some guides that you meet and are just like, “Dang! You were born to be an OOFD guide.” That is Olin. He always brings a very fun, welcoming, and adventurous spirit along with big enthusiasm for the outdoors and some next level planning and organizational skills. All of this came in clutch as he was the lead guide for our huge Battle to the Dunes ride in June. He pulled off one of our most organized rides ever (for 70+ participants) and that was his first time lead guiding an OOFD ride! He stepped last minute to help lead guide on our big Flock Off the Block ride too. He did all of this while he is also out there supporting a variety of different bike orgs around the city. Goodness is OOFD lucky to have Olin as a part of the guide crew.
In his own words, Olin (he/him) moved to Chicago in 2014 and lives in the Bridgeport neighborhood with his wife and two idiots cats. Initially exploring the city on a 90s Trek 1000 road bike, he came to discover there was a larger bike community in the city when he started volunteering for Working Bikes. After meeting some rad individuals at a monthly OOFD hang, he learned there was so much more to explore outside the city on two wheels, built up a do-everything-ready-for-adventure rig, and signed up for the OOFD volunteer training. Since then, he’s enjoyed everything bikepacking whether it be a short overnighter to Illinois Beach State Park, or a week long tour spanning entire states. When he isn’t volunteering with Working Bikes or OOFD, you can usually catch Olin hanging outdoors with friends, watching a good movie at the Music Box, nerding out playing a crunchy board game, exploring National Parks, or observing the White Sox play mediocre baseball.
Events We Did in the Last Couple Months
As you can see below, things were a bit busy at OOFD in August so I missed getting the August newsletter out. Plus, I was a bit busy getting married:) But I didn’t’ want to miss highlighting all the amazing events we’ve done in the last 2 months. I count 18 different events! Goodness are the OOFD volunteers so freaking next level to be able to plan and pull off so many great bike adventures in the heart of Chi summer.
Family Bike Camping in the City - Gompers and Emily Oaks
August 1-3
A super fun and hyper local bike camping adventure in partnership with our good friends at the Chicago Park District and Emily Oaks Nature Center. We spent the first night campout in Gompers Park on the Northside. Then, we had a full day of adventures, including a stop for ice cream en route to camp with our friends at Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie.
Monthly Hang at Rainbow Beach (South Chicago)
Tuesday, August 5
Lots of new and interesting folks came by this hang on a beautiful summer night on the Southside.
Flock off the Block - Camp Sullivan
August 9-10
We had nearly 70 participants plus another 25 guides choose their adventure, 20, 40, or 60 mile options en route to Camp Sullivan for this huge bike camping party! We had families and adaptive riders along as well. Plus, live bluegrass music by Wild Scallions, catered food by Hienie's McCarthy's of Orland Park, and beer from Sketchbook Brewing. Always an amazing good time.
Family Blackwell Campground
August 15-17
One of the most beloved Family overnight’s of the year again sold out for this awesome annual tradition. We even had a couple of our long-time kids on this ride pilot out our Junior Guides program, and they rocked it.
Adult Overnight: Waterways to the West - Starved Rock
August 22-24
If you haven’t ridden this ride, it is a must at some point. This is many guides’ favorite ride and arguably one of the best local trails in Chicagoland, the I&M Canal Trail. 110 miles from Chicago. We amazingly had a rider with a disability come along on one of our custom adaptive Pino bikes which was piloted by two different OOFD guides, and they planned to only ride part of the distance, but actually completed the full 110 miles! A simply amazing feat. Major props to the stoker, Ryan, and the two pilots that switched off, Ted and Rich, for making such a huge ride/adventure happen. Far and away the longerst we’ve had an adaptive rider ride on one of our overnights.
Where the Wild Things Grow ride to Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary with Patagonia
August 23
This was our 4th year in a row doing this ride with Patagonia Mag Mile and with the site stewards at Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Such a beautiful space right on the lake. The riders ended a warm summer day of service with some dips in the lake.
Adult Day Ride to Morton Arboretum
August 29th
The folks at Morton Arboretum are so top notch. We love partnering with them on this ride. We even had a couple of their staff join us for the ride and give a tour of the arboretum once we arrived. Such a cool day ride that really connects our riders with some epic nature right out our front door.
Tabling at Bike the Drive
August 31
A day of bike utopia in Chicago. We were honored to be back tabling in Grant Park. Huge props to Active Transportation Alliance for putting together this amazing event every year.
Adult Day Ride - Prairie Path to Two Brothers
September 6th
We tried out this classic ride along the Prairie Path out to Two Brothers Brewery and then took the Metra back home.
Adult Overnight - Monday Funday to Big Marsh
September 8-9 (Monday-Tuesday)
As we continue to ask ourselves, “how can we be more inclusive” and “who are we leaving out,” we came up with this ride so we can welcome folks that usually have to work weekends. Those that do have weekends off might just want an excuse to take a couple days off of work and go bike camping instead. It was such a good campout at a super unique camping spot. Huge thanks to the folks at Big Marsh for helping us make this happen.
Tabling at Fall Nature Fest at LaBagh Woods
September 13
Big props to The Forest Preserves of Cook County for putting together this awesome event. There were nearly 70 local environmental organizations present. We even brought out one of our adaptive bikes to raise awareness for the accessibility of our rides.
Ride to Valhalla - Door County
September 12-15
4 days, 3 nights of riding around Door County. 2 of those nights were spent camping on an island in Lake Michigan, Washington Island. Our crew of 25 even saw the Northern Lights! Like big time! They appeared on the horizon while we ate dinner and listened to local musicians play songs around the campfire. It's always hard to pin down a favorite OOFD moment or trip but dang is this one right up near the top.
Canal Origins Park with Friends of the Chicago River
Saturday, September 13
A very cool service day with Friends of the Chicago River at Canal Origins park in Bridgeport. Got to ride bikes then clean up the river. We had a solid crew of over 10, and even did this ride in conjunction with Ride Illinois’s “Let’s Ride” campaign.
Family Day ride with Bikes N Roses
September 20
We were invited to co-host a cool ride around Austin with a long time friend and partner of OOFD, Bikes ‘N Roses. It was a fun, chill ride followed by a BBQ at the beautiful BUILD Chicago space at 5100 W. Harrison.
Research Ride to White Pines State Park
September 20-21
Every year we send a couple of crews out to scout potential new bike camping trips around Chicagoland that our volunteers suggest. We had a crew of 4 folks ride out from the Geneva Metra station to White Pines State Park near Oregon, IL to consider if it might be a good route and destination for a future OOFD ride.
Adaptive Day Ride with CITE and Opportunity Knocks
September 26
One of our star new volunteers, Daniel, is a teacher of special education in Oak Park/River Forest, and they hosted a party at a Forest Preserve Picnic Grove, Miller’s Meadow. They had games, a DJ, food, and we brought the bike adventures, riding with over a dozen young people and adults with disabilities in the beautiful trails and preserves where the Goldenrod flowers were in such brilliant bloom. A truly special day and some great connections made.
Adaptive Day Rides at Opportunity Knocks Softball Tournament
September 27
The very next day, Opportunity Knocks hosted their big, annual softball tournament, and we were present tabling and even giving some rides to folks with disabilities in between the softball games. Opportunity Knocks and CITE are such next level organizations/schools that serve folks with disabilities. We were honored to be able to be a part of these two big events. Definitely excited for the future of this partnership!
DIY - Shabonna
September 27-28
This ride is a little different. You can leave from wherever you want, whenever you want, with any other friends that have registered. You can ride as fast or slow as you would like and create any route you want to get there. This is truly a choose your own adventure. And then the riders came together at camp, around a fire, dinner, and even coffee and breakfast in the morning.
Other Awesome Events Upcoming
If you ride bikes, you know, there are endless possibilities to join a group for a ride or a fun social outing/party. Here are a few that we know some of our partners and friends are putting on.
Southside Critical Mass
Friday, October 3
1st Fridays at 5:45pm and ride at 6:15ish. From Nichols Park (south end, 55th & Kimbark) 1300 E. 55th St, Chicago. Deets and sign-up here.
Working Bikes Anniversary Party
Saturday, October 4
Join one of the best bike non-profits around for their big 26th Anniversary Party and Fundraiser. They block off the street for this blast of an event. Runs from 4pm-8pm. 2434 S. Western Ave. Food, drinks, games, and just lotsa fun. Families very much welcome. Deets and sign-up here.
The Brain and Nature talk at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Wednesday, October 8
The natural environment has a surprising impact on your brain and your behavior. Come learn about your brain and how nature can work to your advantage! Marc Berman, PhD, is founder and director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago. He will discuss his new book, Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being. 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Deets and sign-up here.
KEEN Fest
Thursday, October 16
You gotta come out and support this absolutely incredible organization at their annual fundraiser. They do so much good work supporting kids with disabilities and engaging them in fun play, sports, and exercise. This party is always a blast with great food, drinks, prizes, and people. This year it will be at the beautiful Arbory 2219 W. Grand Ave. Runs 630-930pm. Deets and sign-up here.
Critical Mass - Halloween Edition
Friday, October 31
Meet at Daley Plaza for this amazing Chicago biking tradition on the last Friday of every month. Probably one of the best of the year. Costumes will be out in full force. Happy Friday! Deets here.
Ok. Well, you can see that this summer has been chocked-full of great bike adventures. If you like what we do, please remember that we are a 501c3 non-profit and very much appreciate any donations you can make to help us keep making our inclusive bike adventures in nature happen. We are really close to hitting our fundraising goal for the year (which for us ends on October 31). If you are so inclined to help us reach our goal, please consider making a donation here.
And with that, let’s close with a quote from Gavin Van Horn in his essay in the book Kinship Vol. 2 Place.
We speak this way about places because we often feel we belong to these places while we are there; and we feel an equal sense of longing when we are not. Perhaps it is the scent and smells, or the feel of the air of a place that stirs an internal, primal desire to embrace a landscape. Maybe there are vistas and colors that stir a need to embody a habitat as part of one’s being. It is difficult to identify exactly what it is about natural lands that awakens human connections to nature, but those connections are real and seem to touch all of us.
Thanks as always for reading these dern near novel length newsletters. It really does mean a lot. I look forward to pedaling with many of you soon.
Much love,
Glenn and the whole OOFD crew
