Adult Overnight
Flock Off the Block
Come Flock Off the Block with us! This is a family friendly party. It includes a catered dinner, live music at the campsite, and so much more!
We will have a variety of start points around the city. And we’ll be providing a truck to haul your gear if you choose the Southside Start Point.
$105 for adults. $55 for kids.
Starting Points and Mileage
Southside: Wild Blossom Meadery in Beverly - 20ish mile ride
This is the main start point. We will have about 40+ folks starting the ride here at 10am. Neighborhood street parking available overnight. The truck will be here in the morning to load your gear.
This is the only start point for families and only start point where gear transport will be available. Riding pace will be 10-12 mph t and about 7-10 mph for the family group.
Central: Patagonia Mag Mile Downtown - 40ish mile ride
There are 28 spots available for adult riders to start here at 830am. Riding pace will be the usual OOFD overnight pace of about 12 mph.
Westside: Pedal to the People in West Town - 60ish mile ride
There will be 28 spots available for adult riders to start here at 730am. Riding pace will be the usual OOFD overnight pace of 12-15 mph.
Northside: Mack's Bike and Goods in Evanston - 65ish mile ride
There will be 14 spots available for adult riders to start here at 7am.Riding pace will be the usual OOFD overnight pace of 12-15 mph.
Gear Transport
We will have a truck only to haul the camping gear of those that choose the Southside Start Point. Folks starting at the North, West, and Central start points, you will need to haul your own gear to camp on your bike. For those starting on the Southside and that are putting gear in the truck, please be sure to pack it tightly in a bag or bin. Gear will be brought back to Wild Blossom Meadery on Sunday for riders to pick-up.
No refunds. See transfer policy here. See our Radical Inclusivity Statement here. And a packing checklist here.
About the Guides
Our guides are part of a community of volunteers that believe in adventure and helping others find adventure right out our front door. They exude a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive spirit which are foundational values at OOFD.They have love and appreciation for their home and like sharing knowledge about that home with others, thus helping the riders to develop a stronger sense of gratitude for our local history and nature.
The guides will be set with the route and an extensive script about the area you’ll be riding through with intentionally chosen breakpoints along the way.
They are more than someone to follow on the ride. They are trained and will be there to encourage and support you as well as support with mechanicals that may arise.
Transfer/Refund/Cancellation Policy
Participant Cancellation: No Refunds. By registering, you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event. Tickets cannot be resold.
Transfers permitted three days before the event and to an event in the same calendar year. Fill out this transfer form in order to process your transfer. If there is a price difference between the ride you are transferring into, you will either be refunded or we will reach out to you to pay the difference. Contact us if you have any issues.
Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be canceled. In the rare circumstance the organizer cancels the event at their discretion, registered participants will receive a full refund. To date, this organization has canceled minimal events.
Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain, storm, or any other weather. We ride rain or shine. Chicago weather is typically passing, if the weather requires, we will pause the ride and wait in a sheltered space then continue biking. Some of the best views of the lake and greenery on the trails are after a rainstorm.
Radical Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination Agreement
This is included in your registration form. Showing up with a welcoming and inclusive spirit is crucial and expected of everyone that rides with us.
Bike Camping Packing Checklist and Tips
Learn More About Us
Flock Off the Block
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Some are easy and others are a challenge, but just about anyone who has ridden a bike for a day can do the tours. If you are not an avid bike rider already, you should build up your riding distance/endurance. Not sure you can ride it? Check out other people who completed our tours here
First, always bring a spare inner tube. Our prepared Guides are always ready to help, are trained for emergency repairs, and carry extra tools and supplies.
The pace we ride at is around 12 miles per hour. This is to accommodate everyone riding the tour, to be able to take in all the views and to be able to ride a second day. You have to remember their is a second day and you should pace yourself. (We are bikers but we are not running a Tour de France). Family, Youth and Adaptive Rides roll at a slower pace to accommodate those along from the ride oftentimes dropping to the range of 8-10 mph.
No. We still ride if there is rain. Some of the best views are after a rain storm. Though safety is our top priority, so if there is extreme severe weather we will break and wait it out in a provided shelter, then continue on our journey.
We do our best to ride together as a group. That said, if some space occurs in the group, the OOFD guides will not leave anybody behind. A guide will always be riding at the back and at the front.
Always bring two spare inner tubes and a bike tool kit if you have one. Dress for the season, during spring and fall make sure to bring gloves for your hands and layer your clothing. Even when the weather is nice, when riding your bike the wind can make you chilly really quick.
We champion perseverance and the challenge. We encourage to push on, the reward of completion is great. But if turning around is an absolute must, there is always a train station relatively close by throughout the entirety of the tours.
It's really up to you. But we recommend a Touring, Road, Urban or Hybrid bike. These types of bikes make for a more comfortable ride. Attaching a bike rack will help carry your daily supplies and keep weight off your shoulders. Almost all of our routes are on paved paths/lanes or crushed packed limestone.
At the moment no. Our goal as we continue to grow we will be able to provide bicycles for participants.
Most of our rides are 2 days though we have some that are 3, 4, and even 5 days.
