Day Rides
Sketchbook Shakedown Day Ride
Overview
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 we’ll do our 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 Sketchbook Brewing, and then head back to the starting point via Skokie Valley Trail.
Trip Details
- Total mileage: 20-25 miles
- Support: Self-supported – you carry all of your own gear on your own bike.
- Pace: 10-12 mph — a casual and conversational pace
- Trail conditions: Pavement
- Type: Adult (21+)
- Start: Forest Glen Woods (9am)
- End: Forest Glen Woods
What to Bring
- Your bike!
- Tent & camping gear
- Headlamp
- Bike lights, front and rear
- High energy snacks
- Camp mug, plate/bowl, eating utensils
- Change of clothes
- Helmet
- Photo I.D. and Emergency Contact Info
- Cash/Debit/Credit Card for your food and drinks
- 2 spare inner tubes and tools to replace a flat (guides will be able to assist)
- At least 2 full water bottles
- Lock for your bike
- Sunscreen
- Welcoming, adventurous, can-do attitude!
This is a typical packing list for our adult overnight rides (full checklist below). Though it won’t be required to bring everything on this list, we encourage everyone to try their best and use this as an opportunity to really practice packing everything you might need for a bike camping trip!
Included
- Supportive guides assisting and leading you from the start to the endpoint
Not Included
- Lunch
- Beer money
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.
