Where the Wild Things Grow

Where the Wild Things Grow Chicago River Day Ride

May
9
 
Spend a half day with Out Our Front Door and Friends of the Chicago River on Chicago River Day!

Spend a half day with Out Our Front Door and Friends of the Chicago River on Chicago River Day!

Chicago River Day is an outdoor event located at over 80 sites including city parks, forest preserves, school yards, and businesses along the banks of the Chicago-Calumet River system and its tributaries. This year Out Our Front Door is partnering with Friends of the Chicago River to lead a bike ride of volunteers to the Whistler Woods work site. At this site, volunteers will pick up trash and help with removal of invasive plants.

We will meet at Afro Joe's Coffee & Tea (1818 W 99th St, Chicago, IL 60643) at 8 am. Bathrooms and water will be available here. We will bike mainly along the Major Taylor Trail to Whistler Woods to arrive by 9 am. The ride will be roughly 5.5 miles on city streets and designated bike trail. If you can't make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the day we love that! Meet us at 9 am at Whistler Woods Forest Preserve at 735 West 134th Street Riverdale, IL 60827. The Chicago River Day group will be meeting at the picnic tables at the end of the parking lot. The workday will end at 12 pm, but you are invited to continue your ride with us to the Chicago River Day afterparty from 12-3 pm at Big Marsh Park!

What to Bring:

    • A water bottle (portable by bike) that you can fill up for our day!
    • Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, and a bike lock
    • Water and snacks
    • Gardening gloves (if available)
    • Clothes to keep you protected and dry. We'll be riding rain or shine and this is an outdoor event so prepare for the weather!
    • Any knowledge you'd like to share about local ecosystems, flora or fauna and why we love them!

Your $5 ticket holds your space on the ride and allows us to support the community partners that we work with. All proceeds from the $5 ticket will be donated to our partner Friends of the Chicago River.  Learn more about Friends of the Chicago River here.

*In addition to signing up for the ride with Out Our Front Door, you must register for the event with Friends of the Chicago River. Please register with Friends of Chicago River here. Volunteers who register before Friday, May 1, 2026 receive a Chicago River Day T-shirt highlighting this year’s featured creature, the Virile Crayfish!

Where the Wild Things Grow

Where the Wild Things Grow Chicago River Day Ride

Spend a half day with Out Our Front Door and Friends of the Chicago River on Chicago River Day!
May
9
 
Price: $5
Purchase Tickets
Purchase Tickets

Radical Inclusivity

Our number one value at Out Our Front Door is to be Welcoming. And we often think, talk, and act on that through something we call Radical Inclusivity.
Read our statement

Radical Inclusivity and Non‑Discrimination Statement

We at Out Our Front Door believe in the radical inclusion of all people on our bike camping trips. Regardless of your race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, or even the types of bikes you ride, we want you rollin’ with us. We want everyone to feel welcome. As a participant of an Out Our Front Door event, you are inherently agreeing to Ride and Let Ride.
If you exhibit any micro-aggressions observed by leaders, such as being judgmental of another’s bike, touring experience/skill, mansplaining, or generally being unfriendly you will be politely yet firmly corrected by OOFD leaders. If you commit any serious offense such as repeated unwanted flirtation, sexual harassment, overt racism, etc., you will be asked to leave the tour without a refund and will no longer be welcomed on future rides.
If you feel you are a victim of any of the above or have observed it, please raise the issue with one of our ride leaders, and they will handle the issue accordingly and with appropriate discretion.
We have this policy in place because we want everyone to feel safe and welcome. Out Our Front Door is an open community of bike campers, and we will forever work to bring all sorts of folks into the fold. Thank you for being a positive contributor to that community.

Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that every path we travel is on Native land, and we offer this land acknowledgment with respect for those who came before us.
Read our statement

Land Acknowledgement

Chicago is the traditional homeland of the Council of the Three Fires: The Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Tribes like the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Sac, and Fox also called this area home. Located at the intersection of several great waterways, the land naturally became a site of travel and healing for many Tribes. American Indians continue to call this area home, and now Chicago is home to the third largest Urban American Indian community that still practices their heritage traditions and cares for the land and waterways. Today, Chicago continues to be a place that calls many people from diverse backgrounds to live and gather.
This land acknowledgment is from the American Indian Center of Chicago.

Events

Check out our lineup of guided rides and local events that bring people together through bicycling, nature and a shared curiosity for the world just outside your door.

Where The Wild Things Grow Earth Day Ride

April
25
 

Celebrate Earth Day with Out Our Front Door on a bike ride and service day with the Major Taylor Trail Keepers.

What Lies West

May
2
–
3

A 2-Day Bike Camping Adventure to Blackwell Campground in DuPage County

Sketchbook Shakedown Day Ride

May
2
 

A relaxed group ride where guides will help you pack your bike, practice riding with gear, and test out equipment.

See all events
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