5 Year Plan Launch Party and Fundraiser
Overview
Come celebrate and donate to support Out Our Front Door as we launch our new 5-Year Strategic Plan! In recognition of the incredible growth, engagement, and support from our OOFD community over the last five years, we're pleased to announce that our 2026 - 2030 strategic plan is guided by our core value of reciprocity.
Join us to learn more about how we intend to give back to our amazing community of riders, volunteers, partners, and -- of course -- the beautiful natural environment at our doorstep. The party starts at 1:00pm on Sunday, December 14th at Sketchbook Brewery in Skokie.
Tickets are free, with a suggested donation of $10. If you choose to make a gift, every dollar will support Out Our Front Door -- helping us grow and improve programs, expanding opportunities for folks to join us, and supporting our efforts to give back to our community.
We will have some awesome raffle prizes for folks that sign-up to be a recurring donor. Some of our partner orgs will be present so we can highlight the work they do, and encourage some giving to their organization. You can stick around after the event for live music provided by Sketchbook Brewery starting at 4pm
We'll even have some of the folks that will be riding back from our Decemberg bike camping/cabinning overnight stop by on their way back from Camp Reinberg in Palatine to bring their hearty winter bike adventure spirits to the party!
Invite a friend. All are welcome including kids. Dogs are welcome on the patio but not inside the taproom where the party will mainly be held.
And save the date for the Big Hooteanny Vol. 6 Fundraiser Party - Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Midwest Coast Brewery.
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.
