Monthly Hang at The Map Room Tavern (Bucktown)
The main idea is to hang with the Out Our Front Door community and welcome new folks that are interested in riding or volunteering with OOFD. It is a fun, chill, casual time to socialize and hangout/have a good time. Come meet some of the OOFD crew, ask questions, figure out ways to get involved, ask your questions about bike adventures and camping.
At 8:00pm, we will briefly gather round for some very brief announcements. An OOFD Volunteer will highlight a couple upcoming events, share a fun fact about the ecology or history of our location, and point out other OOFD guides in attendance, so everyone knows the faces of some friendly folks who are happy to answer questions about anything Out Our Front Door.
The first few hangs of the year will be indoors before we move to a different park each month starting in April.
This month, we will have our quarterly Marketing Committee Open Meeting during the hour before the Hang starts (so from 630-730pm). Come out to learn more on how you can help with marketing at OOFD as well as help us put our 2026 Rider Flyers into envelops and address them to send to local bike shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to already be a volunteer or have ridden with OOFD to come?
Definitely not! We have lots of new folks come out each month. And lots of folks that have been a part of the org for some years. So its always a lovely mix of brand new faces, somewhat new faces, and some faces that have been around a while.
2. Do I need to bring anything?
Nope. A curious mind and willingness to say hi to someone new is always a plus, but not required. For the outdoor hangs, feel free to bring your own beverage, snack, or chair/picnic blanket.
3. Who can come?
Anyone. Welcoming is our core value number one. As long as we're not in a 21+ venue, kids are welcome as are animals. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about accommodations if you an adaptive need.
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.
