Out Our Front Door Programs

Take a trip with
Out Our Front Door

We offer cycling adventures for adults, families, adaptive cyclists and youth—all tailored to different skill levels.

Each trip combines local history, environmental education and a focus on conservation, connecting participants to Midwest landscapes and communities.

Bike. Camp. Chicago.

Adult Overnights

Bike camping offers a completely immersive experience, where the journey is as important and as beautiful as the destination. Along the route, our welcoming and knowledgeable volunteer guides teach about the nature and history of our region. ​​Whether you are a bike touring pro or want to try bike camping for the first time, step out your front door and join us for an adventure.

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Group sizes are from 15 riders to some with 70+ riders.
Distance of rides range from 40-200 miles round trip and are usually 1 or 2 nights
Pace ranges from 12-15 mph depending on the skill level/distance of the ride.
Most of the rides are self-supported, meaning you need to bring and carry your own gear on your bike
The routes run mainly on bike trails with some country roads and city streets mixed in
Registration includes guides, campsite reservations, some meals, campfire, s'mores, and beverages
For the whole family

Family Overnights

Family friendly bike camping trips where the whole family is welcome, any and all ages and abilities.  Along the route, we take plenty of breaks. On our "off day" at camp, we usually find a waterpark to ride to or do some hiking or short ride in nature. Whether your family are seasoned bike tourers or want to try bike camping together for the first time, step out your front door and join us for an adventure.

See upcoming events
Group sizes range from 15 to 35 riders
Distance of rides range from 15-30 miles per day and are usually 1 or 2 nights
Pace ranges from 8-10 mph depending on the skill level/distance of the ride.
Most of the rides are self-supported, meaning you need to bring and carry your own gear on your bike
The routes run mainly on bike trails with some country roads and city streets mixed in
Registration includes guides, campsite reservations, some meals, campfire, s'mores, and beverages
Bike camping for everyone!

Adaptive Program

​Out Our Front Door believes that everyone deserves a life filled with adventure, exploration, and immersion into our natural world including people with disabilities. Everyone in a "special needs family" can experience an adventure in the great outdoors together, and not siloed off into separate activities just for children with disabilities. Riders will develop increased confidence from embracing adventure and our natural world as well as improved health and well-being.

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We have a fleet of adaptive bikes and trained volunteers to support riders with nearly any disability
We provide short day ride activities for partner organizations
Riders with disabilities are welcome to ride in our Adult and Family Overnight Programs
Ride with a community

Day Rides Program

These rides aim to help more people gain confidence that they can ride longer distances than they imagined, and it’s fun. These rides are an on-ramp that welcomes people to the OOFD community and hopefully gets more people interested in the overnight trips. They also provide us a way to partner and support local historical or environmental groups with co-programming. Ride with a community, immerse yourself in nature, gain some knowledge, and get home in time for supper

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Routes range from 20-60 miles round-trip
Pace ranges from 12-15 mph
Like all OOFD rides, an OOFD volunteer will ride with you, even if you fall back from the main group
Some day rides have multi-modal options to increase accessibility and teach skills of taking a your bike on a train
Day rides to environmental service

Where The Wild Things Grow

The Where The Wild Things Grow program encourages bicycle community involvement in ecological restoration throughout the Chicagoland trail network. The program is a way for Out Our Front Door and its riders to support local environmental organizations and site stewards in the work they do to restore and maintain native habitats in the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area. Our aim is to assist with conservation and restoration of the natural habitats that we so much enjoy going on bike adventures through and to.

See upcoming events
Routes range from 10-20 miles round-trip
Pace ranges from 12-15 mph
Service days include native seed collecting, invasive plant removal, tree plantings, beach clean-ups, trail restoration days, and anything else the site stewards request
Service usually lasts for about 3 hours with a break in the middle
Optional social hang afterwards at a local spot with drinks and food
Out Our Front Door offers cycling adventures for adults, families, adaptive cyclists and youth— all tailored to different skill levels.
About OOFD

Inspiring
community through
local adventure

Our programs create connections, build skills, and foster appreciation for our natural surroundings.

Learn more

Blog

Stay connected with OOFD through our blog, where you’ll find updates on the latest news, events and initiatives. Dive into trip recaps, discover insights from our adventures and explore the stories behind the trails.
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