 "The core function of any trial is to connect. The root of that word, from the latin Connectere, means to 'bind together or to unite." Robert Moor in On Trails book Welcome backWelcome to OOFD 2021! Goodness, we cannot wait to open that collective front door and start bike camping again with y’all. We patched together a ragtag year last year going from over 300 participants in 2019 to 62 in 2020. But not complaining at all. We had a lot of time to reflect and work on big, next level ideas. Two major things happened in 2020 for OOFD.
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 Welcome Welcome to OOFD 2021. Our 5th year just ended on Oct. 31, and we wrapped up our yearly board retreat which usually happens at a cabin at a Cook County Forest Preserve. This year we rocked the retreat online with some safe bonfiring and bike riding mixed in. If you didn’t know, the OOFD board is really something special, and if you haven’t connected with one of us, please do here.
Part of the amazingness of this 2020 board is that we came up with a 5 year plan. We are very enthused with what we have pulled off thus far including bringing over 300 folks bike camping in 2019.
Relaunch 2020We are feeling encouraged. Cautious but encouraged. I mean, the lakefront is opening up to “Keep It Moving,” which is what we want to do!
So we have adjusted our schedule and are going to do our best to roll with what we can while being safe. If it turns out that we have to cut rides and refund tickets, so be it. If we can safely expand rides for more riders, we’ll do that too. But for now, we are opening up what we can. And the first ride will be to Shabonna on June 27-28. We are rolling with 10 or less riders, many of which will be OOFD crew. We will be testing out our social distancing and general COVID-19 safety precautions (mainly social distancing and no communal meals). If you would like to snag a spot, you can REGISTER HERE. We are running this first ride at a major discount, and if you do sign-up, we will expect to get some of your feedback and insight on the process, protocol, and general safety of the ride.  My poor little tent is looking dusty up on the shelf there. And it's Memorial Day Weekend. And we’ve already seen two scheduled bike camping trips (Shabonna and Milwaukee) come and go without a single night actually spent sleeping outside.
So tonight, this symbolic start to summer, dust that tent off and pitch it. In your backyard, front yard, even your living room. Campfire. S'mores. Hotdogs on sticks. Cold beer. That will be happening out back for many of us tonight. So join us, in spirit of course! And if you do, be sure to tag us with a quick pic of you making the camping happen. And with last week’s announcement that campgrounds will be opening, we are working hard to figure out the best and safest way to get bike adventuring with you all. Stay tuned as an updated schedule and new ride structure is coming soon. Keep enjoying those great outdoors and enjoy your night sleeping under that city night sky. -Part of OOFD's Wander Ride Series Two gems for a nice ride route around down lay along or just off of Racine Ave on the South Side. Plenty of chill back roads to get there from the East and West, and come from the South, you can simply take Racine or Halsted is a bit faster. Better yet, the chill Loomis down through and cross the river there in Pilsen. Most of all these options has a bike lane. Heading to a fair bit down south to 87 where it picks up Vincennes down into Beverly or even take it to hit the Major Taylor Trail which runs south east to about 129th and Halsted. So great place to get to all around. We suggest at least wiggle through some side streets as much as you can.
-Part of OOFD's Wander Ride Series Cemeteries have played a key role in Chicagoan's ability to recreate in pleasant native habitats. In fact, Lincoln Park was a cemetery at one point, and to this day, they are havens for wild life. And while some have closed due to the amount of folks strolling around, many are still open and worth a cruise. There is a suggested route per google maps though all y'all are coming from different spots, so take a bike lane or the side roads, and check these places out. Soaked in Chicago history.
-Part of OOFD's Wander Ride Series Welcome to the iconic Illinois Centennial Monument of Logan Square Park. This 70ft monument was built in 1918 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Illinois’ Statehood. It’s made up of three parts: the top has an eagle in reference to our state flag, a doric marble column in the middle and then the base which contains reliefs depicting the rapid transition of Illinois during its first 100 years.
 We were supposed to be bike camping already! Missin' seeing y'all and sleeping outside. Anywho, I know with some many folks craving some outside, though some of the go to trails are not open or crowded as heck! So not the best to ride in as you try to stay socially distant. Instead, use our city's incredible bike lanes to cruise a new neighborhood. By the way, out of the 77, how many have you been to? Get out there. Explore this city. Ride its streets to soak in its mourning and enclosure and distance. Take whimsical turns down random side streets and back alleys. Explore the historic and natural richness of our home.
Wander around. |
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"To immerse , educate, preserve & advance the history, culture, trails and native habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area" www.outourfrontdoor.org Upcoming
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A Bike Camp & Nature Community
For Chicago and the Lake Michigan Area
www.oofd.org
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For Chicago and the Lake Michigan Area
www.oofd.org
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"To immerse, educate, preserve, and advance the history, culture, trails, and native habitats of the Lake Michigan Area" -oofd.org
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OOFD.org
Founded in 2015. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization
Founded in 2015. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization