 2022 was an epic year: lots of new friends and partners, and as always, lots of adventure. See below a list of the rides we ran and their details. Many thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, and riders who made it all possible. Onward to 2023!
Adult: Shabbona Woods: April 30 - May 1 A Two Day Bike Camping Trip from Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park to Cook County's Shabbona Woods in South Holland, IL Saturday, April 30, 2021, 11:00 AM – Sunday May 1, 3:00 PM Ridership Level: Easy | Pace 12 mph | Mileage: Day One: 28 Miles | Day Two: 28 miles | Max 25 riders with 5 guides | $115 What's Included:
Join us on our most beginner of adult rides. A great route, mainly on trails and bike lanes into NW Indiana and on over to South Holland, IL. A delightful 30 mile cruise including a stop at 18th Street Brewery in Hammond, Indiana. Travel south over bridges, canals, and railroads to a hidden gem among the industrial past of Chicago - Camp Shabbona Woods. The route includes the Lakefront Path, the new South Lake Shore Drive extension bike lanes, Calumet Park, the Hammond trail system, and the Burnham Greenway. We will stop for lunch along the way out and will provide dinner day one and breakfast day two. On our return trip we will stop at Calumet Fisheries for lunch (this is cash only and delicious!) Riders will be expected to follow our COVID - 19 social distancing protocols. Adult: Milwaukee: The Good Land - May 28-29 A Two Day Bike Camping trip from North Side of Chicago's Lake Front to Milwaukee Sat, May 28, 2022 7:00 AM – Sun, May 29, 7:15 PM Ridership Level: Advanced | Pace 14 mph | Mileage: Day One 80 | Day Two 20 | Max 12 riders with 3 guides | $145 What's Included:
Milwaukee the good land is a two day, one night bike camp-out from Chicago to our neighbor to the north Milwaukee, where we will bike to and camp at Cliffside Park in southeast Wisconsin along beautiful Lake Michigan. Enjoy warm campfire and cool beverages in route to a bar-bike crawl in Milwaukee followed by a leisurely train ride back home to our beloved city of Chicago. Breweries/Bars to tour/visit: Lakefront Brewery, Palomino (classic MKE tavern), and maybe some more (day of decisions). Guides will cook dinner and breakfast for the group (COVID permitting). We will stop for lunch in Waukegan on the way up and will grab lunch at a local breweries or bars in Milwaukee on day two. Riders will be expected to follow our COVID - 19 social distancing protocols. Adult: Battle to the Dunes - June 4-5 A Two Day Bike Camping trip from On Tour Brewing to Indiana Dunes National Park Saturday, June 4, 7:00 AM - Sunday, June 5, 7:00 PM Ridership Level: Intermediate to Advanced | Pace 12 mph | Mileage: Day One 75 | Day Two 60 | Max riders - 70 with 8 guides | $115 What's Included:
Come ride as a part of Adventure Cycling Association's Bike Travel Weekend and join the thousands of bicyclists who will be doing a bike weekend all over the country. On this trip, Out Our Front Door will lead you to the Lake Michigan shoreline of Southern Chicago and Northwestern Indiana to reveal the marks of a century-long conflict over land use in the region. Sand dunes, steel mills, power lines, marsh land, and a commercial harbor share a ten-mile stretch along the lakeshore. We'll learn the struggle for a National Park and discover the birthplace of ecology, the rise of Steel, and pop in one of the last remaining wood-smoked seafood shacks in Illinois, for a mouth-watering snack. We'll transport back to the 1893's Worlds fair as we cruise along Chicago's world class museum campuses, the Daniel Burnham and Jackson Parks, and to the beginnings of green spaces of Chicago. But most important of all, spend an evening enjoying the Sand Dunes of the Indiana Dunes Lake Shore and State Park. -A two day bike camping tour, with steel, nature, bridges, beaches, camping & history. This year, all camping will be at the Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Park. Adult: Reinberg Spring - June 11-12 A Two Day Bike Camping trip from Specialized Fulton Market Hub in Chicago to Camp Reinberg in Palatine, IL Sat, June 11, 7:30 AM – Sun, June 12, 4:00 PM Ridership Level: Intermediate | Pace 12 mph | Mileage: Day One 45 | Day Two 32 | Max 15 riders with 3 guides | $95 What's Included:
A ride to Camp Reinberg in Palatine, IL when it is not the dead of winter! Join us on this lovely ride and see the northwestern forest preserves in the beginning of their summer glory! You know you can't wait til December to do this ride. Learn about the history and beginnings of the Forest Preserves, the ecology of the area, and what it takes to preserve it. Ride through time and discover how land use evolved from the natural to the industrial to the recreational. Come check out Reinberg, Cook County Forest Preserve's first acquisition. Includes hot dinner, steamy oatmeal breakfast, and a big ol' campfire with the standard campfire snacks and beverages. Family: Bike Camping in the City - June 17-19 Three Day Family Bike Camping Trip from North Park Nature Center to Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie Fri, June 17, 4-6 PM – Sun, June 19, 4:30 PM Ridership Level: Easy | Pace: 10-12mph | Mileage: Around 20-25 miles per day, with optional additional excursions | Max 20 riders with 4 guides | $45 kids, $65 adults What's Included:
Is it possible to bike camp in Chicago? This new tour specifically designed for families aims to answer that question with an emphatic “YES”. This area of the Northwest side of Chicago and adjacent suburbs have seen significant improvements in cycling infrastructure, including miles of brand new bike paths, extensions to existing paths, at least 4 new bridges, lots of additional bike infrastructure, restored habitat and a plethora of cycling amenities, making our first ever bike camping tour in the city more than just possible. We’ll ride on quiet paths within Chicago proper that feel more like the woods of Northern Wisconsin than the 3rd largest city in the US. We can’t wait to show you everything we have in store. We’ll explore beautiful trails, including the Sauganash Bike Path, North Branch Trail Extension, North Channel path, McCormick Sculpture Path. We’ll visit beautiful beaches and pools, ride along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan shore line, and even tour a stunningly beautiful and historic cemetery. Families, you don’t want to miss this one. First night spent camping at the famous North Park Nature Center. The second night spent camping at Emily Oaks Nature Center. Day 3, we ride back to the city together. Adult: What Lies West - June 25-26 A Two Day Bike Camping Trip from Chicago OR Oak Park to Blackwell Woods in Warrenville, IL Saturday, June 25, 8:30 AM – Sunday June 26, 3:00 PM Ridership Level: Easy | Pace 10-12 mph | Mileage: Day One: 20-35 Miles | Day Two: 20-35 miles | Max 15 riders with 3 guides | $95 What's Included:
What’s west of Oak Park you ask? Come join us on an adventure through the western suburbs of Chicago. It’s not just cookie-cutter homes off of main street or miles of corn and soy. We’ll be riding through towns with some of the greatest histories in the region. Riding along the awesome Illinois Prairie Path and stop in towns such as Wheaton and learn about the history and habitats along the way. We will eventually arrive at the Blackwell Forest Preserve, just outside of Warrenville, IL. Adult: SWMI Ride - July 7-11 A Guided Four Night Bike Camping Celebration into Southwest Michigan Thursday, July 7, 8:00 AM – Monday, July 11, 7:00 PM CDT Featuring: Lake Michigan | Sand Dunes | Local Craft Beer, Food, Wine Ridership Level: Intermediate-Advanced | Pace: 12-15mph | Mileage: Day One 75 mi | Day Two 45 mi | Day Three - off day with 25 mi loop option | Day Four 40 mi | Day Five 60 miles and South Shore Train from South Bend, IN to Chicago Max riders - 40 with 7-8 guides | $375 Early Bird (until June 10), $450 regular price What's Included:
This ride is an ecstatic celebration of Lake Michigan and all that it coast has to offer. This is going down in the heart of the summer and there will be plenty of chances to go swimming in our gem of a lake. Hence the name, the SWMI, "swimmy", ride. Roll with some of the best guides OOFD has to offer as we finally break into our 4th state, Michigan! Learn about the ecology of the lake and the lake shore while also exploring some of its hidden gems and excellent local spots. We understand pulling off a 5 day ride might be tough, so you can join us Thursday night or Friday morning at the Dunes. The south shore train is super convenient for this. Also, if you need to dip out on Sunday, the Amtrak and South Shore can get ya back to the city no problem. But the price for the trip is all the same, so you should take advantage of this extended summertime adventure if you can. Day 1 we ride that beaut of a route to the Indiana Dunes. This is the biggest day. About 75 miles and camp at the national park. Day 2 we roll out around noon and slow roll our way about 45 miles up to Weko Beach Campground in Bridgman, MI. Day 3 is a chill day. Relax on the beach all day or ride into town for some beers or hop on the 25ish mile loop that an OOFD will be leading. Or even go adventure off on your own through the gorgeous country roads of Michigan beer and wine country. So much good beer, food, wine, and beach to explore. The campground is a 4 minute walk to a stellar beach and the epic dunes of Warren are just a few minute walk down the beach. Day 4 we ride about 40 miles up to Van Buren State Park which is just south of Grand Haven, MI. Day 5 we ride about 60 miles to South Bend, IN and hop the South Shore Train back to the city. A UHaul will transport bikes back to Chicago as the South Bend stop cannot take bikes this year due to track construction. A more in depth, day by day breakdown of the ride here. Adult: The Great Confluence - July 23-24 A Two Day Bike Camping Trip Uniting Milwaukee and Chicago at Illinois Beach State Park Saturday, July 23, 8:00 AM – Sunday July 24, 7:00 PM Ridership Level: Intermediate | Pace 12 mph | Mileage: Day One: 50ish Miles | Day Two: 50ish miles | Max 20 riders with 5 guides | $95 A meeting of two great Midwestern cities. Join the Out Our Front Door crew for a meandering ramble far down the shores of the mighty lake Michigan. Spend the night around a campfire and under the stars at Illinois Beach State Park ( Illinois's most uninterrupted shoreline). Roll on trails used for 100s of years and end up on the world-famous Chicago Lakefront path as we end our journey in the great city of Chicago. This one is special. Bringing neighbors together. Here's how it will work. Day 1: We will have 10 riders leave Milwaukee with 2 guides, and they will arrive to Illinois Beach State Park before sunset. They will be met by a group of 10 riders and 2 guides that leave Chicago at the same time on Saturday morning (50 miles). So it will be a big ol' uniting of CHI and MKE bike campers! Day 2, all riders will ride back to Chicago along the Robert McClory Bike Path and Sheridan Road eventually ending in celebratory fashion before the MKE folks hop that Amtrak back north to their homes. Very important to note: For those that plan to return to MKE on Sunday night via Amtrak, it is up to you to buy the ticket for you and your bike. Family: Camp Sullivan - July 23-24 A Two Day Bike Camping Trip from Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont, IL to Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, IL Sat, July 23, 9:30 AM – Sun, July 24, 4:30 PM Ridership Level: Easy | Pace 10 mph | Mileage: Day One: 17 miles | Day Two: 12 miles | Max 20 riders with 3 guides | $50 kids, $75 adults What's Included:
COVID-19/Vaccine Policy: All riders will be required to fill out a COVID questionnaire the week before the ride and proof of vaccine is required to ride. Explore the beauty of our extensive forest preserves in the Southwest Burbs. We will start at the famous Bull Frog Lake (secure overnight parking available. Also, near Willow Springs Metra). We will wind through the trails of that forest preserve. Along the route, we will take plenty of breaks and will even have a picnic before arriving to Camp Sullivan. This is a special ride because we are partnering with the Cook County Forest Preserves and their CLIC program which provides all the camping gear we will need from tents to sleeping bags to cooking gear. So all you need to so is show up with a bike, some snacks and personal gear, and away we go! This also is our only 1 night Family Overnight! Family: Shabbona Woods - August 5-7 A Two Day Bike Camping Trip from Buckingham Fountain to Shabbona Woods Fri, August 5, 9:30 AM – Sun, August 7, 4:30 PM Ridership Level: Easy | Pace 10 mph | Mileage: Day One: 30 Miles | Day Two: Exploration | Day Three: 30 miles | Max 20 riders with 4 guides | $45 kids, $75 adultsWhat's Included:
Travel south over bridges, canals, and railroads to a hidden gem among the industrial past of Chicago - Camp Shabbona Woods. At twenty-four miles from downtown, this is an accessible ride for beginners with a route almost entirely on bike paths or bike lanes that include the Lakefront Path, the new South Lake Shore Drive extension bike lanes, Calumet Park, Wolf Creek Park, and the Burnham Greenway. Family: Blackwell Campground - August 19-21 Three Day Family Bike Camping Trip from Oak Park to Blackwell Campground in West Chicago, IL Fri, August 19, 9:30 AM – Sun, August 21, 4:30 PM Ridership Level: Moderate | Pace: 10mph | Mileage: Day One: 27 Miles | Day Two: Exploration | Day Three: 27 Miles | Max 20 riders with 4 guides | $50 kids, $75 adults What's Included:
Head west on North America’s first successful rails-to-trails conversion, the Illinois Prairie Path, to DuPage County’s largest forest preserve, Pratt's Wayne Woods. At twenty-seven miles from Oak Park, this is an accessible low-stress ride, suitable for beginners and experienced riders. The route is almost entirely on the off-street crushed limestone Illinois Prairie Path (IPP) and Great Western Trail with some street riding to get to the path and street crossings. Pratt’s Wayne Woods features biking and walking trails, fishing, and over 1,000 species of native plants and animals. The terrain is made up of oak savannas, prairies, grasslands, and wetlands. The youth group campsite is situated on the shores of scenic Pickerel Lake and features toilets, a dining pavilion, water pumps, picnic tables, and fire rings. Day 2 has a water park option at Bartlett's Aquatic Center (4 miles from the campground). All are welcome. We even have resources including trained guides and bikes to loan for youth with disabilities. If you are interested in this option, please contact us here. Adult: Waterways to the West - August 26-28 A Three Day Bike Camping trip from Chicago to Starved Rock State Park Friday, August 26, 5:15 AM – Sun, August 28, 9:00 PM Ridership Level: Advanced | Pace: 12-18mph | Mileage: Day One 110 mi, Day Two at the park, Day Three 110 mi | Max riders-15 with 4 guides | $95 What's Included:
This is not your average group bike ride. At each break point and along the way, our guides will immerse and educate in the history, geography, architecture and the uniquely beautiful natural habitats and ecosystems of North Eastern Illinois. Our groups are small and personable to ensure the knowledge of the land is passed on. We will learn about the world's first major natural waterway reversal in human history as we traverse from the heart of the Chicago along the Chicago River to the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Cold air starts to sweep across the land when we go back in time to relive a catastrophic flood that occurred between 14,000 and 18,000 years ago in the Midwestern United States that reshaped the land. Guided Hike in the State Park. One of the most beloved hidden jewels near Chicagoland is Starved Rock State Park. It is one of Illinois'most beautiful destinations. The park's 18 canyons feature vertical walls of moss-covered stone and multiple waterfalls, formed by glacial melt water that slice dramatically through tree-covered sandstone bluffs located along the Illinois River bluffs in Utica Illinois will surely percolate anyone's curiosity. Yes, 110 miles Day One. This one is no joke! A famously amazing ride if you are up for it though! Adult: Ride to Valhalla - September 16-19 A Guided Four Night Bike Camping Loop of Door County Wisconsin Fri, September 9, 2021, 11 AM – Monday, September 12, 7:00 PM Featuring: Glaciated Cliffs | Lake Michigan | Deep Nordic History | The Clearing Ridership Level: Intermediate-Advanced | Pace: 12-15mph | Mileage: Day One 30 mi, Day Two 45 mi | Day 3 25 mi | Day 4 75 mi Max riders - (to be determined) with 4-7 guides | $400 Early Bird (until June 15), $450 regular price What's Included:
Additional Nights: OOFD has a group site reserved for the Thursday before and the Tuesday after the event that all riders are welcome to stay at for FREE! That way if you want to arrive the night before and/or not drive home after riding 70+ miles on Monday, you can stay with us at Potowatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay. No meals provided during those additional nights. Transportation: You can drive (just under 4 hours from Chicago) and park for the duration of the trip in Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay (this is where we will beginning and ending the ride). This is a FOUR NIGHT LOOP OF DOOR COUNTY! Two nights spent on the Washington Island! This is not your average group bike ride. At certain breakpoints and along the way, our Guides will immerse and educate in the history, geography, architecture and the uniquely beautiful natural habitats and ecosystems of Door County. We will incorporate cultural stops to see some of the more interesting sights of Door County. We will learn about the quest for Icelandic-American inventor, Chester Thordarson to build a Valhalla in America on Rock Island. Jens Jensen, the landscape architect responsible for such Chicago landmarks as Humboldt and Garfield Parks, has an intellectual commune and natural retreat called The Clearing which will be a stop along the way. Natural highlights include the splendor and glaciated cliffs of Door County looking out onto Green Bay and Lake Michigan. We will explore and learn about Rock Island. It is a former private estate of the Thordarson family and see the historic boathouse. Meals and entertainment will be provided on this unique adventure. We’ll hope for clear skies at night for clear viewing of the stars from Washington Island. All riders must get themselves to the start point in Sturgeon Bay. Adult: The Great Marsh - Indiana Dunes - October 1-2 A Two Day Bike Camping trip from Chicago to Indiana Dunes National Park Saturday, October 1, 7:30 AM - Sunday, October 2, 8:00 PM Ridership Level: Intermediate | Pace 12 mph | Mileage: Day One 70+ | Day Two 55 (train return optional) | Max riders - 55 with 6 guides | $120 What's Included:
COVID-19/Vaccine Policy: All riders will be required to fill out a COVID questionnaire the week before the ride and proof of vaccine is required to ride. The Great Marsh is the largest interdunal wetland in the Lake Michigan watershed, and we are going to put you in the heart of it. The Lake Michigan shoreline of Southern Chicago and Northwestern Indiana reveal the marks of a century-long conflict over land use in the region. Sand dunes, steel mills, power lines, marsh land, and a commercial harbor battled for and share a ten-mile stretch along the lakeshore. These blimp in time squabbles may pale in comparison to what lay here tens of thousands of years ago. We'll learn the struggle for a National Park and discover the birthplace of ecology, the rise of steel manufacturing, and the geological forces that shaped this land. Let’s transport back to the 1893's World’s Fair as we cruise along Chicago's world-class museum campuses, Daniel Burnham and Jackson Parks, to the beginnings of green spaces in Chicago. And pop in one of the last remaining wood-smoked seafood shacks in Illinois, for a mouth-watering snack. And most important of all, spend an evening enjoying the Sand Dunes of the Indiana Dunes National Park. Adult: Autumn Sun Harvest Tour - October 22-23 Two Day Bike Camping trip from Chicago to Illinois Beach State Park Sat, Oct 22, 7:30 AM – Sun, Oct 23, 7:45 PM Ridership Level: Intermediate | Pace: 12mph | Mileage: Day One: 52 miles | Day Two: Train option OR 52 mile option OR 85 mile option | Max riders - 60 with 8 guides | $115 What's Included:
COVID-19/Vaccine Policy: All riders will be required to fill out a COVID questionnaire the week before the ride and proof of vaccine is required to ride. This one has become quite the tradition and quite the good time. Join us as we close out the main ride season with a herd of the OOFD community. Reunite with folks you rode with throughout the year as we ride through the crisp cool air and the smell of autumn, as we tour the forests of Northeastern Illinois. A seasonal landscape, where vast tracks of color flush red, yellow and autumn bronze, in the valley of the Des Plaines. A regional ride through the woods and prairies that lie beyond Chicago. But before we get there… house pumpkins, gourds, and cider fill the north shore communities, as we travel north and feast our eyes upon architectural masterpieces. Learn about the towns, the lay of the land, and the unique ecosystems along the way, as we drop knowledge on top of your noggins at each break point. We’ll ride to and camp on the youngest land in the state at Illinois Beach State Park, discover the Dead River, go on a guided Nature walk, and learn what the Chicago area looked like before European settlement. And what better way to end our first day of riding than to relax around a campfire, on a cool night with warm apple cider on the shores of Lake Michigan. This year, on Day 2, we will have guides leading a group back the way we came along the lake for a shorter route or the longer route along the Des Plaines River Trail. The train is always an option too. So gather some friends, check out the itinerary, and let’s have a good time. Adult: Decemberg - December 10-11 A Two Day Bike Camping trip from Chicago to Camp Reinberg in Palatine, IL Sat, Dec 10, 7:30 AM – Sun, Dec 11, 4:00 PM Ridership Level: Intermediate | Pace 12 mph | Mileage: Day One 45 | Day Two 32 | Max 25 riders with 5 guides | $95 What's Included:
You know you can't wait til April to do another overnight. So join this rad crew and rock that winter bike riding life. Learn about the history and beginnings of the Forest Preserves, the ecology of the area, and what it takes to preserve it. Ride through time and discover how land use evolved from the natural to the industrial to the recreational. Gain a new appreciation for winter riding and celebrate a day in the cold outdoors. We will help you appreciate the warmth of the fire and sleeping outside in late Fall. So come check out Reinberg, Cook County Forest Preserve's first acquisition. Includes hot dinner, steamy oatmeal breakfast, and a big ol' campfire with the standard campfire snacks and beverages. Will I learn something? Will there be community? Will I have Fun? Yes. Yes. and Yes. So celebrate the upcoming spring weather and meet some new people. All are welcome.
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"To immerse , educate, preserve & advance the history, culture, trails and native habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area" Trail Series
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A Bike Camping + Nature Community for Chicago and the Lake Michigan Area
Founded in 2015. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
www.oofd.org
Founded in 2015. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
www.oofd.org