The June Newsletter Edition

​As Bicycle Nomad puts it "On a Bicycle seeing the big picture comes naturally."

Into the Basin: Exploring Chicago's Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area by bike

Included in June's Newsletter: Up-coming events, overnight bike camping adventures! New Programs! A Block Party! And so much more. Also to give a little insight on what we've been up too the last couple of weeks: We helped plant native trees and shrubs on the new North Branch Trail's southern extension in LaBagh woods and we completed  our “Battle to the Dunes” ride where we rocked it with an amazing team of three Field Guides and 12 participants. Such a stellar group and lasting connections made. This is what we are talking about! We're really loving the community we are building.

​Read all about the epic “Battle To The Dunes” trip, and more down below. Plus! Get outside and enjoy this weather!!!

Up-Coming Events!

The North Loop Ride -A Land Of Ice & Fire

​July 29th & 30th
The North Loop Ride -a Land of Ice & Fire

A two day guided bike camping journey through Northeastern Illinois -a history of glaciers, topography, and how the birth of a prairie shaped the Illinois landscape.  Registration comes with a shared Cabin! 

Pedal along ancient Shorelines, where woolly mammoths once trekked and American Indians footed through native lands. Meander and traverse through prairies and oak savannas, under leafy green canopies and wide eyed vistas. Witness the brilliance of engineering architects as you roll through canyoning towers of stone and steel marvels built by the mighty hands of men from around the world. This well deserved bike adventure is as bright as the gleaming blue waters of Lake Michigan coupled with farmland rural roads, historic towns, and rolling rivers. It will refresh the needing adventure.

> > REGISTRATION & Details

Spring Tune-Up Block Party

June 17th Saturday 12pm to 6pm
At The Promontory | 5311 S Lake Park Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60615
The Promontory Presents Spring Tune-Up. "Join us for an epic outdoor, family-friendly block party in Hyde Park on Saturday, June 17 celebrating bikes, music and community.

-FREE Bike tune-ups will be provided by Blackstone Bicycle Works
-Mobile beverage catering will be provided by The Juice Box
-Music by White Mystery, The Lemons and local DJs
-Food and drinks presented by The Point, The Promontory's new patio oasis
-Local artisans and vendors from Hyde Park Handmade
- Chicago Family Biking with Bike Zoo
-Out Our Front Door Bike camping demo 
-Bike Riders Yoga
-Caribbean Dance Lessons by BODY's Christina Mighty

Ride those bikes on down to 53rd Street - Hyde Park for a day of Food, Family and Fun!"

> > Spring Tune-Up

Summer of Swale

June 24th + 25th
Summer Solstice is coming and we are kicking off our Summer of Swale with a Swift campout. Learn about the many options to ride and camp around the Lower Lake Michigan basin area. Tag photos with #Swiftcampout & #BikeTheBlueBasin 

> > Chicago Area Campgrounds

Family Bike Camp Out

​August 4th 5th and 6th 2017
Family Bike Campout: Chicago to Illinois Beach State Park
Join us for a three-day two-night family-focused bike camping adventure from Chicago to Illinois Beach State Park. The Out Our Front Door Organization and Chicago Family Biking are partnering to present this supported ride designed to help families go from riding in the neighborhood to riding in nature, from bike commuting with kids to bike camping with kids.

​A Youth Adventure into Landscapes and Discovery...

> > Itinerary and Ride Details

What's New !

We Launched a New Program

Where The Wild Things Grow.
Engage Learn and Explore with Bikes, Brats, Plants, and Shindigs! A bicycle community involved in ecological restoration throughout the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area. PLUS!!! Learn about your local trail's ecology with the i-naturalist app by discovering new species on the major bike camping routes in the Chicagoland area

> > WHere The Wild THings Grow

We're Making Patches

The Out Our Front Organization is in the process of making a series of patches for the bike camping destinations around Chicago and The Lower Lake Michigan Basin area.  Where each patch is unique to it's landscape and local area. Join in on the fun!

> > New Patch Designs

Battle To The Dunes -Know Your Home

​The Struggle and Battle of a National Park as a group journeys from Chicago to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore by bike. -A new perspective into The Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area. Good Reads...

> > Read Battle To The Dunes

We were Mentioned in the Chicago Reader!

photo by offd's friend: Brad Knain

Some of our photos were published in the Chicago Reader and Streetsblog Chicago by writer John Greenfiled. His article goes on to explain how the Chicago area is the hub of rail lines and how great the network of bike trails around Chicagoland truly are.  Checkout our photos and read his rad articles here:

• The Chicago Reader Article
• StreetsBlog Chicago "The Chicago Region’s Bike-Friendly Rail Service Makes Car-Free Camping a Breeze"

Find Your Camp!

Featured Camp Submission by: Andrew St. Paul 
Chain-O-Lakes State Park: 6,023 acres to experience rolling moraine hill topography. An entrance leading you into wild flower prairies, wide eyed views and rich regional wetlands. Plus peaceful lakes and hiking trails too' makes Chain-O-Lakes State Park of North Eastern Illinois a great bike camping trip. Not to mention it's ease of access from Chicago.

> > Check OUt This Camp

Meet The OOFD Team!

Jean Jacket or Windbreaker?
a. Jean jacket hands down

Coolest rooftop in Chicago?
a. Roof of UK Village Mariano's (Chicago & Damen) Go up there to park your car and get one of the best views of the skyline around. Plus is that you don't have to pay for any expensive cocktails

When do you feel in awe?
a. I'm in awe when I'm dwarfed by large trees in a forest. How lucky am I to live on such a beautiful planet!?

Anna Henschel
Field Guide | Coordinator

​During the week Anna spends her days helping travelers from around the world explore Chicago and enjoys nothing more than bragging about her favorite city! She is passionate about creating a supportive environment for women in the cycling community whether it’s introducing people to overnight bike trips, or helping friends overcome their fear of biking in the big city! As a lifelong bicycle lover Anna is a firm believer that if everyone had the opportunity to get on a bike and experience the thrill of a camping trip they would never look back. If you ask nicely, Anna might even bring some freshly baked cookies for the ride'

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A Message For 2017

As we move forward in 2017 with new programs, and additions such as trail workdays, new resources, youth programs and more, we know that it can't be done without you, it takes a community to be build a community. So thank you to everyone who been apart of this incredible growth thus far and to the new friends who we have yet to meet.  If you would like to get involved or know of ways to help, contact us or plan on joining one of our open meetings. We are an all volunteer community and we hope to see you soon.
 
Together by doing a little we, can accomplish a lot. 

RIDE. LEARN. EXPLORE.
Let's Connect & Do Good

A Bike Camping Community for Chicago and The Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area
​The Out Our Front Door Organization
www.outourfrontdoor.org

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