Bike Tours in Chicago: The Best Way to See the City
Bike Tours in Chicago: The Best Way to See the City
One of the best ways to explore Chicago and see what it has to offer is to see it by bike. Bike tours in Chicago can range from a scenic bike tour of the city to food tours that take you on the unbeaten path to discover some great cuisines to try in our town. When you travel by bike, you get an up-close and personal experience of what this Windy City has to offer.
Although you may feel empowered to take a bike tour in Chicago on your own, it doesn’t hurt to have a great company specializing in offering bike tours to help you out. Bobby’s Bike Hike is a fantastic company that provides excellent bike tours for both tourists and locals who want to wander in Chicago.
Types of Bobby’s Bike Hike Tours
The first thing you need to determine when taking a bike tour in Chicago is the type of tour you want to take. If you want a guided tour, where someone rides alongside you and the group and giving you facts about the area, Bobby’s Bike Hike offers guided bikes, food, and walking tours of Chicago. Or if you are feeling adventurous, you can also take a self-guided tour of the city and follow the maps or route suggested by Bobby’s Bike Hike.
Bobby’s Bike Hike this year launched their Rideabout Series of tours, to complement their traditional tours offered. This series of bike tours in Chicago is specially created to allow locals and tourists to get out safely and enjoy Chicago in small, socially-distanced groups. The Rideabout tours are designed for Chicagoans, by Chiagoans and celebrate the sports, music, and culture of Chicago from a local perspective. Some of the tours in the Rideabout Series include the Bikes, Bites & Brews®- Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour, Chicago’s Ultimate City Bike Tour, the John Prine, Ernest Hemingway & Frank Lloyd Wright take a ride in the Park Tour and the RIDEABOUT to Wrigley tour.
The Rideabout to Wrigley explores the Lakefront and the near-north neighborhoods of the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Wrigleyville on a comfortable ride with scheduled stops for fun facts and photos. Bobby’s Bike Hike even has an add-on experience where you can stop and have an authentic Chicago hot dog and cold beer because no trip to the ballpark would be complete without that.
Photo Credit: Bobby’s Bike Hike
This bike ride takes you through one of the most beautiful and extensive open villages of Oak Park and River Forest. This tour will highlight one of the best folk singer/songwriters in the country, late John Prine, the writings of Ernest Hemingway, and the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. You’ll enjoy the quiet neighborhood, incredible homes, and beautiful music while on this tour.
Photo Credit: Bobby’s Bike Hike
This bike tour in Chicago is probably one of my favorite tours from Bobby’s Bike Hike because who doesn’t love food and beautiful scenery. On this tour, you’ll sample some of the best foods that Chicago is known for – pizza, hot dogs, brownies, and beer. This tour will also teach you all about the history behind the foods that Chicago is famous for. And you’ll be able to check out some of Chicago’s well-known neighborhoods such as Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Lakeview, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park on the day tour and get a downtown scenery tour in the evening.
Photo Credit: Bobby’s Bike Hike
This bike tour will give you the “Chicago 101” tour that offers you all of Chicago’s most popular attractions rolled into one wonderful tour. This Chicago bike tour includes parks, fountains, attractions, and lakefront museums. On this guided Chicago bike tour, you’ll experience the beautiful skyline views, monuments, and explore downtown sites.
Equipment Offered at Bobby’s Bike Hike Tours
Bobby’s Bike Hike also has all of the equipment, including the bikes, that you need to take a bike tour, which is extremely convenient. Bobby’s Bike Hike offers everything from helmets to water bottles, locks, and the proper tools to fix any issues when your biking.
Bobby’s Bike Hike also has an array of rentals for you to choose from. From Road Bikes to Tandem Bicycles and even strollers and bike trailers, Bobby’s will have something for everyone who comes on the tour.
Bobby’s Bike Hike Must-Knows
Things you should know about the services and accommodations of Bobby’s Bike Hikes:
- All biking tours make water available to patrons. Some tours may include other beverages such as craft beer or hot tea, as indicated in the tour information. If you are going on a self-guided tour, you can also buy water at Bobby’s Bike Hike shop before leaving for your tour.
- Food tours do have options for vegetarians. Ask ahead about gluten-free options. It is encouraged to ask questions along the way and see if guides might recommend substitutions.
- It is encouraged to use the restroom before your tour, but there are stops you can make along the way just in case!
- Reservations can be canceled with 72-hour notice (with a 10% processing fee). After 72 hours, tours may be re-booked or exchanged for another tour.
- Tours need a minimum number of people to go out—two for a bike tour and three for a food tour. Rescheduling or cancellation may be required if these minimum numbers are not met.
- Bike tours will go out in rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the weather. Tours may need to be canceled in the event of lightning. Ponchos are made available in case of rain.
- Bobby’s Bike Hike offers pouches on the front of their bikes that store wallets, cameras, cell phones, and other smaller items.
- Bike tours are created with a wide variety of ages, interests, and skill levels in mind. However, not all tours are appropriate for younger riders. So definitely read about each tour before booking.
- Bobby’s Bike Hike suggests that you wear tennis shoes and comfortable, loose-fitting clothes appropriate for the weather conditions on the day of your tour. If you’re doing a tour in Chicago in the spring or the fall, definitely wear layers. It’s easier to remove or add layers than not be prepared.
Is there something you would like to see on a bike tour in Chicago? Tell me below and don’t forget to check out Bobby’s Bike Hike!
