Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago

On Bobby's Bike Hike, you'll cover more ground than bus tours while discovering the pulse of the city. Plus, you won't get stuck behind a glass partition listening to ongoing commentary. Bobby's hand-selected guides keep it lighthearted, not bombarding you with dates, but providing quality information about Chicago's past along with insights into current events that are changing the future of the city and the world

"Top 5 things to do in Chicago!" - MSN and CitySearch.com Come join in the fun--we'll be the highlight of your trip!

| Bike Tours | Night Hike | FAQ Frequently Asked Questions | Bike Rentals Page

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BIKE TOURS

 

 

NIGHT HIKE IN THE CITY

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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to frequently asked questions by tourists in Chicago.Bobby's has compiled a list of questions that seem to be asked the most, but feel free to visit the Water Tower for all of your city information as well.

Q 1: How long is the tour?
Q 2: Do I need a bike?
Q 3: Is it strenuous?
Q 4: Which tour should I take?
Q 5: What if it rains?
Q 6: What can I expect?
Q 7: Where is Lincoln Park?
Q 8: Where is Tourist Information?
Q 9: How is the weather?
Q 10: Where does Oprah live?
Q 11: Where are you located, ? Parking info and driving directions
Q 12: Where are some good restaurants?
Q 13: What can I do on Michigan Avenue besides shop?
Q 14: Where is the nightlife?
Q 15: Should I tip the guide on the bike tour?
Q 16: Should I listen to the Concierge at my hotel for a recommendation?
Q 17: Where is the beach?
Q 18: Where can I have a drink and meet locals?
Q 19: Where can I meet other travelers?
Q 20: How do we use/pay for the transit system?
Q 21: How do I get a T-Shirt?

Q 1: How long is the tour?
Each tour is at a relaxed pace, covering 6 miles in 3 hours, including a 30 minute break at a quiet, outdoor cafe/beer garden.

Q 2: Do I need a bike?
No, we will provide a cool Schwinn Beach Cruiser, along with helmet if you want one. Each bike has its own name and comes equipped with a basket if needed. Although we recommend riding our bikes, you can bring your own and save $5.

Q 3: Is it strenuous?
Not the least bit! We cover 6 miles, including many stops for our guide to entertain with stories of Chicago. We also stop at a nice little outdoor beer garden towards the end of the tour.

Q 4: Which tour should I take?
May we suggest both.  The day tour has received great local and national press and proves to be a very popular way to see the sights and enjoy Chicago's wonderful spring, summer, and fall weather.  The night tour is new this year but we have reason to believe that it will be equally popular.  If you have children I would recommend the 10am day tour.

Q 5: What if it rains?
Having run this tour for 4 years now, I don't recommend listening to weather forecasts. I have found that they are almost always wrong. Chicagoland is huge, so they predict a shower but that means somewhere around the viewing area. Odds are, it won't rain, so don't ruin your day by listening to weather forecasts. If it happens to rain during the tour, we'll provide raingear. Tours are only cancelled if it is pouring rain at the tour start time.

Q 6: What can I expect?
Expect to have fun! Chicago was recently given the title of "best bicycling city in North America" by Bicycle Magazine. You'll have the chance to learn about Chicago's fascinating history while meeting other fun travelers. You'll cover more ground then a walking tour, and unlike a crowded bus, feel the pulse of the city.

Q 7: Where is Lincoln Park?
On the North side of downtown. Follow Michigan Avenue North until you get to the Drake. Cross under Lake Shore Drive and follow the beach north until you get to a big fake boat in front of a large beach. Go left and you are in it. I've got a better idea...take the tour and enjoy Lincoln Park with us.

Q 8: Where is Tourist Information?
You can receive any information by going to the Chicago Visitor's Center, located in the pumping station, across the street from the Water Tower. There you can find out any information you should need.

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Q 9: How is the weather?

Q 10: Where does Oprah live?
She actually has a couple of places she owns around Chicago. When you're the richest woman alive you can afford such luxuries. . She is a huge fan of the tour and she might even wave to us from her home above the Ritz.

Q 11: Where are you located ? Where can we Park?
Our New location for 2006 is 465 N McClurg Court Chicago IL60611 Map (The entrance to the pedestrian walkway leading to us is at the southeast corner of Illinois Street and McClurg Court)

Parking : We are located at North Pier Docks, which is connected to the River East Art Center. Parking in available in the River East Art Center Building located at 435 E Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Map Parking in downtown Chicago can be tricky, even if you are a Chicago native. Try to leave your car at home. Take the metra or public transport (see question #20) into the city. On Sundays, parking is free at meters and you can stay as long as you like. I recommend getting downtown early because many Chicagoans take advantage of free meter Sundays. Good Luck!

Driving Directions:

Driving from Lake Shore Drive

Heading Southbound Lake Shore Drive: Exit right on Grand Avenue and travel west to McClurg Court. Turn left (south) on McClurg Ct. and proceed one block to Illinois Street. 465 N. McClurg Ct Map

Heading Northbound Lake Shore Drive:

Exit right at the Navy Pier/Grand Avenue/ Illinois Street. At the first light, at the bottom of the ramp, go straight (north). At the second light, go left (west) on Grand Avenue. Turn left (south) on McClurg Ct. and proceed one block to Illinois Street. 465 N. McClurg Ct Map

From Michigan Avenue:

Go east on Ohio Street three blocks and turn right (south) on McClurg Ct. Proceed two blocks to Illinois Street. 465 N. McClurg Ct Map

Public Transportation: Six CTA buses go directly to River East Plaza: the 29, 56, 65, 66, 120 (express bus from the Northwestern Train Station) and the 121 (express bus from Union Station). Call the CTA at (312) 836-7000 for specific directions from your location, or visit www.transitchicago.com and www.metrarail.com. Make sure you step off at McClurg Ct. and Illinois St. 465 N. McClurg Ct

Q12: Where are some good restaurants?
Everywhere you look. Chicago is blest with a plethora of wonderful restaurants. Many of them are located on and around the Magnificent Mile. Some of my favorites are Bandera's (Millionaire's Steak is excellent), Tavern on Rush (Great for people watching), and Signature Room on the 95th Floor of Hancock Center (Great Views). All of these are a little pricey. IF you want cheaper, check out Zoom Kitchen on Rush.

Q 13: What can I do on Michigan Avenue besides shop?
Sit in the park at the Water Tower and people watch. I still do this all the time. It's amazing what you'll see. Just watch out for the pigeons above. Other things are to walk up to Oak Street Beach and the northern point of Michigan Avenue. You can also take in the Museum of Contemporary Art just east of the strip on Chicago Ave. Take a walk along the Chicago River.

Q 14: Where is the nightlife?
If you are a tourist, you'll probably end up at the Rush/Division Street bars. It's extremely easy to meet members of the opposite sex and "hooking up" is quite apparent everywhere. For a little more upscaled taste, you can head to Le Passage on Rush Street.

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Q 15: Should I tip the guide on the bike tour?
We've found there to be a number of answers to this question. A lot of Europeans think no. Australians say maybe. Americans say yes. We think that a tip is a direct reflection on how you thought the tour guide performed. If you enjoyed yourself more then you anticipated, then tip, the guide will be happy to take the extra cash.

Q 16: Should I listen to the Concierge at my hotel for a recommendation?
Only if they suggest taking Bobby's Bike Hike. If they don't, you know they are misinformed!

Q 17: Where is the beach?
You have a few choices for that. If you're staying close to Michigan Avenue then you can easily access Oak Street Beach by heading north on Michigan Avenue. Take it all the way up to the Drake. Across from the Drake you will find an access tunnel that takes you underneath Lake Shore Drive to the Beach. This Beach is a mix of mainly tourists and upperclass Chicagoans. If you are looking to meet more locals keep going north along the beach until you get to the big fake boat. You can't miss it. The name is Castaways and you can have drinks and food up there. In front of the boat is where many Northsiders hang out. There is also the Ohio Street Beach located just north of Navy Pier. This is a lot smaller beach.

Q 18: Where can I have a drink and meet locals?
Generally some of the ideal spots to go to around the Magnificent Mile are PJ Clarks on State Street, Melvin B's on State Street, and Pippin's on Rush Street.

Q 19: Where can I meet other travelers?
On Bobby's Bike Hike, of Course!

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Q 20: How do we use/pay for the transit system?
The local train system is called the "el" for its elevated positions throughout the city. It is also known as the CTA and you will need a CTA card to get on the "el". IF you have access to the internet then you can go to www.transitchicago.com and click on trip planner. That will tell you the quickest way from your location to where you want to go. It will also show you by which method and how much money.

Paying: If you take the "el", you must prepay by going to a station and going to the self-guided kiosk. A one way ticket costs $1.75 and a transfer will cost you an additional $.25. The kiosk will not give change. Just put your money in and push vend. The ticket will come out and you just use it to get through the turnstile. The bus costs the same as the "el" but you just hop on and pay. The bus drivers won't have change but they will be your best friend if you tell him that you need help getting to your location. Be nice and they should help you out.

If you have to get out of the city, then you may want to look into taking the metra, which is the fast rail line that takes you out to the rest of Chicagoland. The costs vary depending on how far you are going. Just hop on and someone will come around and charge you the fee. You do not have to prepay. The metra reminds me of a cattle truck but it is a fun way to get anywhere outside the city.

Q 21: How do I get a T-Shirt?
These T Shirts cost me more to produce but are well worth it. They are soooo comfy and fit nice in the arms. Ask when you are on the tour.

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