The Great Confluence | Milwaukee Chicago Unite in July with Out Our Front Door out of Chicago, IL – SOLD OUT

(from Chicago is sold out – there’s still tix available from the Milwaukee starting point) 

A Weekend Bike Camping Adventure Uniting Two Great Midwestern Cities in Illinois Beach State Park

Itinerary:

Chicago Group

Day 1: 52 Miles

Day 2: 52 miles

Milwaukee Group

Day 1: 51 Miles

Day 2: 52 with return to MKE on Amtrak

Support: Self supported – you carry all of your stuff. No vehicle support provided.

Meals: Some meals are included.

Lunch stop on Day 1: TBD in

Lunch stop on day 2: TBD in Waukegan

Out Our Front Door will cook for the group for Saturday night dinner and Sunday breakfast at camp.

Pace: Casual, option to ride together as a group. 12-15mph. Intermediate level.

Trail/Route: Paved road with some gravel and dirt trails incorporated.

Lodging: Tent (camping gear not provided). The group will stay at Illinois Beach State Park (IL DNR) located at 1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099 (map).

TRIP DESCRIPTION

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: There will be 10 riders who leave Milwaukee with a couple guides, and they will arrive at 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 riders from Milwaukee that need to return to Milwaukee on Sunday night via Amtrak, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING YOUR RETURN TICKET. Out Our Front Door HIGHLY recommends you verify a return ticket with Amtrak is available (with addition of bicycle) PRIOR to reserving your ticket here. Amtrak bicycle tickets are a limiting factor.

You will use Amtrak in Chicago (Union Station 225 S. Canal St) and will return to Amtrak in Milwaukee (Intermodal Station 433 W St. Paul Ave). Tickets are ~25$ with extra charge for bicycles. Please contact Out Our Front Door if you have questions on booking your return ticket.

Transfers: Out Our Front Door has limitations for ticket transfers, but may accommodate in the event certain criteria are met. You may review this updated Transfer Policy flowsheet to determine what next steps you need to take.

WHAT TO BRING

Required Items:

• Your bike!
• Helmet – encouraged but not required
• Tent & Camping Gear
• Head Lamp
• Cash/Debit/Credit Card for your food and your drinks
• Photo I.D. and Emergency Contact Info
• Two spare inner tubes and tools to replace a flat (guides will be able to assist)
• At least 2 water bottles
• Bike lights, front and rear
• Lock for your bike
• High energy snacks
• Change of clothes, including swimsuit and/or rain gear!
• Phone battery pack
• Camp mug, plate/bowl, eating utensils
• Welcoming, adventurous, can-do attitude

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Campground fees (sites, firewood, etc.)
• Food for Day 1 dinner and Day 2 breakfast.
• Education about our local history and nature
• Really nice and supportive guides

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Food for Day 1 lunch and Day 2 lunch (we will stop at designated restaurants for food, but the guides will not pay for these meals).
• Snacks