Do it Yourself | Shabonna in September with Out Our Front Door out of Chicago, IL

A 2-Day Bike Camping Adventure from Chicago to Camp Shabbona

This ride is to provide overnight accommodations to more route-experienced riders.

ITINERARY

Pace: Your choice

Trail/Route: Paved road with minimal gravel incorporated.

Lodging: Tent (camping gear not provided). The group will stay at Camp Shabbona Woods (Cook County Forest Preserve) located 15810 S. Torrence Ave, South Holland, IL, 60473 (map)

Meals: Dinner Day 1 and Breakfast Day 2 included

Lunch stop on Day 1: Wherever you want. Good suggestion is 18th Street Brewery in Hammond IN

Lunch stop on day 2: Wherever you want. Good suggestion is Grindhouse Café in Whiting, IN

Transportation: Our starting point will be accessible by Metra, CTA green line, and car. Street parking is available.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Out Our Front Door believes in adventure, and in helping others find the adventures of their lives. Out Our Front Door mainly does that by guiding bike camping trips. But this time, they are going to get a little adventurous in what that can look like and challenge y’all to make it to camp, on your own.

This is how this one will work. OOFD has booked enough camp spots, and will have some guides there serving up a dinner at 7pm. The guides will have the fire going, and you’ll arrive to a community of welcoming folks. The group will hang around and share stories of our day’s adventures.

So for this one, you can leave from wherever you want, whenever you want, with any other friends that have registered. You can ride as fast or slow as you would like, and create any route you want to get there. This is truly a choose your own adventure. But know that OOFD will be there to welcome you to camp with a campsite, a fire, dinner, and even coffee and breakfast in the morning. And of course, a few educational spiels about the places you rode through during the day.

In the morning, you can roll out with the group back towards Chicago, or you can go on your own meandering Sunday ride, or even take the train back. It’s totally up to you. So join Out Our Front Door as they try something new.

MILEAGE

Day 1: Up to you depending on your start point | Day 2: Up to you depending on your end point *Camp Shabonna is about 30 miles from downtown Chicago

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 if not around a guide
• At least 2 water bottles
• Bike lights, front and rear
• Lock for your bike
• High Energy Snacks
• Change of clothes and be sure to include a 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.)
• Education about our local history and nature
• Very welcoming, supportive, and educational guides (at camp only)
• Dinner Day 1 and Breakfast Day 2