Tour of Oak Park



http://www.thechainlink.org/events/tour-of-oak-park

For six years, I have lead tours through over 25 different communities out of Chicago’s 77 different community areas, growing in number each year.  One of the most frequent questions I receive is when was I going to do a suburban tour?  The simple answer is:  October 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM

I am proud to partner with the BBC (British Bicycles of Chicago) to bring you an architectural and historical bike tour of the Village of Oak Park, our first venture into the ‘burbs, to be followed by one new suburb a year and the beginning of their rotation in the overall tour schedule. 

With a population of over 50,000, it is one of the largest municipalities in the state.  It is the perfect suburb for architecture fans.  It boasts the largest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings anywhere in the world, as well as a stunning array of Prairie School buildings and wonderful Victorians from other architecture luminaries such as E. E. Roberts, Charles White Jr., John Van Bergen, Tallmadge and Watson, and George Maher.  The village boasts one of the most densely packed tours we have ever offered. 

This tour would not have been possible without the help of Garth Katner of the BBC and without our inspiration from Philander Barclay, a bike repair shop owner who cycled the city taking photographs of the buildings and people of Oak Park and River Forest.  First he began collecting photos in the 1880s and by 1902 started taking his own pictures, many of which are now in the collection of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. He is the perfect muse for this venture.

See more here.

Buy Tour $9  |   Buy Tour and Poster $12

Buy Poster $5  |  Facebook   |  The BBC

Starting Spot  |  Photo Album  |  2012 Poster



Oak Park Ride of Silence

May 16th 2012

Meet at 6:45 in Scoville Park, the Northeast corner of Lake Street and Oak Park Avenues, for 7pm departure. We will ride the streets of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park in silence and make our way to Molly Malone's on Madison Street in Forest Park for the OPCC monthly meeting, arriving at about 8pm.

Scheduled Rides

Faster Fun Training Ride

Meets Tuesdays at 6:30pm at the southeast corner of Scoville Park. Be ready for a faster-paced training ride, cruising 16-19 mph and up, with some sprints thrown in. 20-25 miles, returning to OP at dusk. We are trying to expand this ride to other days of the week - come out and help us build a core group to keep it growing!

Please have lights on your bike, white in front and red in rear! Reflective/bright/white clothing also recommended. Helmet required, of course.

Wednesday Show & Go

Leaves every Wednesday at 6:30pm from the southeast corner of Scoville Park.  All riders, no matter what your age or ability are invited. These are fun, leisurely rides. We go no faster than the slowest rider and we never drop anyone from the group.

Please have lights on your bike, white in front and red in rear! Reflective/bright/white clothing also recommended. Helmet required, of course.

As always... check the OPCC listserv on the day of the ride for any updates on weather, etc. To join the listserv, sign up for our Yahoo group!