Battle to the Dunes - 2020

A Bike Ride & Campout From Chicago to Indiana Dunes National Park and Back.

**COVID-19 NOTE:   We are hoping and dreaming that it is safe to ride and camp together by this event. What a way to burst into the delayed ride season. That said, if health professionals, the government, the parks tell us it is not safe to do this ride, then we will refund you 100% asap. 

EVENT DETAILS

Start: On Tour Brewery, Chicago, IL

Meet: 7:00 am at On Tour

Ride to: Indiana Dunes National Park & Camp Overnight

Return to Chicago by Bike between 3 and 7pm

Registration comes with Guided Tour, Campsite, catered Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast. We will have a truck to carry your gear. 

Day 1: 70+ Miles | Day 2: 55 miles

All Are Welcome

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Campsite reservation

• Donuts and coffee on Day 1

• Catered dinner Day 1

• Warm Breakfast Day 2

• Campfire & S'mores 

• Adult beverages

• OOFD Guides

• Gear truck to carry your camping gear (if you'd like)

• Lots of really cool, bike camping companions

TRIP DESCRIPTION

This one is major! 70 rides plus a squad of OOFD guides. A whole loop at the Dunewood Campground in the Indiana Dunes National Park. It was such a blast last year, and looks to be even better this year! We are doing this in conjunction with Adventure Cycling Association's Bike Overnight Weekend.

This is a challenging yet very doable bike ride.  For this ride, our guides will give you an in-depth tour of the South Eastern Chicago and Northwestern Indiana region, as we travel from the heart of Chicago to Indiana Dunes State Park and back. We will learn about Steel, Nature, Bridges, Beaches and Dunes.

The Lake Michigan shoreline of Southern Chicago and Northwestern Indiana reveal the marks of a century-long conflict over land use in the region. Sand dunes, steel mills, power lines, marshland, and a commercial harbor battled and share a ten-mile stretch along the lakeshore. We'll learn the struggle for a National Park and discover the birthplace of ecology, the rise of Steel, and the Earth's geological forces that shaped this land.

We will transport back to 1893's World’s Fair as we cruise along Chicago's world-class museum campuses, Daniel Burnham, and Jackson Park, to the beginnings of green spaces in Chicago. And pop in one of the last remaining wood-smoked seafood shacks in Illinois, for a mouth-watering snack.

And most important of all, spend an evening enjoying that oh so lovely lake and the lovely habitats of our area's only national park. This year, all camping will be at the Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Park. 

WHAT TO BRING

• Your bike, tent, sleeping bag and gear

• A water bottle, high energy snacks, bike lock, 2 spare inner tubes, bike lights, a helmet

• Personal items and change of clothes - There are showers at the site so bring your own soap, small towel and deodorant.

• Cash/Card for Lunch and Drinks: We will be stopping at affordable restaurants along the way for lunch. Note: You are more than welcome to bring your own main meals.

• A battery pack for your phone

THE ROUTE

• All riders will have access to the Ride With GPS file that will offer turn by turn navigation. It is highly recommended to bring a battery pack for your phone. 

• On Day 1, we will be heading out from On Tour, wiggling through city streets to eventually get on The Lake Front Trail. From there, we will head into NW Indiana and eventually get on the Oak Savannah Trail with the suggested lunch stop in Hobart, IN. From there, its the Prairie Duneland trail which will bring you up close to the park. Close out with some country roads and arrive to the Dunewood Campground. 

• Day 2 is a bit shorter and much more road riding as we ride back closer to the lake in order to take in some of the industrial aspects of The Region. This route runs along Route 12, through Ogden Dunes and eventually through Gary, East Chicago, Whitting, and back into Chicago to the lakefront path. Ideal lunch spot is Calumet Fisheries. End back at On Tour Brewery so a celebration beer and to pick up your gear. 

• If you prefer, there is a train option on Day 2. Just look into the South Shore Line schedule and be sure the train you go for will accommodate bikes. You will have to ride about 5 miles from the campground to the Dune Park train station.

ABOUT THE GUIDES

The Tour Guides will have a bike tool kit, an air pump, a presta/schrader valve adapter, tire lever, chain breaker, and a crescent wrench (for those older bikes), a multi-toolkit, lights and emergency packet. Our guides will help you with any needed repairs. *If you have any of the above items please bring them along at your own convenience.

Our Guides have worked with historians, biologists, forest rangers, and leading people in their fields to deliver a one kind trip. They have set up multiple breakpoints along the way in all the right places to ensure you can go the distance. So if this is your first time out on a long ride, you’ll be surprised on far you can actually go.

TIPS FOR A GOOD RIDE

Bike rack

• We suggest purchasing a back rack if you do not have one already. A bike back rack will improve this trip and any future riding you do on your own. A bike rack will also keep the weight off your shoulders. Stop in your local bike shop to help get your bike geared up.

Keep it light and keep it tight!

• Secure your belongings and keep highly used items accessible when packing. Lightweight usually makes for a more enjoyable ride; So don’t bring your living room furniture on the ride. And Avoid dangling straps, they can get entangled in the wheels and cause an accident; Be smart and protect your safety.

Other stuff

• You might want to bring, a photo device, pain relievers, comfortable cushion bike gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, information to share.

Clothing.

• Bring some swimwear in case you want to go for a quick dip in the lake. Dress for the season, during spring and fall, make sure to bring gloves for your hands and layer your clothing. Even when the weather is nice when riding your bike the wind can make you chilly really quick. Always bring a rain jacket. Don’t be afraid of the rain!!! Some the best views are when a storm is on the horizon. If it gets intense there are shelters along the way to sit it out for the moment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can anyone ride your Tours?

• Yes! It is a challenge. Just about anyone who has ridden a bike for a day can do the tour. You should build up your riding distance/endurance to at least 30 miles. Not sure you can ride it? Check out our website 

What kind of bike do I need?

• It's really up to you. But we recommend a Touring, Road, Urban or Hybrid bike. These types of bikes make for a more comfortable ride. Attaching a bike rack will help carry your daily supplies and keep weight off your shoulders.

What type of trails do you ride?

• The trails on Day 1 are mostly paved bike paths with some little country roads and a couple of small bits of busier roads. Day 2 trail conditions range from group road riding, single trek, and paved bike paths. 

Do you rent bicycles out to the public?

• At the moment no

What if I get tired?

• We champion perseverance and the challenge. We encourage to push on, the reward of completion is great. But if turning around is an absolute must, there is always a train station relatively close by throughout the entirety of the tours.

What should I bring for the bike trip?

• Always bring 2 spare inner tubes. Dress for the season. During spring and fall make sure to bring gloves for your hands and layer your clothing. Even when the weather is nice when riding your bike the wind can make you chilly really quick.

What happens if it rains, is the event canceled?

• No. We still ride if there is rain. Some of the best views are after a rainstorm. Though safety is our top priority. So if there is extreme severe weather we will break and wait it out in a provided shelter, then continue to our destination.

How fast do you Ride? What is the pace of your tours?

• The pace we ride at is around 12 miles per hour. This is to accommodate everyone riding the tour and to be able to take in all the views. 

What happens if I'm too slow? What happens if I'm too fast?

• Because this is such a large ride, you will very likely find a group of people that are going at your pace. There will be OOFD guides sprinkled throughout the different paced groups to help lead the way. That said, you can go as fast or slow as you like though you must always keep in mind that you want to be off the road by sunset at the latest. There are a few train options if you decide you can't make it. There is not a sag vehicle to pick you up if you cannot make it. 

What happens if my bike breaks?

• First, always bring a spare inner tube. Our prepared Guides are always ready to help, are trained for emergency repairs, and carry extra tools and supplies. There are some options to hop on a train to get close to the campsite. Or phone a friend. 

 CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

Individual/Participant Cancellations: No Refunds | We are a small, completely volunteer-run organization and due that, a ticket cancellation/no show has a real impact on the planning of the tour and as such, we cannot provide any refunds for a participant cancellation. By registering you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event.

Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be canceled. But in the very rare case, the organizer does cancel the event at their discretion due to unforeseen circumstances, then registered participants will receive a full refund. To date, this organizer has never canceled an event.

Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain or a storm. We ride rain or shine. Understand that Chicago weather is typically passing, if it gets intense we will wait it out in a provided shelter then continue biking. FYI-Some of the best views and greenery are after a rainstorm.

Inclusion and Non-Discrimination Agreement

We at Out Our Front Door believe in radical inclusion of all people on our bike camping trips. Regardless of your race, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, or even the types of bikes you ride, we want you rollin’ with us. We want everyone to feel welcome except those that make others feel unwelcome. As a participant of an Out Our Front Door event, you are inherently agreeing to ride and let ride. 

If you exhibit any micro-aggression observed by leaders such as being judgemental of another’s bike, touring experience/skill, mansplaining, or generally being unfriendly you will be politely yet firmly corrected by OOFD leaders. If you commit any serious offense such as repeated unwanted flirtation, sexual harassment, overt racism, etc, you will be asked to leave the tour without refund and will no longer be welcome on future rides.

If you feel you are a victim of any of the above or have observed it, please raise the issue to one of the leaders and they will handle the issue accordingly and with appropriate discretion.

We have this policy in place because we want everyone to feel safe and welcome on tour. Out Our Front Door is an open community of bike campers, and we will forever work to bring all sorts of folks into the fold. Thank you for being a positive contributor to that community.

ABOUT US

We're the Out Our Front Door Organization.

See Our Full Schedule Of Events Here

We provide exploratory adventures by immersing and educating in the history, culture and the uniquely beautiful natural habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. 

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Drop us a friendly visit at www.oofd.org