What Lies West 2025 - Adult Overnight

Mileage: Day 1: 20-30 Miles | Day 2: 20-30 miles

Support: Self supported - you carry all of your own camping gear on your own bike. No vehicle support.

Lodging: Tent (camping gear not provided). We will stay at Blackwell Family Campground (DuPage County) located at (map)

Pace: 12-15mph

Trail/Route: Paved road with minimal gravel incorporated and possible snow.

Age: Adult Ride (21+)

What’s west of Oak Park you ask? Come join us on an adventure through the western suburbs of Chicago. It’s not just cookie-cutter homes off of main street or miles of corn and soy. We’ll be riding through towns with some of the greatest histories in the region.

​Riding along the awesome Illinois Prairie Path and stop in towns such as Wheaton and learn about the history and habitats along the way. We will eventually arrive at the Blackwell Forest Preserve, just outside of Warrenville, IL.

We offer two starting points for this ride. For more ambitious riders, we will meet at a location in Chicago, which will make for about a 35 mile day. For those that want a few less miles, we will meet you at Longfellow Park in Oak Park making for a 22 mile day.

You can read more about this event from 2023 in this blog post.

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

• Food for Day 1 lunch
• Food for Day 2 lunch
• Snacks
• *We will stop at designated restaurants where you can buy your lunch

Our guides are part of a community of volunteers that believe in adventure and helping others find adventure right out our front door. They exude a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive spirit which are foundational values at OOFD. They have love and appreciation for their home and like sharing knowledge about that home with others, thus helping the riders to develop a stronger sense of gratitude for our local history and nature.

The guides will be set with the route and an extensive script about the area you’ll be riding through with intentionally chosen breakpoints along the way.

They are more than someone to follow on the ride. They are trained and will be there to encourage and support you as well as support with mechanicals that may arise.

Participant Cancellation: No Refunds. By registering, you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event. Tickets cannot be resold.

Transfers permitted before the event and to an event in the same calendar year. Check out this Transfer Policy flowsheet to determine what next steps you need to take. Contact us if you have any issues.

Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be canceled. In the rare circumstance the organizer cancels the event at their discretion, registered participants will receive a full refund.To date, this organization has canceled minimal events; primarily in response to the Covid19 pandemic.

Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain, storm, or any other weather. We ride rain or shine. Chicago weather is typically passing, if the weather requires, we will pause the ride and wait in a sheltered space then continue biking. Some of the best views of the lake and greenery on the trails are after a rainstorm.

This is included in your registration form. Showing up with a welcoming and inclusive spirit is crucial and expected of everyon that rides with us.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Comrade Cycles, 1908 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, United States