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Dunning’s Family Bike Ride To Increase Cycling On Far Northwest Side Is Back

The 10-mile bike ride is Saturday. Organizers want it to increase people's comfort with bicycling while exposing them to local businesses.

The first Tour Da Dunning ride on Aug. 7, 2021 drew a crowd of about 100 cyclists from the North and Northwest Side to the neighborhood.
Ed Bannon
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DUNNING — A family-friendly bike ride this weekend around Dunning will get residents out to enjoy the neighborhood and discover low-stress streets for cycling.

The Tour Da Dunning ride, organized by residents and cycling advocates, is back for its second spin after a successful event in 2021.

The 10-mile bike ride is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, and it starts and ends at the corner of Cornelia and Sayre avenues at Shabbona Park, 6935 W. Addison St.

Organizer Ed Bannon said he hopes the ride can increase cycling exposure on the Far Northwest Side while showcasing local businesses.

“We are trying to push home the idea that there are comfortable streets to bike to these businesses,” Bannon said. “Not everyone is comfortable [biking] on Addison and Harlem, but these side streets are close to businesses.”

You can register for the bike ride and see the full route map online.

Credit: Ed Bannon
The first Tour Da Dunning ride on Aug. 7, 2021 drew a crowd of about 100 cyclists from the North and Northwest Side.

The event will take cyclists along Cornelia Avenue and Roscoe Street and on Melvina Avenue to visit a historical park in the neighborhood.

The Read Dunning Memorial Park at West Belle Plaine and North Neenah avenues is dedicated to the 38,000 people who were buried in the area’s “potter’s fields” — fields where the poorest Chicago residents, abandoned and unclaimed persons were interred, including Civil War veterans, Great Chicago Fire victims, orphans and asylum inmates, according to The Read-Dunning Memorial Project.

Participants can bring their own bike, and Divvy will provide bikes at the event, including its electric-powered bikes. Eli’s Cheesecake Company, which is based in the neighborhood, will provide refreshments.

Last year’s ride had about 100 attendees, so organizers hope the same number — if not more — join this time, Bannon said.

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