On Saturday, July 25th 2026, North Branch Works hosted its annual summer bike tour. 26 eager bikers met outside Elston Electric to embark on a 5.5-mile journey across the North Branch of the Chicago River.
Every year, North Branch Works highlights partner businesses along our service area to promote the working nature of the Chicago River.
This year, the tour boasted a “Blues and Brews” theme, celebrating the historic and contemporary businesses that have contributed to a thriving arts and music scene. Bikers began at The Salt Shed, a popular music venue with a dynamic small business campus.
The former Morton salt complex was responsible for the distribution of salt across Chicago for almost a century, at one point distributing over 150,000 pounds a year. Today, The Salt Shed serves as an example of an innovative adaptive reuse project that fosters job creation within a historically industrial zone.
Participants set off past Elston towards The Hideout, where they heard from former owner Tim Tuten about the storied past of the iconic bar and music venue. Recently under new ownership, Teri O’Brien shared artifacts and photos with riders, including ticket stubs and a cigar box. To find out more about The Hideout, or to catch a show, please visit this page.
Next, riders made the journey to Dolce Arte Rockwell, tucked inside of Rockwell on the River, for coffee and Italian pastries.
This women-owned café, run by sisters Brittany Bertucci and Stephanie Bertucci-Fitzpatrick was the perfect break before the final stretch. Check out their gelato flavors, and find out more about the café, here.
The tour passed by Electrical Audio for a deeper dive into music history along the river. This multi-room recording space was founded by iconic audio engineer Steve Albini.
Albini was “analog-forward” in his production and that tradition continues today after his passing in 2024. The city recognized his incredible contributions by renaming this stretch of Belmont in his honor, Steve Albini Way.
You can support the work at Electrical Audio by visiting its website and supporting the Electrical Audio Foundation.
Riders then made their way along the Riverview Bidge and 312 RiverRun trail, an iconic 2-miles route connecting riders across three parks along the North Branch for one mile.
At last, we arrived at Delmark Records, an iconic blues record label located on 4121 N Rockwell. Delmark Records is the longest continuously operating independent jazz and blues label in the United States.
Owner Julia Miller shared a history of the legendary musicians who have been represented there and gave a tour of the studio spaces.
After a long ride, it was time to end the day at Burning Bush Brewery, across the street. While enjoying thin crust from Jimmy’s Pizza Café, riders sipped on Da Pope and new sour beers from Burning Bush. Head Brewer Scott McElhenie shared information about each brew, highlighting Da Pope, their famous beer that has made it all the way to The Vatican.
While this year’s bike tour is over, there are many exciting events to catch from North Branch Works. To stay up to date, please follow @NorthBranchWorks on Instagram and LinkedIn and subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter.
