After 30 years of picking cotton, McKinley Morganfield moved to Chicago in 1945 with his Sears Silvertone guitar. The club owners he approached dismissed his sound in their noisy venues, but a change came when McKinley, aka Muddy Waters, bought an electric guitar. That change reverberated around the world and down through the decades, to us today.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Blues on our bicycle tour which explores the heritage of Chicago Blues in the suburbs of Blue Island and Alsip. Stand among the ghosts of Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, Hound Dog Taylor, Willie Dixon and many others while you learn how Chicago electric blues of the 1950s seeded the rise of Rock & Roll in the 1960's.

LIMITED TO 110 RIDERS. Pre-register $22; otherwise $30 after August 31.

We'll start at Rock Island Public House and pedal on quiet streets to three historic cemeteries near the Cal-Sag Trail: Burr Oak, Restvale and Lincoln. At each stop, Blues musician and historian Harmonica Neil meets us graveside to share stories and music of the Chicago blues legends.

The route is an easy 22 miles at a relaxed, nobody-gets-left-behind pace. Refreshments and SAG support. We’ll finish at Rock Island Public House for music and craft beer.

Rock Island Public House is at 13328 Olde Western Ave in Blue Island. Ample parking and easy access from both the Metra Rock Island and Metra Electric lines. Plan to arrive at 10:30, finish around 3. 

For more info, email to friends@calsagtrail.org

Produced by and benefiting Friends of the Calumet-Sag Trail, whose nonprofit mission is the construction, use and enhancement of a 26-mile multiuse recreation path.