Off-the-beaten-path destinations, small adventure ideas, and gear for those yearning to breathe the big air around the incomparable coastline of Lake Michigan. Delivered FREE once a week.
FAQ’s
What exactly am I signing up for?
Third Coast Adventure Hub (or Third Coast AH!) is a FREE weekly newsletter for Chicagoans and others trapped in the urban jungle, who yearn to escape the confines of the city and b-r-e-a-t-h-e! Bikes and gear, off-the-beaten-path destinations and trip planning, small adventure ideas from day trips to multi-day tours, this guide will give you everything you need to make up your own self-supported, nature-centered outings along the vast Lake Michigan coastline.
Why should I subscribe?
If you’ve ever tried to put together a cohesive outing plan that includes routes, campgrounds, interesting and secluded parks, trails, or other natural delights, you know how hard it is to find everything in one place. One county has a wealth of resources, the other has zilch. Third Coast AH! will gather everything around Lake Michigan into a single comprehensive resource that includes not just trip destinations, but also ideas for what to do when you get there, geared specifically to those who prefer to go silently, on their own power, and (at least some of the time) without a motor.
Why a newsletter? Do I really need another one?
Because a newsletter is current, timely, and imparts a personal experience. And, unlike social media platforms, it doesn’t force you to scroll, to declare your opinion, to perform for others. It just lands —bristling with life, love and useful information— in your mailbox, and is there for you to read and explore at your leisure. As the body of information grows, there will be an archive on the website that you can always refer back to, when you need more inspiration. But none of it keeps you tethered online; it frees you to explore off-line, and maybe even off the grid.
Who is behind this publication?
My name is Justyna Frank and I am the creative force (and pre-dawn typist) behind Third Coast Adventure Hub. I am a recent Chicago-escapee, with a 30+ year history in the city biking scene. I co-founded (together with my much more demure spouse) two of the city’s most iconic bike shops: the cult-starting Rapid Transit Cycleshop (1994-2015), and —in 2016— Cosmic Bikes, which features some of the most out-of-this-world bikes in the region. I’ve recently come out of the closet as an adventurer with a lifelong passion for Lake Michigan, and have been an avid collector of microescapes around its perimeter for the last decade. I also write the Independent Traveler newsletter on Substack.
Are you on social media?
Maybe. Social media is an algorithm-driven beauty pageant I’d prefer to avoid, but I am trying to rekindle my early love of Instagram. I’m also toying with in-person, analog promotional tools, so I hope you don’t mind if I also offer you an occasional, mostly analog ‘zine. OK?
Can I visit your store?
Absolutely. Find us here.