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Kentucky Bike Tour

Kentucky Bike Tour

Legendary Bourbon Trail™ — Louisville to Lexington

From $2,799 pp dbl. occ. | 5 days / 4 nights

(+$500 for sgl. occ.)

Kentucky breeds passion. Its bluegrass landscape nurtures prized Thoroughbreds and inspires musicians. Bourbon spirits are carefully crafted and revered here. Horse racing legacy turns up around every corner. Historic monuments and enchanting estates tell tales of the past. Southern hospitality nourishes its warm and welcoming culture. Before you know it, you might find yourself attached to all of Kentucky's obsessions.

Highlights

Follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and ride through stunning farmland with grazing horses and green as far as the eye can see
Learn about the fine art of distilling and sample for yourself the craft and big-label bourbons that make Kentucky famous
Pedal past renowned Thoroughbred farms, perhaps catching sight of famous (or hoping to be famous!) stallions bred to race in the Derby
Explore the roots of the Bluegrass State—from a historic Shaker community to traditional bluegrass music

Kentucky

Start Louisville / End Lexington or Louisville

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary

Day 1 From Louisville, venture to true bluegrass country where our journey begins | Spin through rolling farmland, wooded areas and peaceful country roads | History unfolds in Harrodsburg with buildings dating back to the 1850s | Stay in Shaker Village, once the third largest Shaker community in the US | Join a private tour of the farm before a down-home dinner of Kentucky dishes made with ingredients from Shaker Village's garden.

Days 2-3 Ride an undulating route passing rushing rivers and verdant hillsides dotted with barns and lined with stacked stone walls | Journey to Frankfort, the state's charming riverside capital city boasting a downtown rich in culture and historical architecture | Make yourself at home at Kentucky Castle, a striking medieval-inspired hotel complete with stone walls and turrets plus its own working farm | Follow postcard-perfect country lanes past expansive estates and grazing horses | Visit boutique distilleries and taste their small-batch bourbon.

Days 4-5 Ride through pastureland dotted with stables and Thoroughbreds near Lexington, often called the Horse Capital of the World | Engage with the four-legged residents of the Kentucky Horse Park, a working horse farm with museums and an equine theme park | Enjoy a bluegrass performance while savoring Southern cuisine | Get an incredible behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's premier Thoroughbred race farms and see a few celebrity horses, including winners of the Kentucky Derby | Take time to wander around the exhibitions at our boutique hotel's contemporary art museum | Savor one last ride along a local's favorite route, followed by a visit to a historic distillery.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, e-bike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Available
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Going
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Private Trip
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C Classic Dates

2020 October

10/4–10/8 - 4 nights

10/6–10/10 - 4 nights

10/11–10/15 - 4 nights

10/13–10/17 - 4 nights

10/18–10/22 - 4 nights

View Private Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Private Trip Pricing

10 or more Guests: from $2,799 pp dbl occ

9 Guests: from $3,199 pp dbl occ

8 Guests: from $3,399 pp dbl occ
2-7 Guests: Give us a call or reach out here!

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020 October

8+ 10/6–10/10

10/11–10/15

8+ 10/13–10/17

8+ 10/18–10/22

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $2,799 pp dbl. occ.
5 days / 4 nights

(+$500 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

Read the Reviews
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Premiere Hotels*

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Shaker Village Inn

Harrodsburg (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

Kentucky Castle

Versailles (2 nights)

21C Museum Hotel

Lexington (1 night)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 2-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Kentucky

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels*

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Shaker Village Inn

Harrodsburg (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

Located within the 3,000 acres of National Historic Landmark Shaker Village, the hotel is built in restored Shaker buildings and offers simple rooms furnished with Shaker reproduction furniture and lovely countryside views.

Kentucky Castle

Versailles (2 nights)

Named the "Most Beautiful Hotel in Kentucky" by Architecture Digest, this medieval-style castle hotel dishes out the royal treatment with its farm-to-table restaurant, attention to hospitality, sprawling grounds and an amazing rooftop where you can watch the sun set.

21C Museum Hotel

Lexington (1 night)

Set in a historic downtown building, this boutique hotel embraces the modern with its 7,000-square-foot museum featuring contemporary art exhibitions and a cultural center.

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1			25*	1600	36	2200
2			27*	1300	37*	2000	55	3200
3			18*	1100	30*	1800	58	3800
4			18*	1000	41*	1900	52	2300
5	17	600	25	800

Note: Kentucky's landscape is characterized by constant rises and valleys, and the continuously rolling terrain can make routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price– Available until 4/1/20)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

NEW! Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price – Available beginning 4/1 in North America, 5/1 in Europe and 11/1 outside of Europe and North America.)

Our newly redesigned Titanium Electric-Assist Bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power (and then some!) to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance. Other outstanding features include the same comfort as our Touring Bikes and lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Cannondale Pro Carbon Upgrade ($400 rental fee)

Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package, the Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD pro carbon upgrade is built for experienced cyclists, men and women alike, who are looking for a high-performance bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Roads & Traffic

Kentucky is filled with scenic country roads, however many of them are narrow and lack a proper shoulder. On some occasions we have to bike on short sections of busier road to connect the best biking routes. Of course, you're always welcome to jump in the shuttle to avoid the more trafficked sections.

Accommodation

On the first night of the trip we stay at the Shaker Village Inn, a Casual Hotel. This historic hotel is purposefully designed in a minimalist style that reflects the Shaker philosophy. This means simple rooms with fewer amenities than one might find at a typical Backroads hotel.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Kentucky

The Best Leaders in Kentucky

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Kentucky, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Quality You Can Measure

Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

We Know Where We're Going

Tom Hale has been keeping Backroads on track, with one eye on the horizon, since 1979. His passion for active travel, and for ensuring the highest-quality travel experience, is evident in every detail we add to make a guest's trip unforgettable—and the fact he's right there in the office, making it happen. To hear Tom describe his vision, watch our video.

A Variety of Routes Each Day

In Kentucky you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.

We Live in the Neighborhood

Our Trip Leaders in Kentucky live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.

Navigate Your Way in Kentucky

Your ride comes equipped with a GPS device, preloaded with all the routes and route options for your trip. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.

Great Bikes Included

Our custom-designed titanium bikes are best in class. From avid cyclists to easygoing riders, we believe that everyone deserves a seriously great bike to match their riding style. Learn more about our bike fleet.

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Guest Photo Gallery

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Kentucky Bike Tour