Bicycles and bluegrass

Kentucky is the celebrated home of many things, fried chicken, horse racing, country music and now cycling!

Returning contributor, David Linkous, brings us a fun collection of rides from the the Bluegrass state. You can expect lush green fields, rolling countryside and some southern hospitality along the way.

We’d recommend checking out Le Tour de Bleu Grass, this ride is through some of the most famous thoroughbred farms in the world like Godolphin’s Gainesborough Farm and Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, the retirement home of American Pharoah.

This route has a few rolling hills and some fast sections to keep you on your toes and the blue skies and lush green pastures make this route a little bit special.

You can find these rides under NEW in FulGaz or by searching Linkous.

GOSHEN TO PROSPECT

This flat ride goes from the tiny town of Goshen, Kentucky to Prospect, Kentucky, just northeast of Louisville. Starts at Hermitage Farms with a couple of stretches on US Hwy 42 but mainly on scenic backroads. Use it as a warmup, cooldown, or time trial.

More Info
17.82km
DISTANCE
00:40:22
DURATION
127m
ELEVATION

LE TOUR DE BLEU GRASS

This is a ride in the heart of horse country in Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State. It’s a loop that goes from Midway, a small hamlet and former whistle-stop (train tracks go right down the main street) to Versailles (pronounced Ver-SALES in Kentucky) and then back to Midway. The ride goes by some of the most famous thoroughbred farms in the world like Godolphin’s Gainesborough Farm and Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, the retirement home of American Pharoah, the last Triple Crown winner (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes). There are no long sustained climbs; this is more a gentle countryside roller coaster characteristic of the terrain in central Kentucky.

More Info
46.403km
DISTANCE
1:44:31
DURATION
445m
ELEVATION

PEE WEE'S BIKE ADVENTURE

A leisurely scenic ride back toward home near Louisville after filming “Over the River and Through the Woods”. The ride starts at beautiful Hermitage Farm, passes through the tiny town of Crestwood, and ends in the really tiny town of Pewee Valley.

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23.301km
DISTANCE
0:58:59
DURATION
225m
ELEVATION

VALHALLA

This ride starts in Pewee Valley, loops along the margin of Valhalla Golf Club (host of multiple PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup), and ends in Middletown. There are lots of (mostly) quiet and scenic roads along the way. Keep up your speed but watch for deer on the rollers of Johnson Road, a left turn about 8Km into the ride. Valhalla is on the right of Johnson road but shielded from view by the trees.

More Info
27.616km
DISTANCE
1:01:55
DURATION
272m
ELEVATION

DERBY CITY RAMBLE

Louisville, pronounced Looavul by the locals, is also known as Derby City for the Kentucky Derby horse race that is run the first Saturday in May every year. This ride meanders on the east side of Louisville with lots of dips and twists and turns along the way. A great route to enjoy the countryside and clear the head. It ends with a loop around the pond in Long Run Park. Note the storm blowing in at the end.

More Info
40.173km
DISTANCE
1:34:58
DURATION
409m
ELEVATION

ABOUT DAVID

Coming to us from Lousiville, Kentucky, David Linkous originally came from Northern California and loves riding in both regions. Find out more about this week’s contributor by hitting the link below.

 

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