PNC Tour de Lou

REGISTER NOW!

Get ready to roll! The Kentucky Derby Festival is once again partnering with the Louisville Bicycle Club to produce the PNC Tour de Lou on Saturday, April 19.

Participants will have the opportunity to bike in-person, as well as the option to participate virtually. The 12th annual PNC Tour de Lou is a unique way to explore Louisville on two wheels while passing through some of the city’s scenic parks, neighborhoods and historic sites with cyclists from all across the country.

New for the 2025 Ride

  • The PNC Tour de Lou returns on a Saturday (April 19) for the 2025 event.
  • This year’s Start and Finish Line is moving due to flooding along the Waterfront. The Start and Finish will now be at the Belvedere (141 N 6th Street, Louisville). The Belvedere entrance is located on Main Street in Downtown Louisville between 4th and 6th Streets. More details and the final course will be released in the coming days. (Full course and route details will be released soon).
  • Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling will offer bike rentals for the first time for the PNC Tour de Lou. Participants can choose from a Road Bike or a Hybrid Bike (limited quantities available). Click HERE to rent a bike. 

Ride Options

As always, the Festival’s annual bike event is for riders of all levels of experience, with three separate cycling distances:

  • 62.1 Miles (Metric Century) – Ideal for advanced riders or those looking for a challenge: 8 AM
  • 35 Miles – Ideal for moderate/experienced riders: 8:15 AM
  • 20 Miles – Ideal for beginners or those new to cycling: 8:30 AM
  • Virtual Ride – 20, 35, and Metric Century Options (Find more info here!)

Packet Pick-Up

  • Thursday, April 17th: 4 – 7 PM
  • Friday, April 18th: 9 AM – 7 PM
  • Location: West Sixth Brewery, Main Floor
  • Saturday, April 19th: 7 AM – 8 AM on site near the Belvedere Start

PACKET PICK-UP INFORMATION

When: Packet Pick-Up will be on Thursday, April 17th (4 PM – 7 PM) & Friday, April 18th (9 AM – 7 PM)

Where: West Sixth NuLu, 817 E. Market Street

Day of Packet Pick-up will be available near the Start Line from 7 AM – 8 AM. We suggest that you arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to your ride to get ready to go!

How will this work?

Join us at our partner, West Sixth NuLu’s taproom and brewery to grab your gear and get ready to ride!

Don’t forget to stop by the Kentucky Derby Festival Merchandise Spot to pick up or purchase your 2025 PNC Tour de Lou Official Jersey commemorating the 12th year ride!

Grab a limited edition 2025 PNC Tour de Lou Event Pin to commemorate your ride!

Some FAQs

1. Can I come any day or time that I want?

No appointment is necessary for packet pickup. Riders are welcome to stop by at any time during our designated packet pickup hours—whatever works best for your schedule.

2. What do I need to bring with me?

A form of identification.

3.How can I pick up the jersey, and other merchandise I purchased?

When you arrive at West Sixth NuLu, you’ll find us set up on the main floor. While picking up your packet, you can also collect your pre-purchased jersey—just let the volunteer assisting you know.

Our Official Merchandise area will be open and featuring this year’s jersey, along with select jerseys from previous years available for purchase.

If you haven’t already, you can still pre-order items to ensure they’re ready for you on-site.

Click here to order the 2025 KDF Tour de Lou Jersey

4. What if I need to pick up for multiple people?

Riders are welcome to pick up multiple packets at once. Please ensure you have a photo ID or a picture of the ID for each individual you are collecting a packet for.

5. I’m coming from out of town and will not be there until Ride Day, how do I get my packet?

Day-of packet pickup will be available starting at 7 AM. If you plan to pick up your packet that morning, we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your ride start time.

6.Where can I view the course for my ride?
All official PNC Tour de Lou routes are available on Ride With GPS.

Get the GPS Route for all Distances (20-, 35- and 61.1-Miles HERE

Access to course routes requires a free account registration with RideWithGPS.com. The app is also available for download on the App Store or Google Play. 

 

Post Ride Party

NEW THIS YEAR, all participants can celebrate after the ride at the Post Ride Party! Cyclists 21 and over can enjoy one free beer thanks to West Sixth Brewing (Must present ID and ride medal). Each participant will also receive a sweet treat courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cake (Official Bundt Cake of the Festival) or a Partee’s Kitchen Cookie. Plus, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, the Official Fried Chicken of the Festival, is offering a free piece of chicken to all cyclists.

 

Ride Details

Participants will enjoy spectacular views and expert support throughout the ride. All cycling distances will be an open course, rules of the road rides, with no streets closed. Trained Support and Gear (SAG) crews, law enforcement and medical professionals will be on hand.

2025 PNC Tour de Lou Rider Guide

Ride with GPS Link to all Routes: https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Event/360303/S9KTHEJzs5A9pSGtqAK4Qom01yWvKBur

Access to course routes requires a free account registration with RideWithGPS.com. The app is also available for download on the App Store or Google Play. 

What is Tour de Lou?
The PNC Kentucky Derby Festival Tour de Lou is a bicycle tour throughout our city! It’s a non-competitive, un-timed, 20-, 35- or 62.1- (Metric Century) mile ride for riders of all experience levels. We’ll be offering both In-Person and Virtual Ride registrations.

  • The 2025 route for participants in the 20-mile, 35-mile & Metric Century will start and finish at the Belvedere (141 N 6th Street, Louisville). The Belvedere entrance is located on Main Street in Downtown Louisville between 4th and 6th Streets. 
  • This will be a looped course, touring Louisville’s historic parks and neighborhoods.  
  • The Metric Century will also ride through Louisville.
  • All registered participants of the 2024 PNC Tour will receive:
    • The 2025 PNC Tour de Lou Medal
    • An Official PNC Tour de Lou Ride T-Shirt 
    • Invitation to the Post Ride Party to celebrate

What time does the Tour de Lou start?
This year’s in-person routes will have staggered start times: 

  • 62.1 Mile (Metric Century): 8 AM 
  • 35 Mile: 8:10 AM 
  • 20 Mile: 8:20 AM

 Where is the Start and Finish Line?
The 2025 PNC Tour de Lou will start and finish at the Belvedere (141 N 6th Street, Louisville). The Belvedere entrance is located on Main Street in Downtown Louisville between 4th and 6th Streets. More details and the final course will be released in the coming days.  This will again be a looped course. Riders will bike through the parks and neighborhoods of Louisville, on an open course with safety support.   

20-mile route: (20.6 miles with 282 feet of elevation gain)

35-mile route: (35.9 miles with 855 feet of elevation gain)

62.1 mile route: (62.1 miles with 1,277 feet of elevation gain)

Get the GPS Route for all Distances (20-, 35- and 61.1-Miles HERE

Access to course routes requires a free account registration with RideWithGPS.com. The app is also available for download on the App Store or Google Play. 

 What time does the Finish Line close?

The Finish Line will close at 3:30 PM. Riders must maintain an 8-13 mph or faster pace to complete the ride.  

Where can I park?

Parking is available in multiple surface lots close to the Start and Finish Line.

  • 121 South 6th Street – Surface Lot
  • 529 West Market – Surface Lot
  • PNC Tower 101 S 5th – Garage
  • 713 West Market – Surface Lot
  • Kentucky Performing Arts 121 N 6th – Garage
  • Kentucky Science Center 801 Washington St – Surface Lot

 Where can I pick up my ride packet and swag?  

Packet Pickup will be offered the week leading up to the ride. Packet Pick Up will be on Thursday, April 17th (4 PM – 7 PM) & Friday, April 18th (9 AM – 7 PM).

Where: West Sixth NuLu, 817 E. Market Street

Day of packet pick-up will be available at the Belvedere. We suggest that you arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to your ride to get ready to go!

What do I get as part of my Registration in the Tour de Lou?  

Riders will receive:  

  • The Official PNC Tour de Lou Medal
  • The Official PNC Tour de Lou shirt (for the 20 & 35 mile routes), or a Tech Shirt (for the Metric Century ride). 
  • Virtual Race Bag Access
  • Course support including Rest Stops with water, snacks and bathrooms.
  • Access to GPS Route files for each distance, so riders can follow along on a Garmin, smart phone, or other GPS Device.  

Will there be places to get water, nutrition and take bathroom breaks along the In-Person course?  

Yes! We will have Rest Stops throughout each of the route distances. Riders will be able to refuel with water, snacks and restrooms. These stops will include Porta-Johns for bathroom breaks. Details about where they are located will be included in the final map of the Ride Routes.

Am I required to wear a helmet to participate in the Tour de Lou?
To keep everyone safe, we require that every participant wear a helmet that conforms to CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) standards. Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in removal from the course.  

How do I purchase a Tour de Lou ride jersey?
Jerseys can be purchased during online registration and can be picked up during training rides, as well as picked up during Rider Packet Pick-Up.   

Looking for someone to ride with, or want to train before you complete your full ride?  CLICK HERE to check out our partners at Louisville Bike Club, or take a look at their ride calendar. 

Looking for someone to ride with, or want to train before you complete your full ride? CLICK HERE to check out our partners at Louisville Bike Club, or take a look at their ride calendar.

Tour de Lou Details