DERBY FESTIVAL’S FREE PNC TOUR DE LOU TRAINING PROGRAM ROLLS OUT IN FEBRUARY
FIRST 250 REGISTRANTS RECEIVE FREE SHIRT
February 13, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Looking to get in cycling shape for spring? The Kentucky Derby Festival and PNC Bank are offering FREE training for cyclists of all experience levels. The six-week PNC Tour de Lou Training Program, produced by the Louisville Bicycle Club, gets rolling Sunday, Feb. 22, and is designed to help participants prepare for the annual PNC Tour de Lou cycling event in April. Registration for the Training Program is open online at KDF.org/TourdeLou.
“Whether you’re new to cycling or getting back in the saddle, the PNC Tour de Lou Training Program is a great way to build confidence and prepare for ride day,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “With help from the Louisville Bicycle Club, riders learn practical tips on training, safety, and nutrition as they get ready for one of Louisville’s favorite spring traditions.”
The PNC Tour de Lou Training Program features six weekly rides on Sundays and will offer participants training tips, including hand signals, rules of the road and nutrition information. All training rides take place at noon Sundays from Feb. 22 through March 29, with rides increasing by five miles every couple of weeks. Rides will begin at the Waterfront Park Yellow Parking Lot on River Road. In addition to a bicycle, all riders must bring a helmet. The first 250 participants to register for the Training Program will receive a FREE training shirt.
The 2026 PNC Tour de Lou Training Program schedule includes:
- Feb. 22 – 10-Mile Training Ride
- March 1 – 15-Mile Training Ride
- March 8 – 15-Mile Training Ride
- March 15 – 20-Mile Training Ride
- March 22 – 20-Mile Training Ride
- March 29 – 25-Mile Training Ride
The PNC Tour de Lou is set for Sunday, April 12. Registration is open online at KDF.org/TourdeLou. The cycling event features four separate distances (12 miles, 25 miles, 35 miles and 62.1 miles), along with a virtual ride option.
Highlights of the 2026 event include:
- A new Start and Finish Line at Big Four Lawn, adjacent to the Big Four Bridge, offering riders scenic views of the waterfront as they kick off and finish their ride.
- The debut of a 12-mile route, which is the ideal introduction for beginners and welcomes first-time riders to be part of the event.
- The former 20-mile route has been expanded to 25 miles to allow riders of varying distances to stay together longer and enhance the overall ride experience.
PNC Bank is the Title Sponsor of the Tour de Lou. Official Health Partner: Baptist Health ER & Urgent Care. Official Nutrition Sponsor: Kroger. Contributing Sponsor: Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling. Supporting Sponsors: Louisville Bicycle Club and Louisville Water Company. Media Sponsors: 102.3 The Rose and ALT 105.1.
