PNC TOUR DE LOU CYCLING EVENT RIDES THROUGH LOUISVILLE TOMORROW
NEW START AND FINISH, PLUS 12-MILE ROUTE ADDED FOR 2026
April 11, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling event – the PNC Tour de Lou – will roll through Louisville TOMORROW. This year, the start and finish line will have a new home at Big Four Lawn, and the 2026 ride will debut a 12-mile route. Cyclists can enjoy a scenic tour of the city on two wheels, including a ride past Churchill Downs. Plus, all participants will receive a commemorative medal to mark the occasion.
The Derby Festival partners with the Louisville Bicycle Club to produce the spring ride, now in its 13th year, offering distance options for cyclists of all experience levels. This year also marks PNC Bank’s 12th year as the Title Sponsor of the event, which is celebrated for its view-worthy routes past iconic Louisville landmarks, historic sites, attractions, and picturesque parks.
Day of Registration & Packet Pick Up
Participants who haven’t picked up their ride packets are able to pick them up on site Sunday beginning at 7 AM.
(Please bring a form of identification.) Day of Registration will also be available on site from 7 AM to 8 AM.
Ride Options
Cyclists choose from four separate cycling distances ranging from 12-to-62 miles. The new 12-mile route is the ideal introduction for beginners and welcomes first-time riders to 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.
All four cycling distances are on an open course, with no streets closed. Starting times are staggered based on distance: 62.1 miles (Metric Century) – 8 a.m., 35-mile ride – 8:15 a.m., 25-mile ride – 8:30 a.m., and 12-mile ride – 9 a.m. A virtual option is also available for participants who want to choose their own route, distance and day to complete the ride.
Course Highlights
The 2026 PNC Tour de Lou will start and finish at Big Four Lawn, adjacent to the Big Four Bridge, for all distances. In addition to riding past Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, riders will experience the sights and sounds of Louisville, including the Old Louisville neighborhood, downtown Louisville, and parts of the Olmsted Park System. Plus, riders of the 35-mile route and the Metric Century will get to pedal through Louisville’s eclectic NuLu neighborhood. Full course and route details are available on KDF.org.
Post-Ride Party
The Post-Ride Party returns for the second straight year and will be held at Big Four Lawn for participants. Following the ride, cyclists will receive one complimentary beer (21+) courtesy of Ten20 Craft Brewery and a complimentary Bundtini from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Riders can redeem their post-ride refreshments at the Finish Line using tear-off tabs attached to their bibs.
Finisher’s Medal
All riders crossing the Finish Line at this year’s PNC Tour de Lou will receive a keepsake medal. The 2026 design features a bold horseshoe design with the Derby Festival’s Pegasus symbol in vibrant orange with a coordinating ribbon.
Participant Support
Baptist Health ER & Urgent Care, the Official Health Partner of the PNC Tour De Lou, returns for the 2026 ride and will be onsite providing hydration and first aid services, offering health information and passing out swag to participants. For more information and to register for the ride or training program, visit KDF.org/TourdeLou.
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.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
2026 marks the 71st year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration packed with 70+ events leading up to the first Saturday in May. As an independent community organization, it’s supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $200 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
About PNC Bank
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.
