2023 PNC Tour de Lou RIDE DAY FAQS

1. I missed packet pick- up, how do I get my packet?
Day of Packet Pick-Up Will be available starting at 7:00 AM. We suggest that you arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to your ride to get ready to go!

2. Where does the ride start?
All distances will start from the west corner of the parking lot at 399 E Witherspoon St, Louisville KY 40202. This lot is located at the corner of Witherspoon & Floyd St.

3. What time will my ride start?
Join us for rules of the road and remarks from our sponsors at 7:55 am.
The Metric Century will ride off at 8:00
35 Mile ride at 8:15
20 Mile ride at 8:30.
The Family Adventure Ride at 9:30 am

4. Where can I view the course for my ride?
KDF. ORG
All courses are available on RIDE WITH GPS

5. Where can I park ?
a. Limited parking will be available on the EAST side of the 399 E Witherspoon lot (where the ride we start ) for $8
b. Street parking is free on surrounding side streets as well as just one block away on Main Street
c. There are multiple garages in there area that will have daily parking rates: Humana Waterside Garage

6. How does weather affect the event ?
Weather in the Ohio Valley in the spring can be very unpredictable. The average high for Louisville in April is 70 degrees and the normal low is 47 degrees.

The PNC Tour de Lou has never been canceled due to weather. In the event of severe weather the ride times may be delayed. The safety of our participants, attendees, volunteers and organizers is always top priority.

7. Can I switch ride distances?
There is a $10 transfer fee. If you have registered for a lower distance, you may be asked to pay the ride fee difference to best provide support for all riders

8. Can I start with a person riding another distance?
Yes, all rides follow the same course until Churchill Downs, you will have to split at later distances depending on what distance you are riding.

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.

• Participants in the 20-mile, 35-mile & Metric Century will ride through historic Churchill Downs racetrack. More course details to come! 
• This will be a looped course, touring Louisville’s historic parks and neighborhoods.   
• The Metric Century will once again be a tour of two states, as the 62.1- mile course will not only take you through Louisville’s parks and neighborhoods, but also across the Big Four Bridge and into scenic Southern Indiana. (Specific Course and route details to come in early 2023.) 
• The Tour de Lou Family Adventure Ride returns for the second year in 2023. Head to the Waterfront for a casual three-mile looped course featuring a scavenger hunt. Recommended for ages 14 and younger. All children riders must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.

• All registered participants of the 2023 PNC Tour will receive:
  • An Official PNC Tour de Lou Ride T-Shirt 
  • SWAG Bag 
  • 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: 8:15 AM 
• 20 Mile: 8:30 AM
• Family Ride: 9:30 AM

Will the 2023 Tour de Lou differ from previous years?  

Yes! Here are just a few of the things you can look forward to in 2023:  

• A returning route highlight for our 20-mile, 35-mile, and Metric Century riders will include a lap through Churchill Downs!  
• Our second annual Family Adventure Ride will now feature a scavenger hunt through Waterfront Park! This is recommended their children ages 4-14 and their families. This three-mile loop will be full of fun surprises and snacks will be available.
• The Metric Century route will again tour two states, as riders cross into Indiana for a portion of the route. 
• We will be bringing back the post-ride celebration in a new way! Look for more details in the new year.   

 Where is the Start and Finish Line?
The 2023 PNC Tour de Lou will start and end at in the corner lot at 301 East Witherspoon St and the Corner of Floyd Street. This will again be a looped course. Riders will bike through the parks and neighborhoods of Louisville, on an open course with safety support.   

The complete routes will be released in January, along with GPS Files for each Route.  

 What time does the Finish Line close?
The Finish Line will close at 2 PM. Riders must maintain an 8-13 mph or faster pace to complete the ride.  

 Where can I pick up my ride packet and swag?  

Packet Pickup will be offered the week leading up to the ride. More details on specific date and times will be released in January 2023.

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

Riders will receive:  

• The Official PNC Tour de Lou shirt (for the 20 & 35 mile routes, and the Family Ride) or a Tech Shirt (for the Metric Century ride). Both the registered child rider and one chaperone will receive the Official PNC Tour de Lou ride shirt for the Family Ride.  
• An Official PNC Tour de Lou Swag Bag  
• 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, where riders will be able to refuel with single-serve water and single-serve snacks. Some Rest Stops will also 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.