The Burn, part bike tour, part bourbon festival, is a three-day, fully-supported bicycle tour of the bourbon distilleries and Thoroughbred horse farms of Kentucky. Explore quiet country roads and quaint communities en route to distilleries nestled amongst the rolling bluegrass hills. Daily distance options range from 20 - 100 miles and stop at numerous distilleries throughout the event. Back at Bourbon Base Camp, located at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, sip local bourbon from the same distilleries you biked to that day ' plus more ' and enjoy live entertainment with friends, old and new. Registration is open to riders 21+.
Format
The Bourbon Burn is a three-day bicycle tour, with loops departing from the Bourbon Base Camp each morning. Riders can choose between short, medium, or long options each day, plus a century ride option! The best part of a loop ride? You won't have to pack up your tent or check out of your hotel room all weekend!
In addition to a 3-day registration, we also offer a 2-day registration option for Friday & Saturday, for those who are not able to attend the full experience.
"Is it hilly?" Yes. Very. There are no two ways around it. But don’t let that deter you. The terrain isn't rugged or mountainous. You can think of it as 'continuously rolling.'
Most of the "rollers" have 60 - 100 feet of elevation gain over a distance of a quarter-mile to half-mile, which puts most grades in the 6% - 8% range. There are a few longer climbs, especially around the Kentucky River, that stretch for about a mile, with short sections of 10% - 12% grade.
So, if you're looking for completely flat riding, this might not be the ride for you. (But we’d still love to have you as a Non-Rider Participant or as part of our fabulous Family of Volunteers!)
Is it challenging?
Challenging is different for everyone, and everyone likes a challenge. Right? So you will find a little something for everyone, which is why you have daily route options that range from 20 to over 100 miles. You get to decide how much you'd like to challenge yourself.
Round here, we like to say, "You gotta earn The Burn, to savor the flavor." Our goal is that you feel accomplished at the end of each day of riding.
Date: September 26 - 28, 2025
Distances: 20 - 100 miles daily
City, State: Lexington, Kentucky
Start Location: Kentucky Horse Park
Start Time:
Online Information: https://www.bourboncountryburn.com
Email:
Phone: