Overview

Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the 21c Museum Hotel Lexington at 10:30 AM on the first day of the trip. After a five-minute private shuttle, you’ll arrive at Smithtown Seafood inside West Sixth Brewery (vegetarian and vegan options are readily available). Here you will be treated to your first of many meals filled with local ingredients and inspired by the local food culture. After this hearty lunch and a short round of introductions, your guides will discuss the rules of bike safety and specific cycling tips for riding in central Kentucky before familiarizing you with your Trek bicycle and ensuring a comfortable fit. Then it's time to take your first pedal strokes through horse country! You'll begin on the Legacy Trail Bike Path and wind your way past the Kentucky Horse Park and into rolling fields of beautiful farms. Your ride ends at Evans Orchard Cider Mill before a 30-minute shuttle to the Kentucky Castle. Settle into your room in this unique property, then stroll through the organic garden and visit the resident pygmy goats. This evening you'll gather for a welcome social hour on the castle grounds. Then, toast to the exciting week to come over a flavorful farm to table meal.

Overview

After breakfast this morning, you'll shuttle one hour to MeadowCreek Farm, just outside the town of Lebanon. Here you'll meet the owners of the farm and learn about the world-class Standardbred horses bred and trained here on a behind the scenes tour. Afterwards, you'll shuttle another 10 minutes to Limestone Branch Distillery, where you can change into your cycling gear. Ride a loop through the hills around Lebanon on quiet country roads before enjoying a tasty picnic lunch. Following lunch, you will be treated to a guided tour of the distillery and a bourbon tasting before shuttling about an hour to your home for the next two nights, the 3,000-acre grounds of the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Check into your simple room in the West Family Dwelling and soak in the history of this unique and peaceful place. This evening enjoy your first dinner in the The Trustees' Table or get your food to-go and enjoy it on the grassy lawn of the village. While this evening's meal is included with the price of your trip, it is not a group meal, to allow time to dine with your travel partner or newfound friends of your choosing.

Overview

Today is your opportunity to explore the many offerings of the Shaker Village area. This morning's ride will take you northwest, on roads through open farmland in the Salt River watershed. Upon your return to the village, a gourmet boxed lunch will be waiting for you, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you like. Choose to ride a bit more, to the small town of Burgin, or set out on a hike through the village's property, which features over 30 miles of trail through native prairies, woodlands, fields, and canebrakes. Or you may opt to take one of the many tours offered daily to learn about the Shakers who lived here around the turn of the nineteenth century: their music, architecture, kitchen practices, farming techniques, and skilled craftsmanship. Check out the extensive garden, visit some of the animals on the farm or simply relax in a rocking chair and take in a view that hasn't changed much since the Shakers' day. In the late afternoon, you will join your travel companions for a drink and narrated tractor tour, which will introduce you to the rich history of the village. Following the tour, you will enjoy a lovely group dinner in The Trustees' Table.

Overview

After a final breakfast at The Trustees' Table, a short fifteen minute shuttle brings you to the town of Wilmore, where you will begin the day's riding. Ride alongside the Kentucky River and through several of its tributary drainages on this morning's ride as you cross unique bridges and pass through forests and small farms. When you arrive in downtown Versailles you'll be on your own for lunch, with a number of fresh and delicious options to choose from. Back on your bike, it's more gorgeous miles past thoroughbred farms on your way to your final home on the trip, 21c Museum Hotel Lexington. Take some time to walk around downtown and explore the hotel's impressive contemporary art galleries before venturing into downtown Lexington for dinner on your own.

Overview

After breakfast in the hotel's restaurant, Lockbox, it's time to head out on your last full day in Bourbon Country. We promise you won't be tired of riding past winding hand-laid stone fences and manicured pastures filled with horses, through tiny towns, and down shaded lanes. After a brief ten minute shuttle to Masterson Station Park, you'll hop on your bike and make your way to The Stave for lunch. Here, a menu of modern twists on favorite Kentucky dishes awaits while you relax on the patio that overlooks Glenn's Creek. Next up, head to Castle & Key, a small, beautiful, boutique distillery. Enjoy a tasting of their craft, then shuttle or ride to Wallace Station before shuttling a half hour back to the hotel. Tonight you'll join your travel companions in the bar at Lockbox for a fun social hour, followed by dinner as you toast your week in horse and bourbon country.

Overview

On the final morning of your trip you'll lace up your walking shoes for a fun, interesting, and highly informative walk around downtown Lexington with a knowledgeable local tour guide. Learn about the history, artists, and unique characters of this fascinating city as you walk the streets, visit notable landmarks, and visit a locally-owned art gallery. It's a relaxing way to wrap up your time in the Bluegrass State. Upon your return to the hotel, you'll have time to freshen up before check-out. A private Trek Travel shuttle will depart from the hotel at 11:00 AM. You’ll then say farewell to your guides at 11:15 AM at the Blue Grass Airport. Please do not schedule a flight out before 1:00 PM on the last day of the trip to allow plenty of time for any unforeseen delays.