Date & Location
June 14-15, 2025
Starting line:
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
501 E Stephen Foster Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
Time(s)
7:30 AM start time
Routes
Routes from 30 to 62 miles. See Routes & Maps below for more details.
Requirements
Fundraising Minimum: $300
Age Minimum: 12
This is where you will find your event schedule along with any local guidelines and regulations. Check back periodically for any updates.
Looking for information about all of our events and meet-ups leading up to the ride? Visit the Pre-Ride Activities Page.
Saturday
6:00 AM - Start Line opens at My Old Kentucky Home State Park
7:30 AM - Riders depart
10 AM - Team Village opens at My Old Kentucky Home State Park and bike corral available
11:00 AM - Food/beer tents open
4:00 PM - Bike MS route closes, all cyclists must be off route
4:30 PM - Village area flips for dinner program
5:00 PM – Cocktail reception concludes, band performs before dinner
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Dinner & Evening Celebration at My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Sunday
6:30 AM - Start Line opens at My Old Kentucky Home State Park
7:30 AM - Riders depart
10 AM - Team Village opens
11:00 AM - Food tents open
4:00 PM - Route closes
5:30 PM - Event site is closed
With a variety of route options, you can choose the challenge that’s right for you.
Please note that routes are subject to change as seen by the Bike MS Staff up to ride weekend, so be sure to check back here to confirm ride details before you embark on your journey!
*Please note that E-Bikes are permitted in Bike MS events. Participants shall be responsible for battery and other logistical support for E-Bikes.
Bike MS Fundraising Weeks are proudly sponsored by Point B, an organization that shares our commitment to creating a world free of MS. Elevate your fundraising and win some prizes along the way.
The rules are simple: raise the most money during a Fundraising Week and we will reward you for your fundraising success.
The teams and individuals who fundraise the most funds during the fundraising week will win prizes to enhance their Bike MS weekend experience while raising critical funds to END MS FOREVER. This year’s fundraising weeks will be:
Fundraising Week #1:
April 7th - April 13th
Team Prize
Win your very own team portapotty out on the route! A throne for our very own Fundraising Week #1 Kings & Queens!
WINNER: Chino Hills ReCyclers
Individual Prize
Win VIP perks on ride weekend - More details to come soon, so keep an eye on your email and the website!
WINNER: Byron Bell
Fundraising Week #2:
May 5th - May 11th
Fundraising Weeks run Monday through Sunday at midnight. Each fundraising week will have winners in the following categories*:
• Top Fundraising Team
• Top Fundraising Individual rider (team member or non-team member)
*based on the highest amount of online fundraising (total dollars raised) this week
As a reward for your amazing fundraising, each winner will receive exclusive prizes on ride weekend! Stay tuned - Prize details coming soon!
In order to pick up your packet, you must meet the $300 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. If you registered online, you've already completed a waiver during the registration process. Please note: Riders under 18 will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Another team member, team captain or family member may pick up your packet for you, as long as you've reached your fundraising minimum and have already turned in a signed waiver.
Packet mailing
Mailed packets are not offered at this time.
In-person packet pick-up
Friday, June 13
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bardstown
3305 East John Rowan Blvd, Bardstown, KY 40004
5:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday, June 14
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
501 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004
6:30am-7:30am
Find local hotels, event accommodations and transportation details below. Any luggage and bike storage needs that you may have will be located here as well. Our team will be working diligently to get you the best deals and experiences for the event!
Lodging
Bardstown, KY Hotels
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bardstown
3305 East John Rowan Blvd
Bardstown, KY 40004
Please click here to book!
Please note: This booking link will expire on May 23, 2025, so you must book prior to that date to ensure you get the discounted rate.
More hotels will be added in the future. Check back soon for more details!
Transportation
Please be advised that there is no formal transportation between the hotels and the My Old Kentucky State Park. Cyclists are responsible for getting themselves back and forth.
Don’t worry, our event will have a place for you to park your vehicle! Any and all parking information will be located here.
Cyclists, get ready to enjoy an authentic taste of the Bluegrass State during ride weekend! We're curating delicious menus that showcase the best local flavors, ensuring a true Kentucky experience. Full food menus will be available soon, and we'll also have additional details for those needing dietary accommodations. Stay tuned for more updates - we can't wait to fuel your ride with great food!
After an exciting day of riding, each cyclist is invited to enjoy a fantastic dinner during our Saturday evening Awards Presentation. Each participant is welcome to bring one guest to join in on an evening filled with great eats, good company, and a well-deserved celebration. We kindly ask that you purchase your guest's ticket in advance of ride weekend to help us plan accordingly.
Saturday Menu:
Breakfast | Power up with a grab-and-go spread of protein bars and fresh fruit.
Finish Line Lunch | Celebrate crossing the finish line with a hearty and refreshing grilled chicken wrap packed with mixed greens, pasta salad, and pretzels.
*Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.
Awards Dinner | Cap off your Saturday with an authentic Kentucky dinner full of flavor featuring Marinated Beef with horseradish butter, Chicken Lombardy, buttered new potatoes, green beans, sweet corn, and a roll. And, of course, no dinner is complete without a famous piece of bourbon or strawberry cake!
*Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.
Sunday Menu:
Breakfast | Start the final ride with the legendary Chris Cakes’ Flying Pancakes – it’s breakfast and a show! Enjoy them with scrambled eggs, fruit salad, and hot coffee to kick it all into gear.
Finish Line Lunch | Cross the finish line and dig into a delicious boxed lunch featuring pulled pork sandwiches, chips, baked beans, coleslaw, and a chess bar.
*Vegetarian and vegan boxed options are available upon request.
Route
Whether you have a flat tire or need a snack to help get you across the finish line, we’ve got you covered.
Each route includes fully stocked rest stops, supplied with hydration and nutritional snacks (a mix of fruit, protein, sweet, and salty snacks), every 8 to 18 miles with some of the best snacks and volunteers around. Relax, hydrate, use the restroom, re-apply sunscreen and enjoy time with the volunteers. Along the route you will be joined by our support and gear (SAG) vehicles who will be on there to assist you.
After you cross the finish line, we will have plenty of local food available.
Bike Shops
The support we receive from local bike shops is crucial; bike mechanics will be located throughout the ride along with yearly support from shops in the area. For more Bike Shop information, check out the Training and Prep page!
Medical Support & Emergency Assistance
Emergency medical support travels the entire route in the event that a cyclist may be injured. Help us provide top-notch first aid by completing the back of your rider number.
In addition, an emergency number will be printed on the wristband included in your rider number packet. Use this number during the ride if you spot an accident. First aid stations will also be available.
Support and Gear (SAG) Vehicles
Just can't push another pedal, or just need a ride to the next stop? Support And Gear (SAG) vehicles rove the route and rest stops. Call the number on your wristband and look for the first SAG to come your way.
Note: The trip into the finish line is not always direct. Be patient as we pick up other cyclists in need. If you only want a ride to the next rest stop, let the driver know. Always remember to thank your driver, who is volunteering his or her time for the weekend to support you.
Personal SAG Vehicles are prohibited. Personal SAG vehicles are not permitted on the route. Please understand our need to cut down on vehicular traffic for your safety.
No trailers, tagalongs or child carriers are allowed on the route per the Society’s Youth Riders policy.
Communications Team
Communications volunteers are stationed along the route. If you encounter an accident or other emergency, let the communications volunteer know. They are easy to spot: just look for a car with a really big antenna! Note: These volunteers are there for communication purposes and are not permitted to direct traffic.
Police & Communities Who Welcome Us
Please be respectful of the communities that support and welcome Bike MS! Their hospitality makes this event possible. Every effort is made to keep you safe. Where possible, local law enforcement agencies have been recruited to help you travel safely through intersections and on shared roadways.
Be courteous, as they help you travel safely through their communities. Visit the Training & Prep page for more details on safe and courteous cycling behavior.
2025 Know Before You Go | Pre-Event Logistics Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 5th, 2025
Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm EST
Your local Bike MS staff and amazing guest speakers will get you prepared for the Bike MS: Bluegrass Bourbon Ride. Topics will include cycling safety and protocols, ride support, bike inspections, suggested packing list, and more.
2025 Event Weekend Experiences at My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Don't miss your chance to explore the My Old Kentucky Home State Park on one of these two special tours! Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot. To sign up, please complete the Microsoft Forms page below. A member of the My Old Kentucky Home team will follow up with you to collect payment information approximately 2 weeks prior to the event.
Bottle & Bond Class - 20 Spots Available | Saturday, June 14th at 12:00pm | $45.00 per person
In this guided tasting, you will choose four tastes from a curated selection of Bottled-In-Bond bourbons and ryes, uncovering what makes these spirits a timeless mark of quality and authenticity. You'll also be served a classic cocktail featuring these extraordinary spirits. You'll learn the history and significance of the Bottled-In-Bond Act, how the 100-proof standard shapes flavor and character, the tasting techniques to identify key notes in both bourbon and rye, and the stories behind some of the most iconic bonded bottles.
Mint Julep Class - 50 Spots Available | Saturday, June 14th at 3:30pm | $35.00 per person
Enjoy My Old Kentucky Home as it relates to the iconic Kentucky Mint Julep! One of the earliest of mixed cocktails, the Kentucky Mint Julep is a symbol of southern hospitality and is a favorite drink of the fastest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby! Join our costumed guides as they illustrate through their tour of the many buildings, garden areas, and special furniture that go into the making of a proper Kentucky mint julep
Experiences are only available to registered participants at this time.
Forms will be due no later than Friday, May 30th, 2025!
Ride photos will be posted on our Flickr page two to three weeks after the ride. We will share the link here when photos are ready!
Check out 2024 ride photos HERE!
Team Captains
On average, approximately 17 teams ride at Bike MS: Bluegrass Bourbon Ride. Team Captains are essential to the ride's success each year and we’re here to support and recognize you!
As a Team Captain, you'll receive one-on-one help from Bike MS staff to answer questions, provide guidance, support team fundraising and recruitment events, and much more. Please also visit the Teams page for additional team captain resources and information.
Build Your Team: Email Maddie.Alder@nmss.org to request Bluegrass Bourbon Ride promotional materials, such as brochures and posters, to help with team member recruitment.
Team Perks
With so many amazing teams, how can we not recognize them throughout the season!? Team recognition comes in many forms, such as:
- Special team incentives during each fundraising week throughout the season.
- Team photo
- Opportunity to be recognized during the ride day announcements
- Is your team celebrating an anniversary year? Let us know!
The I Ride with MS program celebrates and recognizes Bike MS cyclists who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and shines a light on what it means to live with this disease. Anyone living with MS who participates in a Bike MS event can join the program. Visit our I Ride with MS page to learn more.
Here are some special features of our Bluegrass Bourbon Ride I Ride with MS program:
- Free 2025 I Ride with MS jersey mailed before ride weekend
- Jerseys will be available by request at the pre-ride Packet Pick Up and ride day
- VIP status on event weekend
