Thursday Evening Kick Off Ride & Festivities

The unofficial, official first day of riding!

Welcome to Lexingtion, Y’all!

Although the official riding doesn’t begin until Friday morning, The Bourbon Burn unofficially ignites with a self-guided “Welcome Ride” that kicks off at 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The self-guided ride begins at Bourbon Base Camp at the Kentucky Horse Park and follows the Legacy Trail into Lexington. Bluegrass Distillers, West 6th Brewery, and Broke Spoke Bike Community Shop will welcome you with a little taste of The Burn!

The ride is 17.8 miles out-and-back (8.9 mi. one-way) and is the flattest riding you’ll find in these parts! Details about the Welcome Ride can be found below and also within the pages of your Rider’s Guide which will be released in early September.

What other festivities can I expect on Thursday evening?

Thursday Schedule:

• 2pm-9pm: Bourbon Burn Participant Check-in

  • Every participant is required to check-in upon arrival.

  • Check-in will also be offer on Friday morning from 6:30-9am

• 2pm-6pm: A Welcome Sample Available to say “Welcome to Lex, y’all"!” (yum.)

  • You will receive a sample ticket upon arrival at check-in

• 3pm-7pm: Join in on the self-guided Welcome Ride.

  • Bring a bike light & lock. Plan to be back by dark!

  • Bluegrass Distillers provides tours and tastings 4-7pm

  • Happy Hour at West 6th Brewery from 5-7pm ($1 from each beer to benefit Broke Spoke)

  • Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop provides work stations for DIY tune-ups.

  • Dining options are available near the Welcome Ride destination

• 4pm-8pm: Two food trucks will be present in Base Camp on Thursday evening.

  • We also encourage you to head out and explore Lexington's tasty food scene!

• 7pm-7:30pm: Bourbon Burn Welcome & Route Safety Talk (in pavilion)

  • Want an overview of the routes for the weekend? This is your chance!

• 7:30pm-8:30pm: Torchlight Trivia with Phil Talks Whiskey (in VIP Tent)

  • Trivia is free to all (and prizes are involved!).

  • Advance registration for Torchlight Trivia is NOW CLOSED. If you wish to field a trivia team, please check with the Info Tent on Thursday upon arriving at Base camp!

• 10pm: Quiet time. Hit the hay!

  • Our sweet, buttery, bourbon Back Roads will come calling your name early -- at 7am!