Redbud Ride offers a route for everyone
Cyclists at different skill-levels require different routes — that's why the RedBud Ride offers four.
These include the yellow, orange, green, and red routes. While riders can decide for themselves which route best fits their comfort and experience, the most commonly recommended option for beginners is the yellow route, a smooth, 24-mile loop that travels from downtown London to McWhorter Church and back.
Advertisement
Second in difficulty is the 34-mile orange route. It is a modest route, great for first-timers seeking a challenge or experienced riders interested in keeping a more casual pace.
The green, intermediate route entails 72 miles. The route will have several short hills, as well as some flats.
The route is known for being scenic and will once again be part of the Kentucky Cycling Challenge, which contains five rides including the Redbud Ride. In the case that an individual participates in all five rides on the list, they will receive custom gear for the year.
The red — and pinnacle of the Redbud Ride — is the most advanced route. It has been chosen by cyclists across the nation as the 'Best Century Ride in America."
Advertisement
The route will be a part of the Kentucky Century Challenge again this year. The challenge requires cyclists to complete at least 250 miles to earn rewards.
All adult routes are on public roads and highways. Kelvin Hibbard, London Downtown President, shared that riders are expected to follow all state traffic and bicycle safety rules, as the Redbud Ride prioritizes safety, with six safety and gear (SAG) drivers patrolling the routes in clearly marked vehicles and four medically trained Red Cross riders biking alongside participants to assist if needed.
Each of the four routes will be marked with signs, colored arrows, and street signage. Volunteers drive the routes in advance to highlight any potholes or road hazards. Curves and turns are painted with colored arrows on the pavement — red route riders follow red arrows, blue route riders follow blue, etc.
In addition to physical markers, cyclists can download free GPS maps of the routes through this link: https://visitlondonky.com/attractions/cycling-capital-of-kentucky-2/. Hibbard stated the the GPS system offers detailed, turn-by-turn navigation, including parking instructions, elevation changes, and rest stop alerts. It is available at no cost and can be programmed directly into a participant's phone.
Advertisement
All routes include multiple rest stops — about nine total— spaced approximately 15 to 20 miles apart. These stops offer cyclists the chance to rest, eat or hydrate, and use the restroom before heading out again.
Although most participants finish by mid-afternoon — around 2 to 3 p.m. —organizers remain on-site until the final rider returns to ensure each cyclist completes their route safely.
Hibbard shared the event will take place rain or shine. For more information about the four RedBud Ride routes, visit https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/LondonRedBudRide/Page-5.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-exterior-the-trail-hotel-kentucky-TRAILHOTEL0625-90c71efb9c444b0ea72745d61f9b019f.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
an hour ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Kentucky Town Is The Bourbon Capital of the World—and It Just Got Its First Luxury Hotel with Bourbon Butlers, a Pool, and a Hidden Speakeasy
The Trail underwent a chic midcentury modern–inspired redesign and restoration, featuring leather and wood accents. The on-site restaurant, Oak & Ember, showcases a massive bourbon lineup, a wine list curated by a level three sommelier, and recipes crafted by cookbook author and chef Marvin Woods. Fitting to Bardstown's fame as 'the Bourbon Capital of the World,' the hotel's two on-staff bourbon butlers can coordinate exclusive experiences and tastings. Rather than a traditional spa, the hotel features a wellness area that offers IV treatments, a cryotherapy pod, an oxygen bar, and more. 'We're so glad you're here,' the front desk staff member greeted me with a smile. Ten seconds in at the brand-new The Trail Hotel, which had just opened in May, and I was already experiencing some of Kentucky's signature Southern hospitality. After flying into Louisville airport, I made my way to Bardstown, aka the Bourbon Capital of the World, and checked into the Prohibition Suite at the city's first high-end boutique hotel. Over shrimp cocktail and tuna crudo, Jason Thompson, the director of bourbon experiences and sales, and Norma Smith, one of the hotel's two bourbon butlers, filled me in on its history. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was originally opened as a Holiday Inn on April 1, 1971. It was sold in 2004, rebranded, and served as a hotel for a dozen years. It sat empty from 2016 to 2021, before being put up for auction. Then, high school friends Will Hardy and Nathan 'Ejo' Edmonds put in a bid and won. Right on cue, the other bourbon butler, Jackie Hill, walked over to our table, introduced herself, and added, 'My husband and I met here 18 years ago, and got married soon after. It was the happening place to be—and really the only place to go—back in the day,' Hill told me. She went on to reference grade school pool parties, live music and dancing in the bar area, and countless couples' first dates that happened in the building. The lobby at The Trail Hotel. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel 'The first two contracting firms that we spoke to would only work with us if we bulldozed. From a financial standpoint, that would've been cheaper,' Hardy said. 'As we spoke with the community, we were reminded about how important the Holiday Inn was. We decided we didn't want to be the guys who destroyed dreams to facilitate our own, which was to make Bardstown even more of a destination. With The Trail Hotel, we've taken what was broken and brought it back to life to preserve those memories.' It took some time, creativity, extra money (Edmonds and Hardy were glad to welcome Brook Smith as an investment partner and co-owner), and some serious TLC, but they were able to transform the bones of the two-story motel-style building into a hotel that feels like stepping inside a stylish and modern Southern country club. Warm, polished, and welcoming all at once, the co-owners collaborated with Joseph & Joseph Architects for the restoration and redesign. They dreamed up creative amenities, such as a rejuvenation lounge, an indoor golf simulator, and bourbon butlers, which is their twist on a concierge. And once the stage was set, the team hired a team of incredibly talented staff, including a level three sommelier who has worked at three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry and an Emmy Award–nominated chef. The Trail Hotel's debut seems to be a win for locals and visitors alike. "We're filling a major gap by bringing The Trail Hotel to Bardstown," Hardy said. "We are home to 11 top distilleries, but this town has never offered any high-end lodging or food elevation, where visitors felt like they could stay for several days [...] Through revitalizing the hotel and creating the bourbon butler program, we've set up a 'one-stop shop' to guide the guest experience in Bardstown.' Ahead, my review of The Trail Hotel, bourbon country's coolest new boutique hotel. The Trail Hotel offers 87 classic and deluxe guest rooms, as well as eight bourbon-themed 548-square-foot suites. I rested my head in the Prohibition Suite, lined with art that pays tribute to Repeal Day in 1933. Each suite features a spacious living room area complete with a couch, coffee table, bar, and TV, as well as a bedroom boasting a king-size bed. In the bathroom, guests will find cozy branded robes and walk-in showers. The 274-square-foot guest rooms are available with either two queen beds or a king-size bed, and some have either a shared or private patio. The mid century modern interiors are styled in dark hues along with stylish leather and wood accents. Guests enjoy Southern-inspired dishes at Oak & Ember. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel Prior to signing on as The Trail Hotel's executive chef, Marvin Woods wrote three cookbooks, hosted the Emmy-nominated show Home Plate, and helped former first lady Michelle Obama with her Let's Move! campaign. Woods now helms The Trail Hotel's signature 110-seat restaurant, Oak & Ember, and its lobby bar Embers. After I savored a bowl of comforting Kentucky burgoo, Woods stopped by to deliver a beet salad topped with perfectly seared skin-on chicken and a side of cavatappi mac and cheese that made my inner child swoon. Summarizing his creations as Southern fare with a healthy-ish twist, Woods told me that he looked forward to celebrating local ingredients and recipes on his breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The Trail Hotel's speakeasy, Bourbon Vault. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel For the perfect pairing, tap into the powers of the hotel's director of food and beverage, Cole Liegel. A veteran of the three-Michelin-starred Napa Valley institution, The French Laundry, level three sommelier Liegel helps patrons select the best bottle to pair with their meal. (His riesling recommendation for me was spot-on.) From local beers to world-class wines to a large list of Kentucky bourbons, there's something for every taste and palate. Along the way, if you sample and fall in love with The Trail Hotel's signature bourbon, swing by the retail shop, scan the QR code on the label, and it will be shipped to your doorstep. The hotel also has a secret speakeasy, The Bourbon Vault, with its entrance hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling piece of art. The dim, 36-seat lounge offers a quiet respite and another splash of bourbon. The Trail Hotel does not offer in-room dining. Lounge chairs and dining tables on the pool deck. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel The Trail Hotel's rooms form a U-shape around the pool and an oversized hot tub. As I lounged in a comfy beach chair by the pool, I didn't need to go far for refreshments as The Swim Club Bar offers snacks and beverages. Inside, over bites from a charcuterie board, I giggled my way through a few holes on a virtual championship golf course at Par & Pour, The Trail Hotel's high definition golf simulator. Groups of up to eight can book this lounge, which comes with a full food and drink menu, as well as private bar services. Hotel guests enjoying themselves at Par & Pour. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel Within 24 hours of booking a room at The Trail Hotel, a bourbon butler reaches out to customize your experience, securing restaurant reservations, booking VIP distillery tours, tastings (and drivers), and coordinating cultural experiences. Since my bourbon butler, Norma, knew I preferred a diverse day rather than one completely focused on spirits, she created an itinerary that celebrated the area's food, drink, history, and natural beauty. We started with brunch at Mammy's Kitchen & Bar and then hiked through the rolling hills near the Abbey of Gethsemani. After lunch at Five Brothers Kitchen & Bar inside the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, we enjoyed a grain-to-glass course before a tour at My Old Kentucky Home, a historic 200-year-old mansion and plantation. Instead of a traditional spa with massages, facials, and nail treatments, The Trail Hotel has a Rejuvenation Room, a 660-square-foot detox wellness area with a sauna, cryotherapy pod, oxygen bar, and IV therapy lounge. Although I had paced myself and drank plenty of water, I was feeling a bit stiff and sapped after my flights to Kentucky, so I booked my first-ever IV therapy treatment with Jennifer Cambron, who recommended a vitamin B complex boost. I didn't notice a huge difference immediately, but I slept like a dream that night and may have had a little extra pep in my step as I walked laps around the airport the next day. While minors are welcome at The Trail Hotel, due to its proximity to the Bourbon Trail and the adult-focused amenities, I'd recommend it as an ideal getaway for the 21+ crowd. The Trail Hotel fully complies with ADA regulations for service animals, and the step-free entrance to the hotel features automatic doors. Each of the four fully accessible guest rooms and the accessible king suite are equipped with lower sinks and counters, wheelchair-accessible doorways and layouts, roll-in showers with grab bars, and visual and vibrating fire alarms. The Trail Hotel is a 45-minute drive from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and approximately 55 minutes from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport (LEX). The Trail Hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to places located within a three-mile radius of the hotel, including downtown Bardstown, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, and several local distilleries. For an additional fee, you can book a car service from and to the airport. The hotel team can also arrange transportation for experiences curated by the bourbon butlers. Still, a rental car can be handy for day trips to Louisville or Lexington. Nearby, you can explore several golf courses and lush green spaces (don't miss Bernheim Forest and Arboretum). Bardstown is part of Kentucky's Bourbon Trail. The Trail Hotel doesn't have partnerships with major credit cards or reward programs. Currently, the hotel offers a 15 percent discount on stays of three nights or more. Nightly rates at The Trail Hotel start from $229. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
DeMarcus Cousins in wild physical altercation with drink-throwing fans in Puerto Rico
The fight spilled into the crowd and then the drinks started spilling too. Four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins had a physical altercation with fans that resulted in him being doused in beer while playing in Puerto Rico on Monday. Cousins plays for Mets de Guaynabo in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, and things seemingly took a turn for the worse Monday during a road game against Vaqueros de Bayamon at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez when a fan appeared to do a crying gesture toward Cousins. 15 Cousins grabs the fan. @LegionHoops/X 15 The fan who Cousins interacted with before throws his drink on Cousins. @TheHoopCentral/X 15 A drink is thrown at Cousins. @jokicgoatic15/X The former Kings star, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, walked toward the fan and grabbed his private parts, which led to the fan seemingly flipping him the double bird. Cousins then grabbed the fan's arm, leading to one of his teammates coming over to him and a fan in a pink shirt standing up and pointing toward the big man. 15 Cousins grabbing his privates toward the fan. @LegionHoops/X 15 The altercation getting physical. @LegionHoops/X The ex-Kentucky standout shrugged his arms toward the fan in pink, even drawing his arm back in a striking pose, before the first fan got back up and seemed to flip Cousins off again. Cousins ultimately earned the boot and flexed on his way toward the locker rooms when one fan reached over the railing to flip him off in the walkaway toward the bowels of the arena. 15 The fan flips off Cousins. @LegionHoops/X 15 The fan who initially spatted with Cousins rises from his seat. @LegionHoops/X The 34-year-old reached up and made contact with this fan before flipping off the fans in that area. Said fan then threw his clear drink at Cousins, which set off a chain of other fans throwing their drinks toward Cousins. 15 Cousins flexes while leaving the court. @big_business_/X 15 Cousins reaches up to hit this fan. @big_business_/X 15 Cousins tells the fans they're No. 1. @TheHoopCentral/X 15 The fan whom Cousins interacted with before throws his drink at the former NBAer. @big_business_/X 15 Cousins reacts to having drinks thrown at him. @TheHoopCentral/X 15 Something is thrown at Cousins. @jokicgoatic15/X Police officers held Cousins back and actually tackled him to the ground, but he stood up and faced another wave of drinks and objects being thrown his way. Cousins eventually got helped to the back. 15 Cousins attempts to make his way back to the fans. @big_business_/X 15 Cousins is held by officers. @jokicgoatic15/X Mets de Guaynabo fell, 101-92, to a Vaqueros de Bayamon team that features ex-NBA players like JaVale McGee, Theo Pinson and Danilo Gallinari. Cousins tallied 11 points and seven rebounds.
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
ESPN star says trans women have 'unfair advantage' in sports amid Simone Biles-Riley Gaines feud
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith largely agreed with Riley Gaines amid the former NCAA All-American swimmer's feud with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. Smith's remarks on Monday came a few days after Biles launched into a personal attack on Gaines after the former Kentucky Wildcats star criticized a Minnesota softball league for turning off comments on a photo showing a state championship team that had a transgender player on its roster. Gaines used Larry Nassar, the disgraced former doctor who sexually assaulted several Olympic gymnasts, to further her point about men being in women's spaces. While Smith did not agree with Gaines using Nassar, he did agree with the original premise. "With that being said, the points you made to Simone Biles outside of the Larry Nassar comment, that should give us all cause for pause," he said on "The Stephen A. Smith Show." "The reality is that it is a disservice to women in a lot of people's eyes, that men transitioning to women get to compete in women's sports. Lia Thomas was a perfect example. Her highest ranking at the time … highest ranking as a male participant was like 554th in the world. He transitioned into being a woman and was top 10. That speaks for itself. "And the reality is there's an abundance of women out there who have a right to feel the way Riley Gaines feels, Simone Biles. Now whether it's right for me or someone else to say it is a different argument. But in the age that we're living in with Title IX in existence, with us being protective of fairness and equal rights and equal opportunity to women to then piggyback off of that and following up on that years later to allow transgender athletes transitioning from male to female to compete against women doesn't appear to be fair." Smith dismissed any notion that the debate over transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports was more than just on-field competition. "When we lean on this argument about fear, fear – wait a minute. Somebody's not talking about your civil liberties, somebody's not talking about equality, somebody's not talking about those things allowing you to live and let live," he said. "They're talking about competition in sports. And if you allow somebody to compete in swimming it's not gonna stop you from competing in boxing. It's not gonna allow you to stop you from competing in other sports." Smith brought up the talk around Ronda Rousey taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a fight when both athletes were the talk of the sports world. He said that while sports fans know now what would happen in the fight after Rousey lost to Amanda Nunes, it should not have been in the minds of any fan in the first place. "We know that in most instances, even though there are women that could beat some men out there, by and large the elite women don't deserve to be competing against the elite men," he said. "By deserve … I'm talking about based on their gender. You shouldn't be competing against men. I don't want to see a Clarissa Shields in a boxing ring against Terence Crawford. "So when we're talking about it from that premise – it's one thing for ladies look at someone like me and say, 'Who are you?' It's another thing entirely for ladies to be looking at ladies, acting like ladies don't have the right to feel like there's a disadvantage for them if they're going up against a male transitioning to female." Smith went on to say he hoped that more men transitioned to women in order for sports leagues to have a transgender category to make it fair. However, World Aquatics tried to have an open category in 2022 and received no interest in the competition. "If you ask me my preference? I hope a whole bunch of men transitioning to women come out of the woodwork. So we can have men going up against men, women going up against women and transgenders going up against transgenders. That's fair," he said. "But what Riley Gaines is talking about does seem a bit unfair, she has a right to express those thoughts without Simone Biles coming at her that way. Just because she lost? She's talking about an unfair advantage. "And there's no one that could really dispute – if you are a male transitioning to female that there's an unfair advantage. I don't see women transitioning to men trying to compete in men's sports. If it's happened, and I missed it, I apologize. But I missed it, I haven't seen that." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
