Preservation Kentucky will host the second annual “Preservation Pedal: A Bike Tour of historic Danville, Boyle and Mercer counties” July 7. This year, the event will feature four historic bicycle tour options.
The challenging 60-mile ride will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the 42- and 24-mile rides will start at 8:45 a.m. A slower tour of downtown Danville will begin at 10 a.m. and is intended for novice and occasional riders. Advance registration is requested and is available online at www.preservationpedal.org.
Advance registration for this event is $35 or $40 and covers snacks, including local granola made by Sweetgrass, drinks, a Preservation Pedal T-shirt, lunch and mechanical support.
Day of registration is available for $45/$50 with the same benefits. Cruiser bicycles and helmets will be available for rent through Frankfort’s Folkbike ReCyclery at Constitution Square State Park that morning.
The Preservation Pedal is held yearly in a different Kentucky community to highlight historic downtowns and rural buildings. The first Preservation Pedal in Springfield and Washington County received honorable mention for innovative programming by the National Trust for Historic Preservation at its national conference in Buffalo, N.Y.
The goal of the pedal event is to support local businesses and raise awareness of Preservation Kentucky, local preservation efforts, bike touring and bike-friendly amenities in small-town Kentucky.
All proceeds will go to assist Preservation Kentucky in furthering its mission of historic preservation, education and advocacy.
“We are very excited about this event and so pleased to be offering it a second time in Danville, Boyle and Mercer counties,” said Rachel Kennedy, executive director of Preservation Kentucky. “Participants on the downtown tour will have the opportunity to ride a slow and easy ride through Danville and visit nearby Centre College (as well as) beautiful historic neighborhoods, such as St. Mildred’s Court historic district. The bike tourists riding the 60-, 42-, and 24-mile routes will see the Mud Meeting House, a very early pioneer Dutch reformed church; Perryville Battlefield; Merchant’s Row in Perryville; and Forkland School, which is now a thriving community center. All levels of cyclists are welcome on the six-mile downtown tour, while the challenging 40- and 60- mile tours offer interest for the experienced cyclist.
“This area is among the most beautiful regions in the Bluegrass. Danville, Boyle and Mercer counties understand preservation. They are working to make sure their small towns are vibrant, using their heritage as the basis.”
Danville Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jennifer Kirchner agreed.
“Danville is thrilled to be involved with Preservation Pedal this year. We take great pride in preserving our rich, historic past and honoring our culture, and we are excited to welcome the riders for a wonderful day of exploring our fine city, experiencing our robust heritage and taking in our scenic sites,” Kirchner said.
Mercer County Judge-Executive Milward Dedman concurred about the importance of heritage to the county’s future.
“We are proud to have Mercer County included on this year’s Preservation Pedal route. As the first settlement in Kentucky, Mercer County is rich in history. We consider protecting our historic sites to be vital to our future, and invite you to enjoy our history and scenic vistas as you travel through our community.”
