Feeling the burn before BBQ: Leisurely 24-mile bike ride through Harrodsburg comes back for BBQ weekend 

Published 3:40 pm Thursday, September 7, 2017

The Smokin’ Butt Bike Ride hits Danville for its fifth year, still coinciding with the BBQ Festival weekend. It’s a long one, says City Commissioner Rick Serres, who leads up the pack — but every year, a fun, large group turns out to burn their butts for the 24-mile ride through Harrodsburg and back.
In years past, the ride has brought in around 100 to participate. “We enjoy each others’ company as we bypass the Old Mudd Meeting House, Old Fort Harrod, the original site of Transylvania University and Constitution Square.
Participants will meet 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the City Hall Parking lot, near Danville Bike & Footwear. The shop will be open for last-minute, minor tune-ups.
“This is definitely not a race,” Serres says, and although it’s 24-miles long, he always refers to it as a leisurely ride due to the historic, beautiful scenery and no pressure to complete it on a certain timeframe.
From City Hall, the group will head out West Main at the same time, quite a scene to take in year after year, Serres says. And they are lucky to have the Danville Fire Department pull out an engine to block off the road in order for the large group to be able to depart together.
As always, for safety, cyclists will use the traffic light intersections, but are welcome to go an older route if they prefer. The group will head out on Bluegrass Pike, working their way back to Danville onto Third Street. A vehicle always accompanies the group, complete with an air pump and other cyclists’ precautions.
Serres, an accomplished cyclist, always rides in with the last person. It’s important that they feel supported throughout the entire race, he says. He usually has his friends, also accomplished riders, who lead the group. Two water stops are on the route, as well.
“I love it when people dress the part,” Serres says, referring to being on point with the BBQ Festival. Serres always wears bright pink pig ears during the race.
Registration is being taken now through Saturday for $30 per rider, and includes an official Kentucky BBQ Fest Smokin’ Butt shirt made by Sport Tek and printed at The 10th Planet.
For questions or to register (assuring your shirt size) call or stop in at Danville Bike & Footwear or register on the store’s website at dbfky.com, or call Serres at (859) 533-0862.

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