2021 Highlights

• Only 260 miles!
  
• Platte Valley Brewing Co.
  
• Thunderhead Brewing Co.
• Great River Road Archway Monument
• Harlan County Lake
• Willa Cather Foundation
• Steeple Brewing Co
• Wave Pizza Co.
• Hastings Museum
• National Ammunition Depot
• Bigfoot Museum
• Pacha Soap Co.
• Saturday ride options 31, 60, 104 miles
• First Street Brewing Co.
• Hot showers and pampering by Pork Belly Ventures 
• UNL Premium Tent Service
• Live music
• Newcomer’s Reception for Rookie Riders​
• Free yoga sessions, Wednesday-Saturday afternoons

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​June 16-20, 2021

KEARNEY | ALMA | RED CLOUD | HASTINGS

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NIGHT BEFORE: Kearney, Nebraska

TUES, JUNE 15: Our 33nd anniversary bicycle adventure starts and ends in Kearney, Nebraska, home of the great Sandhill Crane migration, scenic trails and the Great River Road Archway Monument.  Kearney is only two (2) hours from Lincoln, all on I-80, which makes travel ultra convenient. Come early and check out the many attractions in Kearney.
 
Platte Valley Brewery
Thunderhead Brewing Co.
Cottonmill Lake
Yanney Heritage Park
Hike-Bike Trail Bridge & Fort Kearny State Historical Park
Museum of Nebraska Art
Nebraska Firefighters Museum
G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture
Trails & Rails Museum
Fort Kearney Museum
Classic Car Collection
 
Or, just come early and golf at the Meadowlark Hills Golf Course.

Indoor and tent camping, along with long-term parking, will be available at Kearney High School, our starting point on Wednesday morning.

Day 1: Kearney to Alma - 59 miles

WED, JUNE 16: After check-in, a kickoff breakfast and a brief gathering, we’ll roll out to start our 5-day adventure with a 59-mile leisurely ride to a warm welcome in Alma, pop. 1,130 and the county seat of Harlan County. We are indoor camping at the High School and outdoor camping at the City Park.  Alma offers the quaintness of a small town but the amenities of a much larger one, including Harlan County Lake which is Nebraska's second-largest lake. There's also the Pheasant Ride Hiking/Biking Trail, bird watching, nature hikes, boating and tubing below the dam. If that's not enough, there's also bowling, golf, the city's swimming pool or the Parrot Theater. So much to see and do---and don’t miss your coffee or dessert at the Dragonfly Coffee House.

Riders new to multi-day cycling or to TDN can join us at the Newcomer's Reception. We'll answer any questions beginning riders may have after they've ridden their first day, at Alma City Park at 7 p.m.

Day 2: Alma to Red Cloud - 55 miles

THURS, JUNE 17: We'll ride through beautiful and scenic Franklin and Webster Counties to Red Cloud, home of internationally known author, Willa Cather. 

There is an optional FREE shuttle bus that will take you to the mid-point, so you only have to ride 37 miles! Shuttle bus leaves at 7a and 8:30a and is first-come, first-serve.
 
Waiting for you in Red Cloud will be all things Willa Cather. You will find the Willa Cather Foundation, which owns and operates the National Willa Cather Center, Red Cloud Opera House, Willa Cather Memorial Prairie, and the nation’s largest collection of nationally-designated historic sites dedicated to an American author. This quaint main street will impress with its ongoing development and future growth.

Our overnight will be at Red Cloud Elementary School, Red Cloud Community Center and adjacent city park.
 
We're excited to also experience On The Brix, a perfect place to unwind and imbibe wine, craft beer and classic cocktails.

Day 3: Red Cloud to Hastings - 52 miles

FRI, JUNE 18: We ride north and experience some Nebraska landscape that inspired Willa Cather on our way to Hastings, where Kool-Aid was invented in 1927.

Hastings will host us at the Hastings Middle School and the beautiful 24-acre Chautauqua Park, conveniently located next to the Hastings Aquacourt Pool, where you can experience the lazy river, wave pool, water slides, climbing walls and key log roll. 

Get your weekend started by heading to the heart of downtown Hastings. Friday night festivities include a pizza and beer party at Steeple Brewing Company and Wave Pizza. The best pizza in central Nebraska joins the cozy community taproom serving local craft beer, tank-to-table and down home company, conversation and craft beer!

Day 4: Option Day - 31, 60, 104 miles

SAT, JUNE 19: Today is TDN Option Day. You can rest or ride, but you definitely want to check out the best of Hastings.
 
Take off and explore on your bike the surrounding area with loops of 31 miles, 60 miles, 104 miles or the gravel loop. You can also jump on the Pioneer Spirit Trail and explore the local parks and Hastings Lake.
 
Or lean into the community and check out the many attractions. The Hastings Museum is a stellar destination with exhibits, planetarium and theater. The history of Hastings also includes the Naval Ammunition Depot. This hidden gem will delight Nebraska history buffs. And, admire all the Bigfoot exhibits at the Bigfoot Museum. This collection of artifacts will invite you to learn about Sasquatch.

Head downtown where the boutique shops, restaurants, coffee shops will delight. Check out Pacha Soap Co. and learn how they are making a difference in the world.
 
The TDN Saturday Night Festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. This year’s reception, banquet and awards ceremony will be at First Street Brewing Co. which is hosting a street party featuring three local food trucks and live music featuring The Jack Rodenband. The food truck entrée is hosted by TDN and included as part of your registration.

A special shout out to Bruce and Alisa Sandahl of Hastings, who are on the TDN local organizing committee, helping plan the most scenic and safe routes!

Day 5: Hastings to Kearney - 53 miles

SUN, JUNE 20: Leave Hastings and head west. Say your goodbyes and head for home! Showers available at the high school. We will email you a survey to vote for your favorite rest stop and overnight town.

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"Tour de Nebraska is like a family reunion on wheels...."