Seeking a unique ride and a trail like no other? The allure of the Cowboy Trail across central Nebraska awaits you.

Join us for our third Cowboy Trail ride from June 9-14, 2027. If the bliss of the American prairies moves you and cycling in solitude for days on end appeals to you, then this is your type of ride!

      The ride highlights five riding days and nearly 200 miles, heading east and ends in Norfolk. Along the way we have found cool local museums, coffee shops, restaurants, and a historic grain mill, which we want to show you! Stunning and beyond expectations is how past riders have boasted about the Pampered Pedalers Cowboy Tour, giddy up!

     The Cowboy Trail boasts two stunning former rail bridges towering over 140 feet in both Valentine and Long Pine.  The terrain has so much to offer, you will pedal through Sand Hills to cattle ranches to agriculture fields to just tranquil natural prairie. Along the trail you will see few to no other people, this Cowboy is vast and serene.

       The Cowboy Trail lives up to its name, it is a fully dedicated trail on “soft” crushed limestone and can be challenging. Expect to average around ten miles per hour for the entire trail, this is some hard pedaling and much of the trail is devoid of shade. Once you are in the saddle on this surface your psyche will soon adapt to the ebb and flow.

      Experience Nebraska at its finest and a perfect glimpse into rural America! Nebraska folks are some of the kindest and most hospitable. Concerning distance and overnight accommodations, this trip does entail some shuttling on some days pre and\or post ride, we have adapted a route however to best minimize windshield time while offering the best quality in accommodations.

The tour assembles in Norfolk with rider check-in from 12:00–1:30 PM, giving everyone time to hand over luggage, load bikes and car parking.  You’ll be shuttled west to Valentine for the kick off of the ride.

            Rider Check-In 12:00–1:30 PM

            Shuttle West 1:30–5:00 PM

            Kick off Dinner 6:30 PM

            Overnight: Valentine, NE

On Day 1, riders will pedal 36 miles from the host hotel in Valentine to Johnstown, easing into the rhythm of the trail. After the ride, a shuttle will transport the group from Johnstown to Ainsworth (11 miles) to the evening overnight accommodations.

            36 Miles

            Overnight: Ainsworth, NE

Day 2 features a 39-mile ride from Johnstown to the like no other Newport Pool Hall, continuing through scenic stretches of the Cowboy Trail. Riders will take a morning shuttle from Ainsworth back to Johnstown (11 miles) to begin your day 2 ride. In the afternoon, a shuttle will return the group from Newport back to Ainsworth (27 miles), where they will spend the night.

            39 Miles

            Overnight: Ainsworth, NE

A morning shuttle will take riders from Ainsworth to Newport (27 miles) before the day’s ride begins.  On day 3, the group will cycle 40 miles from the Newport Pool Hall and end at the overnight accommodation in O’Neill.

            40 Miles

            Overnight: O'Neill, NE

The forth riding day is a 41 mile pedal from the host hotel in O’Neill and ends at the Neligh Mill State Historic Site. After a tour of the Neligh Mill, riders will take a shuttle east to Norfolk (35 miles) for the evening overnight and final group meal.

            41 Miles

            Overnight: Norfolk, NE

The morning shuttle will bring the group from Norfolk back to Neligh (35 miles) for the final stretch.  On the fifth and final riding day riders will pedal 35 miles from Neligh to the eastern origin of the Cowboy Trail in Norfolk. The tour officially ends at the Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.

            35 Miles

            Neligh to Norfolk

            End of Tour