20 Mile Route
Bike from bridge to bridge & back
Begin and end at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, for this 20-mile cycling trip that takes you over the Ohio River twice! The scenic route follows the mighty Ohio along both sides. You’ll cycle along a popular cycling route for local riders, and it’s part of the route for several triathlons including Ironman Louisville. Cycle East along River Road heading out of town towards the East End Bridge.
Along the way, keep an eye out for Heigold House façade that indicates the location where a thriving 1850s neighborhood called the Point was been located in Louisville. The Point neighborhood had been populated by French families that had moved to the area from New Orleans. The façade is the only remaining element that survived the 1937 flood that demolished the neighborhood. These days, folks stop by the façade for photo opportunities during rides.
Also, be on the lookout for Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue, the host location of the 2013 UCI World Cyclocross Championships. From local short-track mountain bike races to race teams practicing, you’ll see off-road cyclists enjoying this park all the time. Further down River Road, keep your eyes peeled for the oldest ornamental water tower in the world. The Louisville Water Tower and pumping station are on the National Register of Historic Places. You can stop in for a tour of the WaterWorks Museum to see the water pumps and learn how Louisville has earned the moniker of “Best Tasting Water” in the nation!
When you arrive at the East End bridge, follow the multi-use path that is located alongside the bridge. After crossing the bridge, journey downhill towards the river to the town of Utica, Indiana. This quaint river town blends yesterday and the future. You won’t have to stop for red lights, but keep an eye out and stop at the stop signs.
As you leave Utica, you’ll make your way back towards Jeffersonville, IN passing the Howard Steamboat Museum and the former Jeffboat Shipyard, founded by James Howard in 1834 as Howard Shipyards and grew to become Jeffboat-- that was the largest inland shipbuilder in the U.S. As you enter Jeffersonville, you’ll still be riding along the river taking in the best view of downtown Louisville as you approach the Big Four Bridge to head back into Louisville.
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