The allure of the Cowboy Trail across central Nebraska awaits you, join us for our second Cowboy Trail ride from May 31 to June 6, 2026.  The 2025 inaugural spin was a huge success! 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 will begin in Valentine and over five riding days and nearly 200 miles, heading east, the ride will end in Norfolk (the home of Johnny Carson). 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, we call this hard pedaling. Also note that parts of trail are devoid of shade. Once you are in the saddle on this surface your psyche will soon adapt to the ebb and flow. As with all Rail-Trail rides, take caution as the surface can give way and always take caution when crossing the rural ranch roads. You are never far from BPP support if needed, this old Rail-Trail has services every ten miles or so, you will not lack services or access.

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.

Rider Check-In, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Rider Meeting & Vineyard Tour,  5:00 PM
Overnight: Valentine, NE

36 Miles
Pedal from the host hotel in Valentine to Johnstown
 

PM Shuttle from Johnstown to Ainsworth (11 miles)

Overnight:  Ainsworth, NE

39 Miles

Pedal from Johnstown to Newport Pool Hall

AM Shuttle from Ainsworth to Johnstown (11 miles)

PM Shuttle from Newport to Ainsworth (27 miles)

Overnight: Ainsworth, NE

39 Miles

Pedal from Newport Pool Hall to host hotel in O’Neill

AM Shuttle from Ainsworth to Newport Pool Hall  (27 miles)

Overnight: O’Neill, NE

41 Miles
Pedal from the host hotel in O’Neill to the Neligh Mill State Historic Sight

PM Shuttle from Neligh back to O’Neill (40 miles)

Overnight: O’Neill, NE

35 Miles

Pedal from the Neligh Mill State Historic Sight to the official trailhead of the Cowboy Trail in Norfolk

AM Shuttle from O’Neill to Neligh (40 miles)

PM Shuttle from Norfolk to O’Neill (76 miles)

Overnight: O’Neill, NE

We will take our final group breakfast in O’Neill then you will be shuttled back to Valentine for the official end of the tour.  The drive distance is 111 miles and expect to be in Valentine before 11am.