Tennessee Bike & Whiskey - Stills & Hills

Scheduled tours

Day 1: Arrive in Shelbyville
Day 2: Shelbyville-Bell Buckle-Nearest Green, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 3: Shelbyville-Wartrace-Cascade Hollow, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 4: Shelbyville-Lynchburg, 25 mi. (40 km) 
Day 5: Lynchburg-Kelso-Lynchburg, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 6: Lynchburg - Lynchburg Distillery and Winery - Lynchburg, 25 - 47 mi. (40 - 75 km)
Day 7: Departure from Lynchburg, 25 mi. (40 km)

The route may be offered in the opposite direction depending on the start day to take full advantage of the operating hours of the distilleries and restaurants.

Day 1: Arrive in Shelbyville
You begin your tour 50 miles southeast of Nashville in historic Shelbyville, nicknamed "The Walking Horse Capital of the World" and host to the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.  Enjoy dinner on your own in town. 

Lodging: Cinnamon Ridge B&B, a two-story colonial-style house situated in the heart of Tennessee horse country

Day 2: Shelbyville - Bell Buckle - Nearest Green Distillery - Shelbyville, 35 mi. (56 km)
Enjoy a loop ride from Shelbyville to bucolic Bell Buckle, a little town with big charm. With only 450 inhabitants, you will naturally slow down here and soak up the southern way of life. After browsing the eclectic shops featuring antiques, quilts, and handmade crafts, you can enjoy a meal at the historic Bell Buckle Cafe, rated one of the top ten restaurants to visit in the state of Tennessee by “Only In Your State”, one of the largest travel publications on the internet.  Next stop, The Nearest Green Distillery (tours on weekends only). The true history of the origin of Tennessee whiskey had been lost in time for years with credit for its development given to Jasper Newton, better known as Jack Daniel. Truth is, Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first known African-American master distiller, was the genius behind the specialized process of sugar maple charcoal filtering that gave this whiskey its unique smoothness. He mentored young Jasper and even worked as the head distiller in the young entrepreneur's distillery, the Jack Daniel's Distillery, the first registered distillery in the US. You will hear all about this incredible story at  Nearest Green whose website declares "No matter where you turn on our property, we are either unveiling history-making moments of the past or history being made in the present." If you’re lucky, you may meet Victoria Eady Butler, Nearest Green’s great-great-granddaughter and the first female African-American master blender in history.

Lodging: Cinnamon Ridge B&B

Day 3: Shelbyville - Wartrace - Cascade Hollow - Shelbyville, 35 mi. (56 km)
Today you venture through Cascade Hollow towards the home of George Dickel Whiskey, the other Tennessee whisky brand, at the Cascade Hollow Distillery. Note that the distillery spells its product 'whisky' rather than 'whiskey'. Allegedly the spelling stems from George Dickel’s conviction that his whisky can compete with the best Scotch. You can decide this for yourself! After a tour and tasting, you can enjoy a picnic lunch by the creek before making your way on back roads to Shelbyville. You will also pass through Wartrace, home to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum. 

 Lodging: Cinnamon Ridge B&B

Day 4: Shelbyville - Lynchburg, 25 mi. (40 km) 
Your route leads through the Tennessee highlands to Lynchburg, home to the famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery. First, you enjoy a true southern meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant which has been cooking up mouth-watering Southern dishes for as long as whiskey has been made in Lynchburg. Southern Fried Chicken and seasoned Greens anyone?  Next on the agenda is a distillery tour and tasting at Jack Daniel's Distillery. Overnight accommodations are one mile from downtown, where you can explore shops, a winery, and restaurants on your own. 

Lodging: Tolley House B&B, a Greek Revival home and one of historic Lynchburg’s oldest antebellum homes

Day 5: Lynchburg-Kelso-Lynchburg, 37 mi. (59 km)
Ride the rolling back-hills deep into Tennessee farm country to Prichard's Distillery, which opened in an old schoolhouse in Kelso in 1997 and was the first new legal distillery to open in the state since the repeal of Prohibition. You can also enjoy rums that come from American molasses sourced from Louisiana as well as a variety of liqueurs.

Recommended: Taste Prichard's Double Chocolate Flavored Whiskey, which blends bourbon with artisan chocolate, or Lincoln County Lightning, which was rated by Southern Living as the "#2 Legal Moonshine in the U.S."

Lodging: Tolley House B&B

Day 6: Lynchburg Loop - Lynchburg Distillery and Winery, 25 - 47 mi. (40 - 75 km)
Opt for a loop ride of your choice ranging from 20-47 miles. Experience one or two distilleries. The longer-range will take you to Branch Water Distillery in Winchester, TN. The shorter loop will keep you close to Lynchburg to visit the local Lynchburg Distillery and Winery, not affiliated with Jack Daniel's. Taste moonshine, wine, vodka, rum, and whiskey too at the Lynchburg Winery and Distillery in downtown Lynchburg!

Lodging: Tolley House B&B

Day 7: Departure from Lynchburg, 25 mi. (40 km)
Transfer or ride back to Shelbyville. 

Alternate Daily Program for Private Tours*

*Private tours can request the itinerary below or the itinerary for set departures.

Day 1: Shelbyville
Day 2: Shelbyville - Lynchburg, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Lynchburg-Kelso-Mulberry, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Mulberry - Tullahoma, 30 mi. (48 km) 
Day 5: Tullahoma - Bell Buckle, 23 mi. (37 km) 
Day 6: Bell Buckle - Shelbyville, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 7: Departure from Shelbyville 

Day 1: Shelbyville
You begin your tour 50 miles southeast of Nashville in historic Shelbyville, nicknamed "The Walking Horse Capital of the World" and host to the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.  Enjoy dinner on your own in town. 

Lodging: Cinnamon Ridge B&B, a two-story colonial-style house situated in the heart of Tennessee horse country

Day 2: Shelbyville - Lynchburg, 25 mi. (40 km)
Pedal your way through the Tennessee highlands towards Lynchburg, home to the famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Enjoy a true southern meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s and a distillery tour. Overnight accommodations are one mile from downtown, where you can explore shops, a winery, and restaurants on your own. 

Lodging: Tolley House B&B, a Greek Revival home and one of historic Lynchburg’s oldest antebellum homes

Day 3: Lynchburg - Kelso - Mulberry, 25 mi. (40 km)
Ride through rolling back hills roads into deep Tennessee farm country to Prichard's Distillery, which opened in an old schoolhouse in Kelso in 1997 and was the first new legal distillery to open in the state since the repeal of Prohibition. You can also enjoy rums that come from American molasses sourced from Louisiana as well as a variety of liqueurs. 

Tip 1: Taste Prichard's Double Chocolate Flavored Whiskey, which blends bourbon with artisan chocolate, or Lincoln County Lightning, which was rated by Southern Living as the "#2 Legal Moonshine in the U.S."

Lodging: Mulberry Lavender Farm and B&B, a historic 1860s farmhouse formerly owned by Wiley Daniel, a Civil War hero, and brother of Jack. It’s a working farm where horses and sheep outnumber people. The ultimate in farm-to-table dining–and the table’s on the farm!

 Tip 2: Spend an extra night on the farm! Ride, read, or count sheep (literally) before napping.

Day 4: Mulberry - Tullahoma, 30 mi. (48 km) 
Ride the open road through rolling hills past Tims Ford Lake into Tullahoma, a small but bustling town that has become a world leader in flight and engineering research. Enjoy coffee shops, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and numerous lakes and state natural areas.

Lodging: Grand Lux Inn, a fully-remodeled 1905 home. The inn’s magnificent wrap-around porch is great for watching life in the downtown Historic District of Tullahoma.

Day 5: Tullahoma - Bell Buckle, 23 mi. (37 km) 
Today you venture through Cascade Hollow towards the home of George Dickel Whiskey, the other Tennessee whisky brand, at the Cascade Hollow Distillery. Note that the distillery spells its product 'whisky' rather than 'whiskey'. Allegedly the spelling stems from George Dickel’s conviction that his whisky can compete with the best Scotch. You can decide this for yourself! After a tour and tasting, you can enjoy a picnic lunch by the creek before making your way on back roads to bucolic Bell Buckle, a little town with big charm. With only 450 inhabitants, you will naturally slow down here and soak up the southern way of life. After browsing the eclectic shops featuring antiques, quilts, and handmade crafts, you can enjoy a meal at the historic Bell Buckle Cafe, rated one of the top ten restaurants to visit in the state of Tennessee by “Only In Your State”, one of the largest travel publications on the internet.

You’ll also pass through Wartrace, home to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum.  

Lodging: Seasons B&B, just steps from the main square, is owned and operated by “sisters and best friends” Anita Wade and Marie Pope, who promise to make you feel like family, too.

Day 6: Bell Buckle - Shelbyville, 22 mi. (35 km) 
On your final day of riding, you’ll visit Nearest Green Distillery (tours on weekends only). The true history of the origin of Tennessee whiskey had been lost in time for years with credit for its development given to Jasper Newton, better known as Jack Daniel. Truth is, Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first known African-American master distiller, was the genius behind the specialized process of sugar maple charcoal filtering that gave this whiskey its unique smoothness. He mentored young Jasper and even worked as the head distiller in the young entrepreneur's distillery, the Jack Daniel's Distillery, the first registered distillery in the US. You will hear all about this incredible story at  Nearest Green whose website declares "No matter where you turn on our property, we are either unveiling history-making moments of the past or history being made in the present." If you’re lucky, you may meet Victoria Eady Butler, Nearest Green’s great-great-granddaughter and the first female African-American master blender in history. 

After a picnic lunch, you make your way back into Shelbyville to complete your Tennessee Still and Hills circuit. 

Lodging: Cinnamon Ridge B&B

Day 7: Departure from Shelbyville

The route may be offered in the opposite direction depending on the start day to ensure the most open distilleries and restaurants.

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There are four distinct seasons in Tennessee and overall the climate is considered moderate. Spring is the season for wildflowers and dogwoods, and summer is the season for honeysuckles (and humidity). Autumn is beautiful and colorful. Tennessee’s trees put on a stunning display every fall. Most precipitation occurs in winter and early spring. High summer can be quite warm and humid so keep this in mind when planning your tour date. Please check local conditions prior to your arrival. The average high/low temperatures in ° Fahrenheit are June, 87/63°, August, 89/65°, September 85/58°, October, 73/45°, and November 60/35°.

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Trek Verve Disc

• Lightweight aluminum frame
• 24-speed Shimano Altus gearing
• Tektro mechanical disc brakes
• Bontrager Boulevard saddle
• 700x45c Bontrager tires
• Flat handlebars

Accessories

Electric Bike

Rideal Ariel Electric Bike

• Aluminum frame
• Shimano 6-Speed drivetrain
• Tektro Aries caliper brakes
• 27.5 x 1.95 anti-puncture tires
• 48V battery
• 750W geared hub motor
• Cadence sensing, crank mounted pedal assist