Cowboy Trail
NEBRASKA
- Have a Rail Trail to yourself over 5 riding days
- Visit Neligh and see one of the oldest mills on the Great Plains
- Trailblaze in its truest sense
- Pedal a part of the USA few others have seen, nor imagined
- All Meals Included
Check Out Our Tour Brochure
Tour Video
Tour Map
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, a vinyl laden coffee shop, restaurants, Pedalers Cowboy Tour, giddyupich we want to show you! Stunning and beyond expectations is how past riders have boasted about the Pampered Pedalers Cowboy Tour, giddyup!
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 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 pedalling and prepare to embrace prairie winds. 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 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 accommodations.
Logistics-Travel
Shall you drive to the ride, it’s recommended to arrive in Norfolk early on day 0 – Wed, June 9th, aiming for a noon rendevous for bike\luggage handover and anticipate shuttles to depart by 1.30pm. The ride west to Valentine is approximately 3.5 hours, upon arrival we’ll check you in and then head to dinner.
The ride ends in Norfolk on day 5, Monday, June 14th at approximately noon. The night of the final riding day accommodation is not included with this package, most riders like to get a few hours of road time in on the last day.
Over the week we will stay in four hotels over five day of riding. The first night will be in Valentine, then we will do a two-night stay in Ainsworth then on to O’Neill (the Irish capital of Nebraska) for a night, then the final night will be in Norfolk.
Please be sure to read all further information in the “Important Info’ tab.
The Myths
There are two myths about the Cowboy Trail that we try to dispel. First, the myth of the goat head thorns and how riding this trail without punctures is impossible. We’ve completed the entire trail in years 2024, 2025, & 2026 with no reported thorn punctures while pedaling the Cowboy Trail. Bounds of credit are due to the Nebraska Parks and Recreation Department whom are proactive in campaigns to mitigate the vines and spraying to rid the trail of the thorns.
Another false claim is that the trail is not continuous. For the record, the Cowboy Trail is a continuous Rail Trail for 190 miles as of 2025, it is to be extended in the near future, and Nebraska spans the soon to be Great American Trail.
Day 0 - Norfolk & Valentine, NE
- 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 park their cars. You’ll be shuttled west to Valentine for the kickoff of the ride.
Day 1 - Valentine to Johnstown
- On Day 1, we 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 everyone from Johnstown to Ainsworth (11 miles) to the evening’s overnight accommodations.
Day 2 - Johnstown to Newport
- 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), for our second overnight in Ainsworth.
Day 3 - Newport to O'Neill
- A morning shuttle takes everyone from Ainsworth to Newport (27 miles) to start the day's 40-mile ride from the Newport Pool Hall finishing at the overnight accommodation in O’Neill.
Day 4 - O'Neill to Neligh
- The fourth 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 final overnight accommodation and group meal.
Day 5 - Neligh to Norfolk
- The morning shuttle brings us from Norfolk back to Neligh (35 miles) for the final stretch. On the fifth and final riding day we pedal 35 miles from Neligh to the eastern terminus of the Cowboy Trail in Norfolk. The tour wraps up at the Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.
All evening meals are included in the tour package, including Day 0 in Valentine. We dine out every night at the best of local restaurants on this tour.
Throughout the riding days the tour will provide hydration and nourishment SAGs at strategic points along the trails, furthermore most towns have community parks, restaurants and filing stations. There is so much stuff to take in and absorb along the way. Stopping and supporting our rural communities helps sustain small businesses. Bring your camera and take in some bird life or grab a lunch in town.
There is frequent shuttling on this ride, on most riding days we try to cap the shuttles to about a half hour maximum. As its Pampering, your bikes will be properly attended to and properly loaded throughout the week.
In early-June the weather gets warmer and the rains are normally past, it should ideally be warm but not unbearable.
It is Nebraska and wind is pretty much a guarantee year around and during any time of the day as well.
We wish we could guarantee a week of puncture free riding.
We recommend tires with a minimum width of 35mm and ideally puncture resistant tires and tubes. Past riders who had larger size tires advocate for them. Like on all BPP rides you need to be prepared to fix your own flat shall you encounter any while on the trail, extra tubes and good tools are highly recommended.
In short the Cowboy Trail is in a very rural part of the USA, that being said airports are accessible but not necessarily close.
Rapid City, South Dakota is the closest airport to the western part of the trail in Valentine, Nebraska.
Sioux City, Iowa is the closest airport to the eastern part of the trail in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Omaha, Nebraska is about 120 miles from Norfolk, Nebraska, offering the most varied commercial travel options.
Our recommended outfitter for bike rentals is a local shop in Norfolk, NE. Their fleet changes often, it is advised to call the shop if you are considering renting.
Norfork Bike, 321 W Norfolk Ave Suite 300, Norfolk, NE 68701
402-371-3325
BPP has a limited number of bikes for rent at affordable rates. Quantity is limited and needs to be requested well in advance. These are not new bikes; however, they are well maintained and suitable for this ride.
Free long-term parking is included onsite at the Day 4 accommodation in Norfolk, NE.
You can also park your car free of charge at the Day 0 accommodation in the west in Valentine, NE. A return shuttle west to Valentine is not included in the tour fee. Please reach out to us if you are considering parking at the western terminus of the ride to discuss options
Not road bikes with skinny tires!
Recommended bike types include: gravel, hybrid, touring or Ebike.
Again, we recommend tires with a minimum width of 35mm and ideally puncture resistant tires and tubes.
The trail surface is crushed limestone which is typically softer than other Rail Trails. Bridge crossings are decked wood.
Riders are encouraged to always be aware that the surface can get soft and loose; furthermore always take caution when crossing the rural ranch roads. You are never far from BPP support if needed, this old Rail Trail has stations every ten miles and you will not lack services or access.
Each rider can bring two pieces of baggage, with each piece not exceeding 30 pounds. Your bags will be taken care of in the morning by our staff, who will move them to your next lodging location on changing days. Your bags will be dropped directly to your room. That’s why PAMPERED is the name of the game.
We welcome everyone. A non-rider will be part of every aspect of the tour except the riding if they so choose. This tour offers a lot in the way of local sites and tours. If you have a non-rider who is considering joining you for the tour, please reach out to discuss arrangements and logistics.
No problem. If you feel you cannot finish the day’s ride, our staff will assist you and your bike to get you to the end point.
Alternatively, each evening before the next day’s ride we offered shortened mileage variants where we will move you forward and this way everyone ends at the same point.
We have been told that we are the model company when it comes to care around bike packing. We use rubber pads for protection of your frame, pedals and rear derailleur, plus we cover bikes with blankets anytime we handle and move your bike. Bikes are typically stored in a secure enclosed truck overnight, otherwise if you need your bike offloaded for charging, or if you simply want to keep it in your room overnight, we pre-position the load to conveniently give you access to your bike.
Please note that there is an expiration date associated with the early bird discount code. Pricing when redeeming a discount code is honored by the date your registration and deposit are received. Mail-in registrations paid in full must be postmarked by the stated discount code expiration date to qualify.
Note: To pass savings onto riders, we have moved to Double pricing base rates; for Triple & Quad rates please reach out to us by email. (pamperedpedalers@gmail.com)
EARLY BIRD PRICING
Register early and save! Take advantage of the discounted rate!
Need a Bike Rental?
Check availability & daily pricing
Bubba’s PAMPERED Pedalers offers a limited number of rental bikes, primarily hybrids with a few gravel bikes; e-bikes are not available at this time. Please click the inventory link to view current options and contact us in advance so we can help determine whether a suitable bike is available. Our rental bikes are well-maintained and affordably priced, though they may not be new. Please note that bikes typically cannot be exchanged after you arrive for the ride.
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, a vinyl laden coffee shop, restaurants, Pedalers Cowboy Tour, giddyupich we want to show you! Stunning and beyond expectations is how past riders have boasted about the Pampered Pedalers Cowboy Tour, giddyup!
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 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 pedalling and prepare to embrace prairie winds. 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 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 accommodations.
Logistics-Travel
Shall you drive to the ride, it’s recommended to arrive in Norfolk early on day 0 – Wed, June 9th, aiming for a noon rendevous for bike\luggage handover and anticipate shuttles to depart by 1.30pm. The ride west to Valentine is approximately 3.5 hours, upon arrival we’ll check you in and then head to dinner.
The ride ends in Norfolk on day 5, Monday, June 14th at approximately noon. The night of the final riding day accommodation is not included with this package, most riders like to get a few hours of road time in on the last day.
Over the week we will stay in four hotels over five day of riding. The first night will be in Valentine, then we will do a two-night stay in Ainsworth then on to O’Neill (the Irish capital of Nebraska) for a night, then the final night will be in Norfolk.
Please be sure to read all further information in the “Important Info’ tab.
The Myths
There are two myths about the Cowboy Trail that we try to dispel. First, the myth of the goat head thorns and how riding this trail without punctures is impossible. We’ve completed the entire trail in years 2024, 2025, & 2026 with no reported thorn punctures while pedaling the Cowboy Trail. Bounds of credit are due to the Nebraska Parks and Recreation Department whom are proactive in campaigns to mitigate the vines and spraying to rid the trail of the thorns.
Another false claim is that the trail is not continuous. For the record, the Cowboy Trail is a continuous Rail Trail for 190 miles as of 2025, it is to be extended in the near future, and Nebraska spans the soon to be Great American Trail.
Day 0 - Norfolk & Valentine, NE
- 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 park their cars. You’ll be shuttled west to Valentine for the kickoff of the ride.
Day 1 - Valentine to Johnstown
- On Day 1, we 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 everyone from Johnstown to Ainsworth (11 miles) to the evening’s overnight accommodations.
Day 2 - Johnstown to Newport
- 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), for our second overnight in Ainsworth.
Day 3 - Newport to O'Neill
- A morning shuttle takes everyone from Ainsworth to Newport (27 miles) to start the day's 40-mile ride from the Newport Pool Hall finishing at the overnight accommodation in O’Neill.
Day 4 - O'Neill to Neligh
- The fourth 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 final overnight accommodation and group meal.
Day 5 - Neligh to Norfolk
- The morning shuttle brings us from Norfolk back to Neligh (35 miles) for the final stretch. On the fifth and final riding day we pedal 35 miles from Neligh to the eastern terminus of the Cowboy Trail in Norfolk. The tour wraps up at the Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.
All evening meals are included in the tour package, including Day 0 in Valentine. We dine out every night at the best of local restaurants on this tour.
Throughout the riding days the tour will provide hydration and nourishment SAGs at strategic points along the trails, furthermore most towns have community parks, restaurants and filing stations. There is so much stuff to take in and absorb along the way. Stopping and supporting our rural communities helps sustain small businesses. Bring your camera and take in some bird life or grab a lunch in town.
There is frequent shuttling on this ride, on most riding days we try to cap the shuttles to about a half hour maximum. As its Pampering, your bikes will be properly attended to and properly loaded throughout the week.
In early-June the weather gets warmer and the rains are normally past, it should ideally be warm but not unbearable.
It is Nebraska and wind is pretty much a guarantee year around and during any time of the day as well.
We wish we could guarantee a week of puncture free riding.
We recommend tires with a minimum width of 35mm and ideally puncture resistant tires and tubes. Past riders who had larger size tires advocate for them. Like on all BPP rides you need to be prepared to fix your own flat shall you encounter any while on the trail, extra tubes and good tools are highly recommended.
In short the Cowboy Trail is in a very rural part of the USA, that being said airports are accessible but not necessarily close.
Rapid City, South Dakota is the closest airport to the western part of the trail in Valentine, Nebraska.
Sioux City, Iowa is the closest airport to the eastern part of the trail in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Omaha, Nebraska is about 120 miles from Norfolk, Nebraska, offering the most varied commercial travel options.
Our recommended outfitter for bike rentals is a local shop in Norfolk, NE. Their fleet changes often, it is advised to call the shop if you are considering renting.
Norfork Bike, 321 W Norfolk Ave Suite 300, Norfolk, NE 68701
402-371-3325
BPP has a limited number of bikes for rent at affordable rates. Quantity is limited and needs to be requested well in advance. These are not new bikes; however, they are well maintained and suitable for this ride.
Free long-term parking is included onsite at the Day 4 accommodation in Norfolk, NE.
You can also park your car free of charge at the Day 0 accommodation in the west in Valentine, NE. A return shuttle west to Valentine is not included in the tour fee. Please reach out to us if you are considering parking at the western terminus of the ride to discuss options
Not road bikes with skinny tires!
Recommended bike types include: gravel, hybrid, touring or Ebike.
Again, we recommend tires with a minimum width of 35mm and ideally puncture resistant tires and tubes.
The trail surface is crushed limestone which is typically softer than other Rail Trails. Bridge crossings are decked wood.
Riders are encouraged to always be aware that the surface can get soft and loose; furthermore always take caution when crossing the rural ranch roads. You are never far from BPP support if needed, this old Rail Trail has stations every ten miles and you will not lack services or access.
Each rider can bring two pieces of baggage, with each piece not exceeding 30 pounds. Your bags will be taken care of in the morning by our staff, who will move them to your next lodging location on changing days. Your bags will be dropped directly to your room. That’s why PAMPERED is the name of the game.
We welcome everyone. A non-rider will be part of every aspect of the tour except the riding if they so choose. This tour offers a lot in the way of local sites and tours. If you have a non-rider who is considering joining you for the tour, please reach out to discuss arrangements and logistics.
No problem. If you feel you cannot finish the day’s ride, our staff will assist you and your bike to get you to the end point.
Alternatively, each evening before the next day’s ride we offered shortened mileage variants where we will move you forward and this way everyone ends at the same point.
We have been told that we are the model company when it comes to care around bike packing. We use rubber pads for protection of your frame, pedals and rear derailleur, plus we cover bikes with blankets anytime we handle and move your bike. Bikes are typically stored in a secure enclosed truck overnight, otherwise if you need your bike offloaded for charging, or if you simply want to keep it in your room overnight, we pre-position the load to conveniently give you access to your bike.
EARLY BIRD PRICING
Please note that there is an expiration date associated with the early bird discount code. Pricing when redeeming a discount code is honored by the date your registration and deposit are received. Mail-in registrations paid in full must be postmarked by the stated discount code expiration date to qualify.
Note: To pass savings onto riders, we have moved to Double pricing base rates; for Triple & Quad rates please reach out to us by email. (pamperedpedalers@gmail.com)
Need a Bike Rental?
Check availability & daily pricing
Cowboy Trail Memories
