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Hartington will play big part in State event
HARTINGTON — Hartington will take center stage for cyclists from across the region and beyond in 2026, as the community has been selected as the start and finish point for the Tour de Nebraska.
The event will begin in Hartington on Wednesday, June 26, with a hosted breakfast. Riders will then head north toward the Missouri River. The ride will include the Missouri River valley and the hills of northern Cedar County. The route also crosses into the Vermillion and Yankton, S.D., area.
A Saturday night festival and awards night with live music will be held in Yankton. The ride will then conclude on Sunday with a 40-mile bike ride from Yankton back to Hartington.
Founded in 1988, Tour de Nebraska has built a loyal following by offering riders a relaxed, five-day cycling experience that showcases the scenery, hospitality and small-town charm of rural Nebraska.
The 2026 ride will bring an estimated 400-500 cyclists to Hartington, providing a major opportunity for the community to highlight its businesses, volunteers and welcoming spirit.
The Tour de Nebraska is a Wednesday-through-Sunday circle tour, meaning riders begin and end in the same host community. Daily routes typically range from 45-70 miles, making the ride accessible for first-time tour cyclists while still appealing to seasoned riders. Organizers cap participation at 500 riders, allowing for a more personal experience and meaningful interaction with the communities along the route.
Tour de Nebraska riders come from all over, drawn by the event’s emphasis on freedom and enjoyment rather than rigid schedules or competitive pressure. Tour organizers handle route planning, gear transport, meals and camping logistics, leaving riders free to focus on pedaling and taking in Nebraska’s landscape.
That atmosphere has led many cyclists to return year after year, prompting the tour’s unofficial slogan: “a family reunion on wheels.”
City officials say hosting the start and finish in Hartington will require strong community involvement. Volunteers will be needed to help ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for riders, and local groups or clubs may have opportunities to provide meals as fundraisers during the event, said Hartington Economic Development Coordinator Miranda Becker.
Residents interested in volunteering or assisting with planning are encouraged to contact Becker at the Hartington City Office for more information.
Another statewide bike ride is also planning to dip into Cedar County this summer. The Bike Ride Across Nebraska will be held from June 7-13 and will go through Cedar County. The route takes riders from Crofton to Wayne on Thursday, June 11.
With hundreds of visitors expected to pass through, the 2026 Tour de Nebraska stop is anticipated to provide both an economic boost and a chance for Hartington to put its best foot — or best wheel — forward, Becker said.
