The Thirsty Pedaler Makes its Debut in Jeffersonville

It has 15 sets of pedals, a barrel that fits a beer keg and now, it’s riding through the streets of downtown Jeffersonville.

The Thirsty Pedaler is offering Sunday tours through the city’s historic district down Riverside Drive and across Spring Street, stopping at bars or breweries along the way.

Here’s how it works: You round up 14 of your friends to split the $335 — that’s about $22 per person — and pick three places you want to stop along the way during the two-hour trek.
Then you pedal around town, sipping on an adult beverage while burning off those hard-earned calories.

Owners Scott and Jen Benningfield decided to expand Louisville-based Thirsty Pedaler tours to Jeffersonville when they saw activity from the Big Four Bridge.

“It’s got a great view of the city,” Scott said of the Indiana route. “The walking bridge opened up a lot of Louisvillian’s eyes to Jeffersonville.”

He said new bars  such as Red Yeti Brewing Co. and Big Four Burgers + Beer, along with soon-to-open O’Shea’s Irish Pub and Flat 12 Bierwerks, encouraged the new pedaler route in Jeffersonville.
“We see Jeffersonville as an up and coming area, and we want to help provide more things to do for people coming over here,” Scott said.

The Thirsty Pedaler can be booked online for Sunday tours between noon and 11 p.m., but Scott said they may end up expanding operating days.

Guests can bring their own alcohol — including a keg that sits at the front of the pedaler and can be hooked up to a tap. Benningfield pilots the craft, which does not exceed 5 mph.

Jeffersonville Planning and Zoning Director Shane Corbin said the Thirsty Pedaler owners approached him with the idea, made possible through a mobile vendor ordinance.  “It’s unique,” Corbin said. “It doesn’t compete with any of the businesses here.” He said he hopes it brings a lot more people out to downtown restaurants.  “It’s just fun,” he said.

Reservations can be made at thethirstypedaler.com.