Theme Ride Thursday: Country Music Awards Edition đŸ€ đŸŽ¶ (With a Ride Profile to Boot!)

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Let’s be honest—country music isn’t one of those easy theme rides like “World Bike Day” or “Mother’s Day.” It’s polarizing. Riders either love it
or they’ll give you a death stare the moment they hear a steel guitar.

I used to be in the “no thank you” camp myself. I joked that every country song was about a guy who lost his dog, his girl, and his truck—all in one sad, beer-soaked day. And let’s not forget the bottle of whiskey.

And hey, sometimes it is about a guy, his truck, and a cold beer while he sings about losing his girl
but that’s part of what makes country music so fun. It leans into life’s messy, beautiful moments. But beyond the stereotypes, there’s a whole world of songs that celebrate resilience, confidence, independence, and sisterhood—especially from the genre’s powerhouse women.

That’s when it started to win me over. Even better? Country songs are surprisingly ride-friendly. So many tracks fall into that sweet cadence range of 80–95 rpm, perfect for flat roads, endurance efforts, warm-ups, and recoveries. And those slower heartbreak ballads? They’re made for cool-downs.

đŸŽ¶ What drew me in even more? The crossover trend. These days, you’ve got hip-hop, R&B, pop, and even dance artists going country—hello, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, and Taylor Swift (early T-Swift counts!). On top of that, country women are really making waves—speaking their truth with sass, swagger, and a healthy dose of empowerment. (We see you, Lainey, Kelsea, Maren, and of course, Dolly.)

So this month, in honor of the Country Music Awards, consider putting your own spin on a country ride. You can go all in—or just dip a toe in the boots.

🎯 Try one of these ride ideas:

  • đŸ’Ș “Country Queens” — All strong, sassy female artists

  • 🚙 “Dogs, Trucks, and Beer” — A ride full of classics and clichĂ©s

  • 🐎 “Saddle Up” — Songs about country life, horses, and heartland living

  • 🔁 “Country Crossover” — Artists from other genres who dabble in country

  • đŸŽ€ “Boot-Stompin’ Remakes” — Country covers of your favorite rock and pop hits

  • 🎯 Or just mix it all together and ride the range

đŸŽ¶ Lookin’ for a ride that’s already saddled up and ready to go?
Fern has put together a boot-stompin’ profile called Triple Climb Showdown, and it’s a ride worth hollerin’ about! You’ll tackle three climbs, each one a little longer than the last, set to a mix of classic and crossover country tunes. To keep things fun, we’ve added some country-themed coaching cues to help you bring the spirit of the genre into your class.

ICA members can find the full profile and playlist linked below. Time to giddy up and climb!

Back in 2018, we introduced instructors to country music through our Step Outside Your Musical Box series, featuring a Country bucket playlist curated by longtime instructor and country music fan Carole Harrell. If you’re new to country or just want a refresher, that post offers a little history along with tons of song ideas for your classes.

Since then, that original Country bucket playlist has grown like a field of wildflowers—now with about 230 songs that work beautifully for cycling. You’ll find everything from dusty classics to modern radio hits. Whether you’re ready to go full Nashville or just want to sprinkle in a little twang, it’s got you covered.

And because we like to give you options, we’ve also built a second playlist: Crossover Country—with 110 songs (and counting) that ride the fence between country, pop, rock, dance and even hip-hop. Sure, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, and Shaboozey are all over it now, but this trend’s been cookin’ for decades. Think the Eagles, Creedence, the Rolling Stones—all tipping their hats to country long before it was cool. This playlist is perfect if you want to keep things spicy without goin’ full honky-tonk.

👉 ICA members can find both of those playlists at the end of this post. 

🧱 New to using country in class? Start slow. Add one or two songs at first—see how your riders respond. You might be surprised who starts singing along.

đŸŽ” Not sure where to begin? Here are a few traditional and crossover options (make sure to check out our SOYMB post for additional suggestions):

White Horse, Chris Stapleton, 4:27, 146 bpm
This gritty, bluesy tune is made for a strong, driving climb—like you’re chasing down something just out of reach. It fits perfectly if you’re leaning into that cowboy-and-his-horse sub-theme. And if you’re not already a Chris Stapleton fan, this song might just rope you in.

Buy My Own Drinks, Runaway June, 3:22, 156 bpm
These ladies don’t need saving—or a tab. Use this feisty, fast-paced empowerment anthem for a threshold interval or a steady climb. Ideal for International Women’s Day
or any day your riders need a reminder of their badassery.

Buy Dirt, Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan,  2:47, 80 bpm
This heartfelt tune is all about slowing down and savoring the good stuff. It’s a lovely choice for recovery or a reflective warm-up. Sometimes we need less hustle, more heart.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E, Travis Tritt, 3:00, 90 bpm
This rowdy classic is bursting with attitude and made for speed—use it for VO2 max efforts or a fast-paced segment in a race profile. Just be warned: with this much trouble on the playlist, your riders better be ready to bring the heat…and try not to get caught!

Diamondback, Carly Pearce, 3:02, 96 bpm
“Keep the house, keep the truck…keep the dog and the Cadillac, but you ain’t gettin’ this diamond back!” Ouch! This sass-laced breakup anthem brings the fire. Use it for fast intervals—it’s perfect for a strong, confident push.

Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy), Big & Rich, 3:20, 102 bpm
This over-the-top anthem is practically the poster song for a cowboy-themed ride. Whether you’re trotting along a fast flat or surging the legs on each chorus (tip—it works great as your second song), your riders will be grinning from ear to ear. Yeehaw optional, fun guaranteed.

One Too Many, Keith Urban, P!nk, 3:23, 83 bpm
Everything P!nk touches turns to gold—even when she’s sipping whiskey on a pier with Keith Urban. This mellow duet is one of our favorite collabs and makes a smooth warm-up or a gentle flat road to bridge into more intense work.

 

Where the Country Girls At (feat. Luke Bryan & Pitbull), Trace Atkins, 3:30, 152 bpm
This one keeps its country roots strong with Trace Adkins and Luke Bryan, but Pitbull jumps in to add his signature party-starter energy—bringing the “Mr. Worldwide” vibe to the barn dance! It’s a high-octane track perfect for a fast climb that’ll have your riders pushing hard with a smile.

I Need You (Digital Dog Remix), LeAnn Rimes, 4:48, 130 bpm
LeAnn Rimes may be a classic country queen, but this remix gives her anthem a fresh coat of glitter. With a pulsing EDM vibe, dramatic builds, and punchy beat drops, it’s got just the right mix of sass and soul. The energy ebbs and flows, making it ideal for a dynamic climb—alternate between seated grit and standing power as the track rises and falls.

I Had Some Help, Post Malone & Morgan Wallen, 2:58, 128 bpm
Crossover gold! This one’s got country twang, pop polish, and just enough edge to win over skeptics. It’s off Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album, packed with collabs from some of country’s biggest names—worth digging into for more gems. Use this track for a light climb or longer jumps (8- or 16-count) and let that groove ride.

Saddle up, y’all. The CMA spirit is in the air—it’s time to ride into the sunset with some twang, heart, and horsepower.

ICA members can grab the Triple Climb Showdown profile and check out the two bucket playlists (classic country and crossover country) linked below to help you plan your next ride.

💬 Have you ever taught a country ride? What’s your go-to country cycling song? Share in the comments below!

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