COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 22, 2025) – Pelotonia will host its 17^th annual Ride Weekend on August 1-3, 2025, kicking off with Opening Ceremony on Friday evening followed by two days of road cycling with routes ranging in distance from 24 miles to 190 miles. This year, Pelotonia expects more than 10,000 participants throughout Ride Weekend including more than 7,000 Riders, 3,000 Volunteers and countless spectators.

Since 2009, Pelotonia has raised more than $309 million for innovative cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), including The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. In 2024, the annual fundraising total was $26.2 million.

“There’s nothing like the energy and purpose of Ride Weekend — my favorite weekend of the year,” said Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia, 15-year Rider and cancer Survivor. “Tens of thousands of people with a personal connection to cancer come together to fuel bold ideas and support world-class researchers at The James at Ohio State. Their work is leading to lifesaving breakthroughs, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who makes this movement possible.”

W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in cancer research and former director of the National Cancer Institute, recently joined the OSUCCC – James as the new CEO. Dr. Rathmell brings a bold, collaborative vision to accelerate progress in cancer research and care, and Pelotonia is excited to welcome her into its community. Her leadership marks an exciting new chapter in the OSUCCC – James and Pelotonia’s shared mission of ending cancer.

“I was aware that Ohio State had really strong team science previously but it quickly became clear to me that one of the things that makes this place really special is the deep sense of broad community investment in advancing cancer research and care,” said Dr. Kim Rathmell, CEO of the OSUCCC – James. “I’m so inspired by the passion of the Pelotonia community. It’s an honor to partner in the pursuit of a cancer-free world, and I’m excited to join my first Ride Weekend alongside thousands who share a deep commitment to driving innovation in research and care.”

Pelotonia’s generous funding partners provide operational support, allowing the organization to direct 100 percent of every participant-raised dollar to innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James. New funding partners in 2025 include Abbott and DHL Supply Chain. Longtime and returning funding partners include American Electric Power Foundation, Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret, Ariel Corporation, The Haslam 3 Foundation, M/I Homes, Safelite, Barbasol, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill, Nationwide Insurance and Pharmavite.

Opening Ceremony will take place at McFerson Commons and North Bank Park in the Arena District on Friday, August 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., with early check-in available for Riders to pick up credentials and drop off bikes starting at 11:30 a.m. Guests will enjoy a dinner buffet, beverages, vendor expo, kids zone, and more.

All registered Ride Weekend Riders and Gravel Day Riders, Runners and Hikers receive two tickets for admission to Opening Ceremony. High Rollers, who committed to raise $5,000 for cancer research, will receive four tickets. Additionally, Challengers and Volunteers who have raised $1,250 by July 31 will receive two tickets to the event.

A pop-up shop of branded merchandise will also be onsite, including a new Pelotonia collection designed in collaboration with Homage plus newly released items from Greyson, Lululemon and Nike. These items will be available for sale first in person at Opening Ceremony and at Ride Weekend finish lines before online sales begin at shoppelotonia.org following the event.

Pelotonia announced in March that O.A.R., the platinum-certified rock band known for songs like “Shattered (Turn The Car Around)” and “That Was A Crazy Game of Poker,” will perform as the headliner act for the community celebration.

O.A.R. has deep ties to Columbus, with its members being alumni of The Ohio State University, making this headliner performance even more meaningful as 100 percent of dollars raised by Pelotonia participants are directed to innovative cancer research at their alma mater. For more than 25 years, the band has sold out Madison Square Garden twice, filled Red Rocks Amphitheater a dozen times, earned platinum and gold plaques, lit up the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration, and built one of the most committed fanbases in the world. Pelotonia is excited to bring the energy of O.A.R. to the Opening Ceremony stage to rally its community and set the tone for Ride Weekend with an unforgettable rock performance.

O.A.R. is set to perform starting at 7 p.m. following the inspirational stage program which begins at 6:30 p.m.

To help kick off the evening, Ari and Zak Blumer of Clubhouse will DJ on stage from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. An Ohio-born band, Clubhouse was the headliner act for Opening Ceremony 2024. Lead singer Max Reichert performed alongside band members, Ari and Zak, while he was undergoing cancer treatment. This was the band’s last performance on stage together as Max passed away on November 1, after a six-year battle with osteosarcoma. In partnership with Pelotonia, Clubhouse is raising funds for cancer research at clubhouseband.com and through their newly formed Peloton team. A tribute video highlights the band’s Pelotonia experience and honors Max’s legacy. Ari, Zak, and their band managers will also ride 24 miles on Saturday morning.

To learn more about Opening Ceremony, including the event schedule, important driving directions, parking garage details, and accessibility information, visit pelotonia.org/opening-ceremony.

Starting the morning of Saturday, August 2, more than 7,000 Pelotonia Riders will embark on all-new routes, starting at McFerson Commons/North Bank Park in downtown Columbus for the 24-, 50-, and 100-mile routes and at New Albany Schools for the 63-mile route. The 24-mile option concludes with a celebration at New Albany Schools. The 50-mile finish line and celebration are located at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in New Albany, and both the 63- and 100-mile routes conclude with a finish line celebration at Kenyon College in Gambier.

On Sunday, August 3, two-day Riders depart from Kenyon College in the morning, after having the option to stay overnight onsite at the college on Saturday evening, for a 90-mile route to New Albany Schools. A 30-mile Sunday loop route starts and finishes at New Albany Schools.

Ride Weekend would not be possible without the valuable time and hard work of more than 3,000 Volunteers who serve in a variety of critical roles. Volunteers offer medical and first aid services, provide mechanical support, coordinate bike management, run merchandise sales, make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Riders, and so much more.

Registration for Ride Weekend 2025 is still open at pelotonia.org/register.

Spectators are encouraged to come out and support Pelotonia Riders by cheering at start and finish venues, as well as along the routes on both Saturday and Sunday. Designated spectator experience areas include a downtown cheering location for 24-, 50- and 100-mile Riders at Broad Street Methodist Church (501 East Broad Street); at Newark Town Square (20 South 2nd Street) for 63- and 100-mile Riders; and in downtown Granville (141 Broadway East) for 63- and 100-mile Riders. For spectator information and specific driving directions to keep the roads along the Rider routes as clear of vehicles as possible, visit pelotonia.org/cheer.

Following Ride Weekend, Pelotonia Gravel Day returns for its third year on Saturday, October 4. This unique cycling adventure takes participants on the gravel roads of southeast Ohio with 11-, 25- and 48-mile route loops.

New for 2025, Pelotonia is introducing a Trail Run/Hike to the Gravel Day experience. Participants will enjoy a 3.5-mile looped route through the picturesque property of Snow Fork Event Center, with Runners and Hikers able to complete the route mutliple times between start times of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if additional distance is desired. Participants may opt to challenge themselves to both ride and run/hike at Gravel Day. For this option, Riders will first complete their selected cycling route then enter the Trail Run/Hike course.

A community gathering will kick off Gravel Day Weekend experiences with acoustic music, food, drinks, and s’mores by the campfire from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 3. Gravel Day participants may also camp onsite at Snow Fork Event Center on Friday evening, with campsite reservations now open for car and tent spaces or RV spaces. Riders and Volunteers can register now to participate in Gravel Day 2025 at in Nelsonville, Ohio, at pelotonia.org/register.

For more information and to learn about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org.