August 1-2, 2026

ride weekend

Join us on July 31 for Opening Ceremony and August 1-2 for Ride Weekend 2026!

Our signature event, Ride Weekend welcomes more than 7,000 Riders annually, crossing Central Ohio on routes ranging from 20 to 190 miles, including one- and two-day ride options.

ride weekend
countdown

UNTIL RIDE WEEKEND 2026

Join us on July 31 for Opening Ceremony and August 1-2 for Ride Weekend 2026.

ride weekend 2025 routes

Sat 8/03

$1,250 Fundraising Commitment

Downtown Columbus to New Albany

24 miles

A great route for cyclists of all experience levels with our shortest mileage and smallest elevation climb. Riders will start in Downtown Columbus and conclude at New Albany Schools.

Sun 8/04

$1,250 Fundraising Commitment

New Albany Loop Route

30 miles

A loop option for beginner to intermediate Riders, this route starts and finishes at New Albany Schools, passing through Johnstown before returning. This route can be added to any Saturday route for a total fundraising commitment of $3,000.

Sat 8/03

$1,500 Fundraising Commitment

Downtown Columbus to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

50 Miles

Ideal for intermediate Riders with some training under their belt, this route has Riders start in Downtown Columbus and finish in New Albany at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Sat 8/03

$2,000 Fundraising Commitment

New Albany Schools to Kenyon College

63 Miles

Starting in New Albany, Riders will visit historic Granville, traverse through Newark and Bladensburg, and finish with some hills on their way to Gambier. This route will feature options for Riders to add additional elevation and miles if they choose!

Sat 8/03

$2,000 Fundraising Commitment

Downtown Columbus to Kenyon College

100 Miles

Beginning in Downtown Columbus, Riders will pass through Granville, Newark, and Bladensburg on their way to finishing in Gambier. This route will feature options for Riders to add additional elevation and miles if they choose!

Sat 8/03

Sun 8/04

$3,000 Fundraising Commitment

New Albany Schools to New Albany Schools

153 Miles

This challenging two-day option includes a New Albany to Gambier 63-mile course on Saturday and a 90-mile Gambier to New Albany return route on Sunday.

Sat 8/03

Sun 8/04

$3,000 Fundraising Commitment

Downtown Columbus to New Albany Schools

190 Miles

This challenging two-day option includes a Downtown Columbus to Gambier 100-mile ride on Saturday and a 90-mile Gambier to New Albany return route on Sunday.

interested in gravel day?

Gravel Day provides unique cycling adventure on the gravel roads of beautiful Southeast Ohio. Plus, new for 2025, participate in the Trail Run/Hike!

Learn More About Gravel Day

resources

ride weekend 2025 event handbook

This comprehensive resource includes safety guidelines, training tips, and packing lists to prepare for Ride Weekend. Rider schedules are outlined for Saturday and Sunday routes, plus important information for all Riders to know about the ride.

Save the date: July 31, 2026

opening ceremony

Opening Ceremony is a can’t-miss celebration featuring entertainment, impactful storytelling, delicious food, and brand new Pelotonia merch.

Opening Ceremony 2025 took place on Friday, August 1, in the Arena District of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The event welcomed nearly 20,000 guests and included an iconic headliner performance from O.A.R.!

Ride weekend faqs

The countdown to next year’s Pelotonia events is on! Opening Ceremony is July 31, 2026, and Ride Weekend is August 1-2, 2026.

More details for Ride Weekend 2026 will be added to this page as they become available!

The minimum age to ride or volunteer is 14; however, any age can participate in Pelotonia as a Challenger.

Yes! Riders can participate in both Ride Weekend and Gravel Day. If adding Gravel Day to any Ride Weekend route, the Rider’s fundraising commitment will increase by $1,500. High Rollers ($5,000 fundraising minimum) will be able to participate in both events at no additional commitment increase. Please note, Riders who choose to participate in both Ride Weekend and Gravel Day cannot share funds below their set commitment, nor can they receive funds to get to their fundraising commitment.
Riders do not need to create a separate fundraising profile to participate in both events. If adding a Gravel Day route to your existing Ride Weekend registration, go to pelotonia.org/register and log in to the account that holds your current Ride Weekend registration. Once you are logged into the registration process, select Ride in Gravel Day option and complete the registration process.
High Rollers are Pelotonia’s biggest fundraisers. These individuals set big goals and thrive in the quest to make them happen.
Pelotonia participants can commit to the High Roller fundraising minimum of $5,000 in their personal profile and will be acknowledged as a High Roller if they maintain a minimum of $5,000 in donations after the fund-share period. By committing to raising $5,000 as a High Roller you’re agreeing to having your credit card charged for the remaining amount if it isn’t met by the fundraising deadline.
Pelotons

Start or Join a team

Interested in starting or joining a Peloton? Contact the Community Engagement team at pelotonia@pelotonia.org.

Funding Partners

Thanks to our generous funding partners

100% of every participant-raised dollar goes to innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James.