Pelotonia Rallies Community for Ride Weekend 2026

18th annual signature event unites thousands in funding innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 20, 2026) – Pelotonia will host its 18th annual Ride Weekend on August 1-2, 2026, kicking off with Opening Ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 31, followed by two days of road cycling with routes ranging in distance from 17 miles to 165 miles. This year, Pelotonia expects more than 8,000 Riders, 3,000 Volunteers and countless spectators.  

Since 2009, Pelotonia has raised more than $350 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 2025, the annual fundraising total was a record-breaking $29.2 million. 

“There’s an energy in this community right now that’s hard to put into words,” said Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia, 16-year Rider and cancer Survivor. “Every Pelotonia Rider, Volunteer and supporter helps researchers at the OSUCCC – James pursue work that wasn’t possible before, and gives patients and Survivors real hope today and for the future. That’s what Ride Weekend is all about, and I’m grateful to everyone who shows up to make it happen.” 

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. Longtime and returning funding partners include Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret & Co., AEP Ohio Foundation, Ariel Corporation, Cardinal Health Foundation, M/I Homes, Safelite, The Haslam 3 Foundation, Abbott, Barbasol,  DHL Supply Chain, Diamond Hill, Nationwide Insurance and Pharmavite. 

W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, joined the OSUCCC – James as CEO in April 2025 after serving as director of the National Cancer Institute. A physician-scientist and nationally recognized leader in cancer research, she has embraced Pelotonia as a powerful expression of what is possible when a community unites behind a shared mission. In 2025, Dr. Rathmell participated in her first Pelotonia Ride Weekend, completing the 24-mile route. This year, she will ride the new 17-mile loop around downtown Columbus at Ride Weekend and take part in the Trail Run/Hike at Gravel Day. 

“Support from the Pelotonia community enables our scientists and physicians at The James to pursue the boldest ideas and biggest questions in cancer research,” Dr. Rathmell said. “When I participated in my first Ride Weekend last year, I was inspired by the energy, generosity and determination of thousands of people united around a shared purpose. Pelotonia gives our researchers the freedom to take on complex scientific challenges, accelerate discoveries and bring new hope to patients and families. Every mile ridden, every dollar raised and every volunteer hour invested helps move us closer to cancer-free world.”

Opening Ceremony on July 31 

Opening Ceremony will take place at North Bank Park and McFerson Commons on Friday, July 31, 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 buffet, beverages, vendor expo, kids zone and more.  

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 lululemon, Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Yeti and more. 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 April that acclaimed singer-songwriter and cancer Survivor Andrew McMahon will perform as the headliner act for the Opening Ceremony. Known as the frontman of Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, McMahon has built a legacy defined by resilience, reinvention and deeply personal songwriting, selling nearly 2.5 million albums and surpassing 1.3 billion global streams. 

McMahon has deep ties to Columbus, having lived in Bexley during his elementary and middle school years before his family moved to southern California, making this headliner performance even more meaningful. His story is also deeply connected to Pelotonia’s mission. Diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in 2005 at age 22, McMahon founded the Dear Jack Foundation in 2006 to support adolescents and young adults facing cancer, using his platform to provide resources from diagnosis through survivorship. 

His career spans more than two decades, with hits including “Cecilia and the Satellite,” “Dark Blue” and “Konstantine,” dynamic festival performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, tours alongside Weezer, Panic! At The Disco and his idol Billy Joel, and an Emmy nomination for his work on the NBC series “Smash.” McMahon’s music will energize the crowd to kick off Ride Weekend, and his personal story will resonate deeply across the Pelotonia community. 

Andrew McMahon will perform at 7 p.m. following the inspirational stage program at 6:30 p.m.  

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

Ride Weekend on August 1-2 

More than 8,000 Pelotonia Riders will embark on all-new routes, which can all be viewed at pelotonia.org/routes, including: 

Saturday Routes: 

• 17-mile loop route starting and finishing at North Bank Park and McFerson Commons, taking Riders through Bexley and The Ohio State University campus 

• 23-mile route starting at North Bank Park and McFerson Commons and finishing at New Albany Schools 

• 46-mile route starting at North Bank Park and McFerson Commons and finishing at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in New Albany 

• 66-mile route starting at New Albany Schools and finishing at Kenyon College in Gambier  

• 100-mile route starting at North Bank Park and McFerson Commons and finishing at Kenyon College in Gambier  

Sunday and Two-Day Routes: 

• 27-mile loop route starting and finishing at New Albany Schools 

• 131-mile two-day route starting at New Albany Schools and finishing at Kenyon College in Gambier on Saturday, then returning to New Albany Schools on Sunday 

• 165-mile two-day route starting at North Bank Park and McFerson Commons and finishing at Kenyon College in Gambier on Saturday, returning to New Albany Schools on Sunday 

Registration for Ride Weekend 2026 routes 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 on Saturday include a downtown cheering location for 17-, 23-, 46- and 100-mile Riders at Broad Street Methodist Church (501 E. Broad St.) and in downtown Granville (100 W. Broadway) for 66- 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. 

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.  

Gravel Day on October 3 with New Mountain Biking Routes 

Pelotonia Gravel Day returns for its fourth year on Saturday, October 3, offering 11- and 48-mile gravel cycling routes through southeast Ohio, a 3.5-mile Trail Run/Hike loop, and new for 2026, 10- and 24-mile mountain biking routes at Snow Fork Event Center. Participants can even combine disciplines, riding first and then completing the Trail Run/Hike course. The weekend kicks off Friday, October 2, with a community gathering featuring music, food and s’mores by the campfire, plus optional on-site camping. Gravel Day participants can register at  pelotonia.org/register. 

To learn about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact.