A signature Columbus event – Pelotonia Ride Weekend – is returning for its 18th year to fund innovative cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James and unite cyclists from across the country and beyond.
From Aug. 1-2, more than 8,000 riders are expected for Ride Weekend, with routes ranging from 17 to 165 miles, according to a press release. More than 1,000 cancer survivors are registered to participate this year, a record-breaking number for Pelotonia.
"I'm a cancer survivor myself," Pelotonia CEO Joe Apgar told The Dispatch. "So, just to see people out there with a survivor jersey and shirt and either cheering people on or riding or volunteering – I think it's such a special weekend for people that have gone
through cancer and people that have been caregivers or have a loved one or they're honoring somebody who's passed away from cancer."
Riders commit to fundraise when they register, with amounts starting at $1,250.
The upcoming Ride Weekend is bringing plenty of action, much of which is new for Pelotonia. Here's what else to know.
What are the Ride Weekend routes?
Pelotonia is introducing all-new routes this year, including a 17-mile Downtown loop, the event's shortest distance ever. This route starts and ends at McFerson Commons and North Bank parks and rides through Bexley and Ohio State's campus with a rest stop at Goodale Park.
Each route has been tweaked to keep things fresh, Apgar said.
Notably, the new 17-mile loop was added to increase the event's accessibility, and around 2,000 people have already signed up for it, according to a press release.
"We wanted something that felt more accessible to all different types of people, and whether it's fitness level or maybe somebody is going through treatment or just finished treatment," Apgar told The Dispatch. "That was really important to us, to be able to just try to bring this experience to more people."
Ride Weekend 2026 routes/distances include:
- Aug. 1 – downtown Columbus loop route, 17 miles
- Aug. 1 – downtown Columbus to New Albany, 23 miles: Designed for cyclists of all experience levels who are ready for a few hills; this point-to-point route begins in downtown Columbus and finishes in New Albany.
- Aug. 1 – downtown Columbus to New Albany, 46 miles: This point-to-point route begins in downtown Columbus and finishes in New Albany, featuring more hills for experienced riders. This route is at capacity and registration is no longer available.
- Aug. 1 – New Albany Schools to Kenyon College, 66 miles: From New Albany, riders will bike through Granville and Homer before tackling a final stretch of hills ahead of finishing in Gambier.
- Aug. 1 – downtown Columbus to Kenyon College, 100 miles: This route begins in downtown Columbus, passes through Granville and Homer and features a final stretch of hills before the finish line in Gambier.
- Aug. 1 and 2 – New Albany Schools to New Albany Schools, 131 miles: This two-day option includes a New Albany to Gambier 66-mile route Aug. 1 and a 65-mile Gambier to New Albany return route Aug. 2.
- Aug. 1 and 2 – downtown Columbus to New Albany Schools, 165 miles: This two-day option includes a downtown Columbus to Gambier 100-mile route Aug. 1 and a 65-mile Gambier to New Albany return route Aug. 2.
- Aug. 2 – New Albany loop route, 27 miles
Singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon to headline opening ceremony
Ahead of the action-packed weekend, 15,000 guests are expected at a July 31 opening ceremony, according to a press release.
The ceremony will take place at North Bank and McFerson Commons parks 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.
Cancer survivor and singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon, frontman of Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness bands, will deliver a live performance at 7 p.m. McMahon has Columbus roots, spending a few childhood years in Bexley, Apgar said.
"He's got an amazing sort of cancer journey and story that I'm sure he'll share, and I think it'll really kick off the weekend in an amazing way," Apgar said.
The ceremony will also feature a buffet, beverages, a vendor expo, kids' activities and more. A pop-up shop of branded merchandise will be available on-site, along with newly released items from lululemon, Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Yeti and more.
A hope to break the funding record
Since 2009, the Pelotonia community has raised more than $350 million for cancer research at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), including a record annual total of $29.2 million raised in 2025, according to a press release.
This year, the Pelotonia team hopes to beat that number.
"We don't ever put a formal goal out there," Apgar said. "We feel so fortunate to have the support from the community, and to have a cancer center here in The James that's doing really incredible work, and it's really saving people's lives, and we get to be a part of that.
"I think the competitive spirit in me always wants to hit the higher numbers, but I think there's a lot of measures of success for us, and fundraising is just one of them."
Dispatch Reporter Nora Igelnik can be reached at nigelnik@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Pelotonia Ride Weekend returns with new route
