COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 31, 2024) – Pelotonia will host its annual Ride Weekend on August 2-4, 2024, kicking off with Opening Ceremony on Friday evening followed by two days of road cycling with routes ranging in distance from 20 miles to 190 miles. This year, Pelotonia expects more than 10,000 participants throughout Ride Weekend including 7,000 Riders, 3,000 Volunteers and countless spectators.  

Since 2009, Pelotonia has raised more than $295 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 2023, the annual fundraising total was $25 million.  

“Each year, the incredible Pelotonia community comes together for a weekend filled with inspiration and hope, and we work hard to make Ride Weekend an unforgettable experience for all,” said Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia and cancer survivor. “Every Pelotonia participant has a connection to cancer, which brings us together to ride, volunteer and fundraise to accelerate critical cancer research and invest in new, innovative ideas to fuel breakthroughs. Pelotonia-funded research at the OSUCCC – James is extending and saving lives of patients in Ohio and around the world.” 

Pelotonia’s funding partners provide operational support, allowing the organization to direct 100 percent of every participant-raised dollar to innovative cancer research. New funding partners in 2024 include Ariel Corporation, Barbasol and The Haslam 3 Foundation. Longtime and returning funding partners include American Electric Power Foundation, Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret, M/I Homes, Safelite, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill, Nationwide Insurance and Pharmavite. 

“We are so very grateful for the continued hard work and generosity of the Pelotonia community. Every dollar raised by Pelotonia participants is directed to innovative research that is resulting in better methods of diagnosing, treating and preventing cancer,” said Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, FACS, Director of the OSUCCC, Pelotonia Board member and cancer survivor. “We know that research holds the key to ending cancer. The philanthropy from the Pelotonia community year over year is significantly moving us closer to a cancer-free world.” 

Opening Ceremony will take place at McFerson Commons and North Bank Park in the Arena District on Friday, August 2, from 4 to 8 p.m., with early check-in available for participants 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. A pop-up shop for sales of new branded merchandise will also be onsite. All registered Ride Weekend and Gravel Day Riders receive two tickets. Additionally, Challengers and Volunteers who have raised $1,250 by August 2 will receive two tickets to the event. Additional tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate. 

This year, Pelotonia is thrilled to announce that Clubhouse, an Ohio-born, feel-good indie-pop band, will perform as the headliner act for the community celebration. Band members include Max Reichert on lead vocals plus twin brothers, Ari and Zak Blumer, on guitar and drums, who have been playing together since middle school.  

Top songs from Clubhouse include “Ohio,” “NO WAY!,” “Weekend” and their most recent release, a cover of “Big Jet Plane.” The indie-pop band has played sold-out shows all over Ohio, shared the stage with groups like The Revivalists, Twenty One Pilots, Chance the Rapper and Young the Giant, and performed at notable venues including Lower.com Field for the Columbus Crew and music festivals like Firefly Festival, Bunbury and Wonderbus. Originally from Pataskala, Clubhouse performed at the Kenyon finish line celebration for Ride Weekend 2017, and is excited to return to Pelotonia on a bigger stage and with a close personal connection to the mission.   

In 2019, Max was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and has since battled multiple cancer recurrences in his lungs, leg, and now shoulder. He recently had surgery and is currently undergoing treatment, including care at The James and Cleveland Clinic.  

Clubhouse is set to perform starting at 7:00 p.m. following the inspirational stage program which begins at 6:30 p.m. Then on Saturday morning, Ari, Zak, and the Clubhouse band managers will ride the 20-mile Pelotonia route in honor and celebration of Max.  

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

Starting the morning of Saturday, August 3, 7,000 Pelotonia Riders will embark on all-new routes, starting at McFerson Commons/North Bank Park in downtown Columbus for the 20, 50, and 100-mile routes and at New Albany Schools for the 65-mile route. The 20-mile option is the shortest route distance in Pelotonia history, which concludes with a celebration at a brand-new finish line location at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in New Albany. The 50-mile finish line is at New Albany Schools, and both the 65 and 100-mile routes conclude with a finish line celebration at Kenyon College in Gambier. 

On Sunday, August 4, 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. There is also a 30-mile Sunday loop that starts and finishes at New Albany Schools. 

Ride Weekend would not be possible without the valuable time and hard work of 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 sale, make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Riders, and so much more.   

Registration for Ride Weekend 2024 is still open at pelotonia.org/register. 

New this year, nursing mothers participating as Riders, Volunteers or spectators can access private lactation areas at Opening Ceremony and at all start and finish venues. Breast pump and equipment transportation is also available for Riders from start to finish venues. 

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. New designated spectator experience areas include a downtown cheering location for 20, 50 and 100-mile Riders at Broad Street Methodist Church (501 E Broad Street), and at Newark Town Square in conjunction with Newark Summerfest, presented by the City of Newark and The Midland Theatre (20 South 2nd Street), for 65 and 100-mile Riders. For spectator information and specific driving directions to keep the roads as clear of cars as possible, visit pelotonia.org/cheer.  

Gravel Day, September 21 

Following Ride Weekend, Pelotonia Gravel Day returns for its second year on Saturday, September 21, following the inaugural gravel ride event in 2023. This unique cycling adventure takes participants on the gravel roads of southeast Ohio with 22, 30 and 52-mile route loops. A community gathering will kick off Gravel Day Weekend experiences with acoustic music, food, drinks, and s’mores by the campfire on Friday, September 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Gravel Day participants may also camp onsite at Snow Fork Event Center from Friday evening through Sunday morning, with campsite reservations now open for car and tent spaces or RV spaces. Riders and Volunteers can register now to participate in Gravel Day 2024 at Snow Fork Event Center in Nelsonville, Ohio at pelotonia.org/register.  

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