Are you ready for Ride Weekend? 40 pictures of Pelotonia document miles of smiles
Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
Pelotonia Ride Weekend is one of the biggest rides in the country. About 6,500 cyclists will participate in 2023 on Aug. 5 and 6, with "One Goal" of funding research to end cancer. Around 3,000 volunteers and tens of thousands of spectators will also be involved.
Now in its 15th year, every dollar raised by Pelotonia participants goes directly to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Ride Weekend will kick off for participants and their families on Aug. 4 with an opening ceremony that includes multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer and other performers.
Pelotonia will hold its newest fundraising ride, Gravel Day, on Sept. 30, offering choices of 20, 30 and 50 miles in the rolling hills of Athens County.
When and where does Pelotonia Ride Weekend begin?
Ride Weekend will take place Saturday and Sunday, with starting points and and times varying according to routes. Drivers can expect closures between McFerson Commons Park and North Bank Park from morning to mid-evening on Aug. 4, as well as on Aug. 5.
Riders leaving from North Bank Park, 311 W. Long St., on Saturday will depart in the following time frames:
101-mile riders: 7 a.m.
50-mile riders: 7:30-7:45 a.m.
24-mile riders: 8:30-8:45 a.m.
Riders doing the 77-mile route from Pickerington to Gambier will leave from Pickerington North High School, 7800 Refugee Road, at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.
On Sunday, those riding the 37-mile loop option will set out from New Albany Middle School, 6600 Dublin Granville Road, at 8 a.m., and 160- and 184-mile route cyclists on the second leg of their journey will depart from Kenyon College, 221 Duff St., Gambier, at 8 a.m.
Family and friends spectate at the 180 mile finish line at Market Square in New Albany, Ohio, with thank you signs to support riders in the 6th Pelotonia ride in 2014.
Class A riders sit at the start line moments before heading out for the 6th Pelotonia starting in downtown Columbus in 2014.
Cyclists signal their route while riding towards the intersection of Kitzmiller and Smith's Mill roads where the 50 milers and 100 mile courses split during the 6th Pelotonia in 2014.
The first group of bicyclists take off from the Pelotonia start at the McFerson Commons in 2014.
A group of bicyclists take off from the Pelotonia start at the McFerson Commons in 2014.
100 mile rider Dean McCombs of Lima, Ohio, waits at for the 180 mile finish line at Market Square in New Albany, Ohio, during the 6th Pelotonia in 2014.
The first group of bicyclists take off from the Pelotonia start at the McFerson Commons in 2014.
A unicyclist starts the 25 mile Pelotonia course at McFerson Commons in 2015.
The Girls with Gears team wait at the starting line for Pelotonia at Columbus Commons in 2015.
A group of riders wait for their 25-mile or 50-mile ride to start near McFerson Commons during Pelotonia in 2015.
Riders turn onto S. High St. in Downtown Columbus as they begin the Pelotonia charity ride in 2015.
Riders turn onto South High Street after the start of the Pelotonia 2015 at Columbus Commons.
Riders ride north of New Albany and along RT 161 during the 2015 Pelotonia ride.
A rider makes her way to the 25 mile finish and rest stop at Pickerington High School North during Pelotonia in 2015.
Riders cross the finishing line in Gambier on the 100 mile route during the 2015 Pelotonia.
Riders line up in the staging area prior to the start of the 25 and 50-mile rides for Pelotonia at McFerson Commons on in 2016.
Riders take off from the start of the 25 and 50-mile rides for Pelotonia from McFerson Commons in 2016.
Riders stop for energy drinks and ice at the 25-mile rest stop at Pickerington North High School during Pelotonia in 2016.
Riders take off from the start of the 25 and 50-mile rides for Pelotonia from McFerson Commons in 2016.
Pelotonia riders from Bo's Tire Barn cross the finish line in New Albany Market Square in 2016.
A man walks through the crowd sporting a painted Pelotonia logo on the side of his head during Pelotonia 2017's opening ceremonies.
Riders begin Pelotonia in 2017.
Pelotonia riders pass the Ohio Statehouse while headed south on High St. in 2017
Riders continue east on Long Street towards downtown Columbus during Pelotonia in 2017.
John Wheeler, of Westerville, Ohio and a cancer survivor, puts away his water bottle as he pedals up Licking County Road 539 on his way into Granville during Pelotonia 2017.
Prayer flags fly outside St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Granville during Pelotonia 2017.
Riders head east on Licking County Road 539 towards Granville during Pelotonia 2017.
Spectators ring bells as they cheer for riders at the Pelotonia finish line at Kenyon College in Gambier in 2017.
Cate Warnement, 18, of Columbus writes a name on the board of rider tributes during the Pelotonia opening ceremony at McFerson Commons in 2018.
One hundred and 180-mile riders line up for an early start during Pelotonia in 2018.
Riders line a a road near New Albany during Pelotonia in 2018.
Kelly Allgeier, holding sign, came from Tampa to see her sister, Alissa Durbin, of Columbus, finish a 55-mile ride at Kenyon College in Gambier during Pelotonia on in 2018.
A rider celebrates finishing his Pelotonia ride in New Albany in 2018.
Riders start Pelotonia from North Bank Park in 2019.
Riders make their way to the starting line for Pelotonia at North Bank Park in 2019.
Pelotonia riders leave the starting line at North Bank Park in 2019.
Pelotonia riders head down High Street in 2019.
A Pelotonia rider passes a barn recently painted by "The Barn Artist" near Pickerington Ponds in 2019.
A Pelotonia rider head up a hill north of Granville on the 100-mile route in 2019.
Riders make their way to the Pelotonia finish line at Kenyon College during the Pelotonia in 2019.
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