Thousands of cyclists rolled into New Albany over the Aug. 1-2 weekend as the city served as the finish line for multiple Pelotonia routes, capping the nonprofit's 18th annual Ride Weekend benefiting cancer research at The Ohio State University's James Cancer Hospital.
Nearly 8,000 riders from 40 states and 10 countries pedaled routes ranging from 17 to 100 miles on Aug. 1, with two routes ending in New Albany: a 23-mile course finishing at New Albany Schools and a 46-mile route finishing at the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. campus. On Aug. 2, overnight riders who had pedaled to Kenyon College in Gambier the day before completed their 65-mile return leg in New Albany, while a 27-mile loop also started and finished at New Albany Schools.
"Not as many routes, but we've got our overnight riders coming from college and finishing in New Albany," Katie Wilson, Pelotonia's director of marketing and communications, told NBC4 on Aug. 1. "They'll be doing 65 miles. So, it's another opportunity to cheer on the riders."
Rolling closures, police at key intersections
The City of New Albany coordinated rolling traffic closures throughout the weekend, with police officers and trained traffic personnel managing key intersections along State Route 605, Dublin-Granville Road, Central College Road and the New Albany Links neighborhood. Emergency vehicles maintained full access both days.
More than 3,000 volunteers across the event handled medical support, bike mechanics, merchandise and food for riders. Along the New Albany routes, decorated streets and "spirit stations" where cancer patients thank riders have become a hallmark of the community's embrace of Pelotonia. New Albany has consistently produced more participants and fundraising dollars than almost any other zip code since the event's early years, according to Pelotonia organizers.
$350 million and counting
Since 2009, Pelotonia has raised more than $350 million for cancer research at the James, with 100 percent of participant-raised dollars going directly to research. Corporate sponsors cover all operational costs. In 2025, the annual total hit a record $29.2 million.
In a July 20 press release, Pelotonia CEO Joe Apgar said Ride Weekend is about giving researchers "work that wasn't possible before" and giving patients "real hope." Apgar is himself a cancer survivor, diagnosed with testicular cancer during his senior year of college and now a 16-year rider.
Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell, CEO of the James who joined the hospital in April 2025 after leading the National Cancer Institute, rode the new 17-mile downtown loop this year. She told NBC4 that Pelotonia funding supports "several innovative clinical trials" focused on rare cancers and other areas.
How to get involved
Residents who missed Ride Weekend can still donate to riders or teams at pelotonia.org. The next Pelotonia event, Gravel Day, returns Oct. 3, at Snow Fork Event Center with gravel cycling, a trail run/hike loop and new mountain biking routes.
For families, Pelotonia Kids offers youth cycling events with all funds directed to pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The program has raised more than $252,000 since launching in 2024. Free Pelotonia yard signs remain available for pickup at 29 S. High St. in New Albany and two Gahanna locations: 358 S. Hamilton Rd., Suite F, and 1374 N. Hamilton Rd.
Upcoming community calendar
- Saturday, Oct. 3 — Pelotonia Gravel Day, Snow Fork Event Center
- Ongoing — Pelotonia Kids registration and donations at pelotonia.org
- Ongoing — First Watch donating 25 cents per kids meal at 49 Ohio locations to support Pelotonia Kids throughout 2026
