Table of Contents
- CycleNation – Heart and Brain Health
- Tour de Cure – Stop Diabetes
- Bike MS – Fighting Multiple Sclerosis
- AIDS/LifeCycle – A Journey to End HIV/AIDS
- Ride for Missing Children – Honoring Young Lives
- How to Get Involved
Give Back This Season—One Ride at a Time
Cycling is more than just a ride—it’s a movement. Whether you’re pedaling along a scenic trail or pushing through a challenging route, your ride can have a purpose beyond personal fitness. Across the country, cyclists are coming together to raise funds, increase awareness, and support causes that change lives.
This February, in the spirit of "falling in love with cycling," consider joining a ride that makes a difference. Whether you want to support medical research, raise awareness, or help protect the next generation, there’s an event where every mile you ride contributes to something bigger than yourself.
Here are five inspiring charity bike rides happening in 2024, each with a mission that turns passion into action.
1. CycleNation – Pedaling for Heart and Brain Health
Heart disease and stroke remain two of the leading causes of death in the U.S., but cycling is a powerful tool for prevention. CycleNation, organized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, gives riders the chance to actively fight these conditions while enjoying the health benefits of biking.
Unlike traditional cycling events, CycleNation offers multiple ways to participate. You can hit the open road, join a stationary cycling session at a local studio, or even set up a virtual ride from home. This flexibility allows anyone, regardless of fitness level or experience, to take part in the movement.
Why Ride?
- Funds go toward life-saving heart and stroke research.
- Events promote brain and heart health awareness.
- Ride in a way that works for you—on the road, indoors, or virtually.
Find an event near you and be part of a movement dedicated to a healthier future.
2. Tour de Cure – Riding to Stop Diabetes
For over three decades, Tour de Cure has been the signature cycling event of the American Diabetes Association. Each event is locally organized, meaning no two rides are exactly alike, and every route is designed with safety and community in mind.
Safety is a top priority, with well-marked routes, GPS maps, bike mechanics on standby, and rest stops every 10–15 miles. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just starting out, Tour de Cure provides a fully supported, welcoming environment.
Why Ride?
- Raise funds to support diabetes research, advocacy, and education.
- Choose from various route options, all designed to be fully supported.
- Be part of a nationwide community committed to fighting diabetes.
Every pedal stroke helps push toward a cure.
3. Bike MS – Fighting Multiple Sclerosis One Mile at a Time
Each year, nearly 40,000 cyclists take part in Bike MS, the largest fundraising cycling series in the world dedicated to multiple sclerosis research and support. Whether you’re riding 30 miles or pushing past 100, every mile you conquer brings hope to those living with MS.
This ride directly funds breakthrough research, supports MS Navigator® programs, and helps amplify the voices of MS activists. The National MS Society has invested over $1.1 billion into research, paving the way for life-changing treatments.
Why Ride?
- Your efforts help provide direct support to people living with MS.
- Rides take place in various locations, with fully supported routes.
- Join a passionate community working to end MS for good.
Be part of a movement that makes an impact far beyond the finish line.
4. AIDS/LifeCycle – A Journey to End HIV/AIDS
One of the most legendary charity bike rides in the country, AIDS/LifeCycle is a seven-day, 545-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This event raises millions each year for HIV/AIDS services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Since the ride began in 1994 (originally as the California AIDS Ride), participants have raised more than $300 million to fund critical services such as free HIV/AIDS medical care, testing, and prevention programs. Despite medical advancements, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is far from over, and this ride serves as both a fundraiser and an awareness campaign.
Why Ride?
- Ride 545 miles through California’s breathtaking coastal scenery.
- Fund HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and medical services.
- Join a close-knit community of riders, volunteers, and advocates.
With each mile, riders honor those lost to HIV/AIDS while working toward a future without the disease.
5. Ride for Missing Children – Honoring and Protecting Young Lives
What began as a tribute to a missing child has grown into a national effort to raise awareness and funds for child safety and abduction prevention. Ride for Missing Children events, organized by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), educate communities and support families affected by missing children cases.
The ride is a solemn yet powerful event where cyclists ride in silence to honor those who have vanished. Funds raised help print and distribute missing children's posters, support search campaigns, and provide essential resources for affected families.
Why Ride?
- Directly supports efforts to recover missing children.
- Raises awareness about child safety in communities nationwide.
- Builds a network of support for families of missing individuals.
Together, we can continue to be a beacon of hope for those searching for their loved ones.
How to Get Involved
Not sure where to start? Here’s how to choose the right charity ride for you:
- Pick a cause that matters to you. Whether it's medical research, community support, or child safety, find a mission that inspires you.
- Find a ride that fits your ability. Many of these events offer different route lengths and levels of difficulty, so you can choose the right challenge.
- Join a training group. Many communities have cycling groups that train together for charity events, making it easier to prepare.
- Fundraise with purpose. Most events provide easy-to-use fundraising tools to help you meet your goal.
Fall in Love with Cycling—and Giving Back
Biking is about more than just staying active. It’s about coming together, making a difference, and riding toward a better future. Whether you're tackling long miles for a cause or supporting an effort in your community, your participation makes an impact.
Which ride will you take on this year? Let us know how you're making a difference.