Arthritis Foundation Announces 2026 Cycling Experiences With Three Ways to Ride and Support the Arthritis Community

The Arthritis Foundation is preparing for its 2026 Cycling Experiences, featuring the Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour, May 14–17, the California Coast Classic Bike Tour, Sept. 26–Oct. 3, and an expanded “Ride Your Way” option. Together, these three ways to participate give cyclists and supporters nationwide the opportunity to challenge themselves, build community and raise critical funds for the nearly 60 million adults and children in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with arthritis.

The Carolina Hills Classic returns to Asheville, North Carolina, and its originally-planned route, restoring signature experiences that were unavailable due to Hurricane Helene. The four-day tour will take riders along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, through Brevard – known as the “Land of Waterfalls” – and through the historic grounds of the Biltmore Estate, before extending into the Greenville, South Carolina, region, widely recognized as a premier destination for road cycling.

Now in its 26th year, the California Coast Classic remains one of the Arthritis Foundation’s longest-running and most recognized fundraising events. The eight-day, 525-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles showcases dramatic Pacific Coast scenery, including the return of the traditional Day 4 route from Big Sur to Cambria following the reopening of Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide, closed since 2022 and often considered the most dramatic scenery appeal of the tour.

The Arthritis Foundation is expanding participation through “Ride Your Way,” a virtual option that allows supporters to fundraise and complete miles from anywhere. Designed to remove geographic and scheduling barriers, “Ride Your Way” makes the Cycling Experience more accessible, so more individuals, and teams of family and friends can join the movement, whether they ride in Asheville, along the California coast or in their own hometown.

“The Carolina Hills Classic and California Coast Classic represent the power of movement and community in action,” said Steven Taylor, president and chief executive officer of the Arthritis Foundation. “These rides bring people together from across the country to support a mission that affects millions of families, while proving that arthritis does not define what’s possible.”

Both events are part of the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience, which believes that movement is medicine. Each ride is fully supported, e-bike friendly and designed to be accessible to cyclists of varying abilities, offering training resources, fundraising support, catered meals and on-route assistance. Arthritis patients and dedicated caregivers riding for loved ones are among the passionate participants.

“Whether you’re riding along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, through the Carolina hills or participating virtually, every rider is part of something bigger,” said Shannon Marang Cox, national senior director of the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience. “These events are about unforgettable experiences, but they’re also about fueling hope and progress for those living with arthritis.”

The Arthritis Foundation also announced a new partnership with Fuel Goods, the sports nutrition marketplace designed to simplify fueling for endurance athletes. Fuel Goods CEO and Co-Founder Laura Jorgensen will serve as Mission Ambassador, while Fuel Goods will serve as the Official Fueling Partner of the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience, providing added value to riders through discounts, on-site activations, product sampling and a co-branded online store, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Foundation.

Registration details, fundraising information and Ride Your Way options for both events are available online at arthritis.org/cycling.