Pedal the Cause 2026 — New Riders

Sept. 19 & 20, 2026 • Family Arena, St. Charles MO

Anyone Can Ride to End Cancer. Seriously.

Pedal the Cause is a charity bike ride that funds cancer research in St. Louis. If you can pedal a bike and you want to end cancer, you belong here.

$56M+

Raised Since 2010

267

Research Projects

100%

Goes to Research

Routes to Choose

What Is Pedal the Cause?

Pedal the Cause is a community bike ride — not a race — that funds cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Every dollar raised goes straight to research. Not overhead. Not admin costs. Research.

Pick a route, set up a fundraising page, share the link, and show up in September. There's a finish-line festival with food, live music, and cold beer. Most riders wouldn't call themselves "cyclists" — they're just people who wanted to do something that matters.

Register & Pick a Route

Registration opens April 1. Choose anywhere from 10 to 100 miles, or join the Spin Zone on a stationary bike. Shorter routes are flat and completely closed to traffic.

Fundraise for Research

You get a personal fundraising page the moment you register. Share the link with friends and family — most riders hit their minimum ($375 for shorter routes) faster than they expect. PTC offers coaching if you want help.

Ride & Celebrate

Show up at Family Arena. Ride your route, cross the finish line, grab lunch and a beer — and know that every dollar you raised is going directly to cancer research.

Registration & Pricing

The earlier you sign up, the less you pay. All registration fees cover event operations — 100% of what you fundraise goes to research.

Early Bird

April 1 – 17

$100

All road courses & Spin

Advance

April 18 – July 15

$135

All road courses & Spin

Standard

July 16 – Event Week

$175

All road courses & Spin

$100

Under 30
year-round

$55

Inspired
(Virtual)

$35

Kids
Challenge

Volunteer

Fundraising minimums: $375 for routes under 40 miles & 1-hr Spin · $500 for 40+ miles & 2-hr Spin · $200 Inspired · None for Kids Challenge

Choose Your Route

New to this? The 10-mile PTC Circuit or 21-mile PTC Classic are where most first-timers start. Not a road rider? Try the Spin Zone.

miles

PTC Circuit Start Here Easy

The go-to for beginners. All roads closed to traffic, practically flat. Ages 10+.

▲ 273 ft elevationRoad Ride

miles

PTC Classic Fan Favorite Easy–Mod

14 miles are traffic-free with gentle terrain. A great step up from the Circuit if you want a bit more. Ages 13+.

▲ 348 ftRoad Ride

miles

PTC Pacer Moderate

Gentle terrain with sections of the Katy Trail and 14 miles of traffic-free riding. A solid step up without being punishing.

▲ 420 ftRoad Ride

miles

Ted Jones Katy Classic Easy

A scenic out-and-back along the beautiful Katy Trail honoring conservationist Ted Jones. Flat and nature-filled. Ages 10+.

▲ Flat trailTrail

miles

Big Hitter Moderate

Rolls through St. Charles City and County with open countryside and some real views. For riders ready to push.

▲ 568 ftRoad Ride

miles

Metric Century Moderate

Flat farmland keeps this 100K surprisingly doable. A popular "stretch" goal for intermediate riders.

▲ 616 ftRoad Ride

100

miles

River Bluff Century Challenging

The full century. Fast, scenic, and built for riders who love wide-open roads. Serious bragging rights when you cross the line.

▲ 750 ftRoad Ride

spin

Spin Zone Any Level

Ride a stationary bike at the event with the full rider experience — Taste the Cause, finish line festival, live music, all of it. No road required.

On-SiteStationary

virtual

Inspired (Virtual) Any Level

Ride from anywhere — your neighborhood, a local trail, a gym. You set your own goal and still fundraise for the cause.

Ride AnywhereRemote

Key Dates

The stuff you actually need to put on your calendar.

April 1, 2026	Registration opens Sign up early for the lowest rate and a head start on fundraising.
Spring – Summer	Free group training rides Optional, but great if you want to build up mileage before the event.
August 2026	Final training ride Dress rehearsal. Test your gear and your legs.
Sept. 19 & 20	Event Weekend Family Arena, St. Charles, MO. Ride, celebrate, be part of something bigger.
October 31, 2026	Fundraising ends $375 minimum for routes under 40 mi / $500 for 40+ mi. Most riders hit it well before the deadline.

It's a Weekend Celebration, Not Just a Ride

Every registered rider and spinner gets access to the entire weekend. The riding is Sunday, but Saturday is a whole thing — food from St. Louis's best restaurants, live music, a processional honoring cancer survivors, and fireworks. Ask any veteran rider: Saturday night is their favorite part.

Saturday, Sept. 19

The Party

8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Kids Challenge

Ages 3–13 ride loops on a closed course. Food, entertainment, Discovery Zone, t-shirt, and goodie bag included. $35 registration, no fundraising required.

4 – 7 p.m.

Packet Pickup & Pedal Partner Alley

Grab your rider packet, get your bike tuned up, and check out the PTC Shop and sponsor booths.

4 – 7 p.m.

Taste the Cause

The signature Saturday evening event. Food and drink from the region's best — past partners include Salt + Smoke, Hi-Pointe, Fitz's, and Companion. Live music, cold drinks, and a crowd that's there for the right reasons.

4 – 7 p.m.

Live Music

Local bands play throughout the evening while you eat and mingle.

6:40 p.m.

Living Proof Processional

Cancer survivors, thrivers, and fighters walk through the crowd. One of the most powerful moments of the weekend.

7 – 7:45 p.m.

Inspirational Program & Fireworks

The evening wraps with speakers, stories of impact, and a fireworks send-off before ride day.

Sunday, Sept. 20

Ride Day

6 – 10 a.m.

Breakfast Bar & Late Packet Pickup

Coffee from Kaldi's, breakfast from Companion, plus last-minute bike maintenance and rentals.

7 – 9:45 a.m.

Rides Depart

Staggered start times for all routes. You'll roll out from Family Arena with your group.

8 – 10:30 a.m.

Lindsey's Spin Zone

Prefer stationary? Join the outdoor spin session at the venue while the road riders are out.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Post-Ride Lunch & Celebration

Lunch from Salt + Smoke, Hi-Pointe Drive-In, UKraft, Fitz's, and Moon's Treats. Cross the finish line and celebrate with live music from local bands.

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Live Music & PTC Shop

Grab some merch, hang out, and soak in the finish-line atmosphere.

About Taste the Cause

The Saturday evening gathering where the whole PTC community comes together. Top-tier food, desserts from Ann & Allen and Park Avenue Coffee, drinks from Kaldi's and Fitz's — all outdoors, festival-style. If you're on the fence about registering, this alone is worth showing up for.

Every Dollar You Raise Funds Cancer Research.

100% of rider-raised funds go directly to Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Operations are covered separately. Your money funds research — nothing else.

$56M+

Raised since 2010

267

Research projects

100%

To research

Years running

Questions You Probably Have

Absolutely. The 10-mile Circuit is flat and closed to traffic — some people walk parts of it. PTC also hosts free group training rides all summer so you can build up at your own pace.

Easier than you'd think. You get a personal fundraising page when you register — just share the link. The minimum is $375 for routes under 40 miles and $500 for longer routes. PTC also offers fundraising coaching and tips to help you get there.

There are two costs: a registration fee and a fundraising minimum. Registration is $100 if you sign up by April 17, $135 from April 18 – July 15, and $175 after that (riders under 30 pay $100 flat year-round). Separately, you commit to fundraising at least $375 (routes under 40 mi & 1-hr Spin) or $500 (40+ mi & 2-hr Spin). The Inspired virtual ride has a $200 minimum, and the Kids Challenge has none. Registration fees cover operations — 100% of what you fundraise goes to research.

Absolutely. You can create a team, join an existing one, or just register solo and meet people at the training rides.

Register as "Inspired" and ride from anywhere — your neighborhood, a local trail, a stationary bike. You still fundraise, still get the gear, and you're still part of the community.

PTC offers bike rentals available for pick up at the event on Sunday morning, or exclusive bike deals (starting at $309) from our friends at Big Shark Bicycles. Once you register, you'll receive all the info in your confirmation email.

The Kids Challenge (ages 3–13) has short looped courses, food, entertainment, and no fundraising commitment — it's a great family day. Kids ages 10+ can also ride the PTC Circuit and the Ted Jones Katy Classic, and kids 13+ are welcome on any adult ride.

Registration Opens April 1.

Pick a route. Share your page. Show up in September. That's the whole thing.