ATLANTA – October 8, 2026 – Registration is open for the 2027 Carolina Hills Classic (May 2027) and California Coast Classic (September 2027), known as The Ride of a Lifetime. The fully supported multiday bike tours are among the premier national cycling destination events in the U.S. each year, and raise critical funds for the nation's number one cause of disability.
"We produce world-class events for all types of cyclists who come together each year to enjoy The Ride of a Lifetime, while raising remarkable amounts of money for the research, camps, and advocacy work done by the Arthritis Foundation every day for the millions of adults and children who live with arthritis," said Shannon Marang Cox, national senior director of the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience. "As we open up registration for our 2027 events, we want to thank everyone who worked so hard to put on these amazing events this year, especially the riders and fundraisers who invested their time and energy into our mission and this experience."
The Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience recently wrapped the 2026 California Coast Classic on October 3, 2026, following the Carolina Hills Classic that ran earlier this year. These are top national fundraising events for the Arthritis Foundation each year raising approximately $1.5 million. Funds go directly to supporting the nearly 60 million adults and children in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with arthritis. This includes funding research projects across the nation, organizing virtual and in-person seminars hosted by healthcare professionals, hosting 3-5 day camps for children with Juvenile Arthritis (JA) and more.
The 2027 events include:
● Carolina Hills Classic, May 20 to 23, 2027, starting in Asheville, North Carolina, the scenic four-day tour travels along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, through Brevard – known as the "Land of Waterfalls" – before arriving at Greenville, South Carolina, widely recognized premier destination for road cycling. Riders fundraise or self-fund $4,000 in support of Arthritis Foundation research and programs.
● California Coast Classic, September 11 - 18, 2027, the eight-day, 525-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Next year will be the 27th year as one of the Arthritis Foundation's most recognized fundraising events known as "The Ride of a Lifetime" and winner of Gran Fondo Guide's Best Charity Bike Tour Award. Riders fundraise or self-fund at least $3,500.
Each event is fully supported with travel and logistics assistance, bag transfers, comprehensive SAG crews, and a professional mechanic team, so participants can focus on the ride and fundraising. The Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience believes that movement is medicine. Each ride is 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.
"Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience events are inclusive cycling tours," Marang Cox said. "Each year, we have veteran roadies line up alongside E-bike riders, casual cyclists, trikes, and we've even had unicyclists on tour. With a robust and diligent SAG team, no rider gets left behind."
Registration details, fundraising information and Ride Your Way options for both events are available online at events.arthritis.org/cyclingexperience.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against arthritis — the nation's #1 cause of disability. Through groundbreaking scientific research, patient-centered programs, advocacy at all levels of government and robust community engagement, the Foundation empowers people to live their best lives while relentlessly pursuing a cure. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org.
About the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience
The Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience (AFCE) believes that movement is medicine, bringing together passionate cyclists to make a difference for the 1 in 4 people in the U.S. who have arthritis. AFCE produces two premier destination fundraising bike tours that fuel the Arthritis Foundation's advocacy, scientific research and life-changing programs: the Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour and the California Coast Classic Bike Tour. It also engages cyclists through Ride Your Way, a virtual option that helps people support the Foundation by enjoying any type of riding, in any location, at any time of year.
Its in-person tours are e-bike friendly and offer fully supported routes designed for cyclists of all experience levels, providing unforgettable riding experiences while making a lasting impact. The Carolina Hills Classic, held May 20 - 23, 2027, is a four-day road biking adventure across the Blue Ridge and Upstate regions of North and South Carolina that includes hotel lodging for all participants. The California Coast Classic, held Sept. 11 - 18, 2027, is an award-winning 8-day, 525-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the iconic Highway 1. For more information and to register, please visit: events.arthritis.org/cyclingexperience.
