CANCELED: Ride the Drive

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Kristie GoForth

Law Park during Ride the Drive 2024.

Ride the Drive

Aug. 10 update from Madison Parks: It is with a heavy heart and deep disappointment that we announce the cancellation of this year’s Ride the Drive due to inclement weather and safety concerns.

Given the complexity of organizing this event, we are unfortunately unable to offer a rain date.

We sincerely thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing you next year for a safe and successful Ride the Drive.

Whose drive? Our drive! The city of Madison has artfully figured out which streets to close to open up recreational opportunities among three park hubs. Ultimately the closures create 2.38 miles of motorized-traffic-free lanes including heavily used thoroughfares John Nolen Drive and Williamson Street. Not that you’ll be alone — last year’s participants were estimated at 12,000. John Nolen will close from Olin Avenue to Willy and Willy will be closed to Ingersoll Street. Law, McPike and Olin parks will all have activities, but use the streets while they are yours. More info below and updates at ridethedrive.com.

media release: Get ready to stroll, roll, pedal or glide at Ride the Drive 2025! Join the Madison tradition on Sunday, August 10, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, for a free community event celebrating healthy, active living.

For one day, walk, bike, skate or roll your way along the 2+ miles of closed streets between four action-packed activity hubs set in three downtown area parks. Each park hub is buzzing with games, giveaways, music, food and more! 

• Olin Park, 202 E. Lakeside Street
• Law Park West, 355 John Nolen Drive
• Law Park East, 410 S. Blair Street
• McPike Park, 210 S. Ingersoll Street

RTD goers can start at any point along the route or at a Madison Parks Info Booth located at the four park hubs to pick up the event-day map and RTD Parks Prize Pass. The Prize Pass encourages participants to stop at each park hub and play along by visiting a vendor at each park hub and securing their official stamp autograph. Completed prize passes may be dropped off at any Madison Parks Info Booth for a chance to win Parks prizes. A random drawing will be held the week following Ride the Drive. 

Four park hubs along the route offer food, entertainment, bike safety checks, water stations, and restrooms with plenty of free giveaways and all-ages activities like bike obstacle courses at Olin and McPike, bike on/off the bus demos at Law Park west and the WI DNR fishmobile at Law Park east, to name a few!

Ride the Drive is a rain or shine event; however, if there is a threat of severe weather, safety is our primary concern. If lightning or other threatening weather is expected or in the area, we may delay the start, end early or cancel the event. Any updates will be posted on RidetheDrive.com and Madison Parks' Facebook.

New this year, the Pedal Parade! Decorate your bike or stop by Law Park East to gear up, then join Madison Bikes and Machinery Row Bicycles at McPike Park before noon for a 5-mile slow-roll lap along the RTD route.

The 2.38-mile RTD route closes John Nolen Drive from Lakeside Street to S. Blair/Williamson streets and Williamson St. from S. Blair to S. Ingersoll. Access to downtown Madison and the Olin Park boat launch remains open during the event. 

• Boaters can reach the Olin Park boat launch from E. Olin Avenue through the open service gates at Turville Point Conservation Park.
• Main roads, including E. Washington Ave., E. Gorham and Johnson streets, stay open and provide options to reach the Capitol, State St. and downtown Madison. All downtown businesses will operate their regular Sunday hours. Visit Downtown Madison for more information.

Ride the Drive is organized by the City of Madison Parks Division in collaboration with numerous City agencies and local organizations and made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, including the Madison Parks Foundation. 

See RidetheDrive.com for up-to-the-minute updates and answers to the most frequently asked questions.