The 2026 Ride for Relief is an exciting 10 day bike ride that aims at raising awareness and funds for those fighting ALS.

Sign up to ride, donate, volunteer and learn more HERE.

Thank you for your support! It is because of generous donors like you that we can continue to help support families living with ALS.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT THE RIDE
What is Ride for Relief?
Ride for Relief is a multi-day charity cycling event traveling from Atlanta, GA to New Orleans, LA. It’s organized by Journey for a Purpose in partnership with FACT Relief, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports families facing catastrophic illness. The inaugural ride is dedicated to Chandler and Peri Schaefer and was inspired by John Campbell and the Always Love Strong movement.

Is this ride affiliated with Families and Communities Together (FACT) Relief?
Sort of. Charlie McDaniel and Ride for Relief have partnered with FACT Relief, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit to help organize the ride, as well as manage the platform for donations. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

When does the ride take place and how many miles is it?
The race will start on October 27th, 2026 in Smyrna, GA at the Silver Comet Trailhead. The ride covers approximately 550 miles from Atlanta to New Orleans.

What route does the ride follow?
The route runs from the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga Trail corridor through Anniston, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Demopolis, Alabama, then on through Meridian, Quitman, Laurel, Hattiesburg, and Poplarville, Mississippi, before finishing in Slidell and New Orleans, Louisiana.

DONATIONS & FUNDRAISING
Where does my donation go?
100% of donations go to FACT Relief’s Always Love Strong Fund, which is a part of our Neurological Diseases Fund.  This program helps pay medical bills and uninsured expenses on behalf of families facing catastrophic illness.

Do riders need to fundraise individually?
For our inaugural ride, we are not asking riders to commit to a certain amount raised, yet hope they are able to raise enough to cover their own expenses. Our platform offers the ability to start your own team, which will create a page for you to direct your peers to donate in support of your ride.

Can I support this event without registering to be a rider?
Yes. You can support the ride with a direct donation through the event’s GiveSmart page without participating in the ride itself.

Are sponsorships available?
Yes. We offer four sponsorship tiers:
Trailblazer ($250),
Pavement Patron ($500),
Mile Marker ($1,000), and
Presenting/Title Sponsor ($2,500).

In-kind sponsorships are also accepted and can be credited toward these tiers. Contact FACT Relief for more details. (jparker@factrelief.org).

RIDING & PARTICIPATION
Who can ride?
This is a multi-day, long-distance ride, so participants should have experience riding 50+ miles in a day and feel comfortable handling varied road conditions, from country highways to city traffic.

What’s included if I register as a rider?
Registration as a rider includes lodging, meals, rest stops, support vehicle/SAG support, mechanical support and social media mentions.

What if I can’t ride the full route?
We would still love to have you! Join us for all or part of the route. We get it, life is hectic and you might not be able to commit to the entire race. If you’d like to join us for one, two or more legs that fit into your lifestyle, that’s fine, just let us know!

Is there a support vehicle or SAG support along the route?
Yes. We will travel with a support vehicle, prepped with medical aid along the entire route.

What’s the cancellation or refund policy?
We’ll communicate promptly with riders about any changes, cancellations, or unforeseen issues, and refunds will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

LOGISTICS
Where will riders stay each night?
Lodging is being arranged in advance for each leg of the route. Riders will receive specific accommodations as part of the full day-by-day itinerary before the ride begins.

What should I bring?
As an experienced rider, you know your needs best. Bring your regular cycling gear. We will provide snacks and most meals.

Is there a rider orientation or kickoff event?
We will meet the morning of October 27th at the Silver Comet Trailhead in Smyrna, GA. We encourage you to bring your friends and family to send us all of with cheers and great vibes to kick off this amazing event. The exact address will be updated her soon, stay tuned!

CONTACT & FOLLOW ALONG
Who do I contact with questions?
Reach out to Kelly Foster at kfoster@factrelief.org for more information.

How can I follow along or share about the ride?
Follow @factrelief on Instagram and Facebook

Where can I learn more about FACT Relief?
Visit factrelief.org to learn more about their mission and the families they support.