Sorry – CANCELLED! Madison’s 2026 Big Ride for Palestine: a fundraiser for Middle East Children’s Alliance
Riders for Palestine,
It is with heavy hearts, and after careful deliberation, that we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s organized in-person ride.
Over the past several days, we have closely monitored the Air Quality Index and wildfire smoke forecast for this weekend. Current forecasts indicate that air quality on Sunday, July 19, 2026, is expected to reach hazardous levels. Exposure to wildfire smoke can pose serious health risks for everyone—not only those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Because the safety and well-being of our community must come first, we cannot responsibly move forward with a marshaled group ride under these conditions.
We recognize that this decision may be disappointing. We share that disappointment, especially given the importance of gathering together in solidarity and the significance of this event.
We will still gather at Olin Park at 10:00 a.m. for riders to pick up their shirts and bike decorations, and we hope that if you stop by you’ll have a slice of watermelon and some cold brew. Depending on conditions at that time, a small number of individuals may choose to ride the route independently. Please note that any such ride will be unmarshaled, and participation is entirely at each person’s own discretion and assessment of their health and comfort with the air quality. Others are welcome to coordinate their own ride for Palestine at another time as conditions improve. We’ll be at the end of the park closest to the Capitol, near Lakeside St, Edgewater Ct, and the City Trails bike path. A map showing our gathering point is on the Madison team page at https://tinyurl.com/MadisonRide4Palestine. Our hoped-for route is also posted there if you would like to ride it on your own or with friends at a later time.
If you would rather not come to Olin on Sunday, please contact Donna at 608-235-7870 or dwallbaum@gmail.com to arrange an alternative pickup time to get your shirt. We’ll draw the 4 door prize winners from the list of registered riders and they will also be available to pick up at Olin. If your name is drawn and we don’t see you on Sunday, your prixe will be with your shirt when you pick it up later.
While this year’s organized ride has been canceled, our commitment to justice remains unchanged. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine and with displaced and oppressed peoples around the world.
Collectively you have already raised more than $13.000 for desperately needed humanitarian aid!! None of us could have written that check alone, and it is your willingness to fundraise and donate as a group that has made this possible. The donation link on the ride page will remain active for a full month so you can continue to share it and your pages with friends in the days to come. Thank you for standing publicly in solidarity with the children of Gaza, and for reaching out to the friends and family members whose donations are on their way to Gaza now. Please know that your participation in this ride was successful!
If you’re interested in helping to plan the ride next year please contact Cassandra by text or email at 608–445-0357 or madisontogaza@gmail.com. We would love to have your help.
We are heartbroken for our planet, for the First Nations communities devastated by the fires, and for the massive climate impact of Israel’s Genocide and bombardment of Gaza.
And we are beyond grateful to all of you, both collectively and individually. We hope that next year will find us with clearer skies, and that you will join us again in this ride of solidarity.
Thank You!!
Contact: Cassandra, madisontogaza@gmail.com, 608 445-0357
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Sunday, 19 July
Madison area cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the 2026 Middle East Children’s Alliance Big Ride for Palestine, presented by Madison-Rafah Sister City Project.
Madison riders can visit Madison’s team page at https://tinyurl.com/MadisonRide4Palestine to register to ride with the Madison-Rafah Team on MECA’s ride website. The Madison Ride is scheduled for July 19 and Registration is Now Open!
We are working to choose a Madison route that accommodates both a short family ride and a longer option, with a minimum of road construction, so be assured that regardless of your age and level of biking energy, this ride is for you! .
Have a conflict with the date? You don’t have to ride on the 19th to participate as part of the Madison team! As much as we hope to have you with us on July 19th, we understand that summer is a busy time so if you’d prefer to ride on your own or with friends at another time that’s more convenient for you that’s fine! Go ahead and register, then just reach out to us about picking up your t-shirt.
Want to volunteer to make the ride great this year? We Need You!! We are so grateful to everyone who helped make the ride successful, fun and safe last year. If you’d like to help out with planning, publicizing, networking with bikers, handing out snacks, water and bike decorations, and cheering on and welcoming our riders, we would be extremely grateful for your help and energy!! Please contact Cassandra at madisontogaza@gmail.com, or 608-445-0357.
MECA works to protect the lives, rights, and well-being of children in Palestine and Lebanon. After over 76 years of ethnic cleansing, displacement, and attacks on their lives and livelihoods, Palestinians remain steadfast on their land and fiercely committed to the cause of freedom and liberation. Riding is an act of solidarity with Palestinian communities as they struggle to protect their children’s lives and their culture from erasure. As Israel’s blockade and genocidal assault on Gaza and Lebanon continues, our support is needed more urgently than ever.
You can learn more about MECA’s humanitarian work at https://www.mecaforpeace.org, and for questions about the Madison event please contact Cassandra at madisontogaza@gmail.com, or 608 445-0357.
Sponsored by Madison-Rafah Sister City Project and Palestine Partners. Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/share/189NsF4YKb/
Contact: Cassandra, madisontogaza@gmail.com, 608 445-0357
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NEW updates on June 4th:
The Sunday, July 19 Big Ride for Palestine is just weeks away!
For the third time, we are joining with the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) in their annual bike ride fundraiser for emergency aid to Palestine and Lebanon.
The route has been determined, registration is OPEN and we are signing up volunteers to help out on the day of the ride. If you think you can help, please view the options and sign up here.
Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome at this family-friendly event. To register for the ride, or just to support it with a donation, visit the Madison team page and follow the directions.
Everyone who registers by July 15 will receive a Ride for Palestine T-shirt. Riders are encouraged to register now and build support for their personal ride among friends, family, and colleagues to make this year’s event even more successful than last year, when the Madison ride raised over $16,000 for desperately needed emergency relief in Gaza.
Designed to be family-friendly and open to everyone regardless of biking ability, the ride has both short (5 mile) and longer (8.5 mile) options. It will begin at 10 am with a brief sendoff at the north end of Olin Park on the south shore of Lake Monona.Riders will then follow the Wingra Creek bike path to Midland Park, a distance of about 2.5 miles. They can then choose to take a break, or to continue on for another 3.5 mile loop around Henry Vilas Zoo before returning together to Olin Park. The ride is expected to conclude by 2 pm.
The closest Park entrance is Lakeside Street.
Bike decorations, watermelon and ice water will be available at Olin Park, and participants are encouraged to wear kuffiyas and decorate bikes in solidarity with the children of Palestine and Lebanon. The ride is free and open to the public, and anyone is welcome to come cheer on or join the riders.
In addition to MRSCP and Palestine Partners, the event is co-sponsored by Madison Jewish Voice for Peace, Madison Mennonite Action, WORT FM Community Radio, Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement, Veterans for Peace Madison — Clarence Kailin Chapter 25, Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America, Madison for a World BEYOND War, Families for Justice Dane County, UW Madison Students for Justice in Palestine, Madison trans* intergenerational mutual aid project, and Interfaith Peace Working Group.
Check the Facebook event for any updates.
As always, thanks for your support and we hope to see you on July 19!
Barb O. for MRSCP
