Lee Budin Memorial Velvet Ice Cream Ride & Picnic 2026

Join us for the Velvet Ice Cream Ride, a memorable Pelotonia Training Ride and Fundraiser presented by teamCOPC! This exciting fully supported bicycle tour kicks off and wraps up at Licking Heights Middle School in Pataskala, OH. Whether you’re seeking an easy short course or a challenging longer ride, we've got something for every cyclist preparing for Pelotonia.

The origins of the Velvet Ride stem from a 2010 joke by Dr. Lee Budin, co-founder of teamCOPC, about riding to Utica for ice cream. Sadly, we lost Lee to pancreatic cancer in October 2022. To honor his legacy, we renamed this ride in his memory.

This year marks the 13th year of our picnic event, led by the wonderful Kim Beery. Riders can choose from routes ranging from approximately 16-90 miles, with the longest ones visiting the Velvet Ice Cream Mill in Utica. Even if you’re not riding, stop by for the picnic, featuring delicious ice cream for everyone!

🔗 Sign up to volunteer or participate in the ride through our TICKETS link. Family and friends who aren’t cycling can register for the picnic from 10 am-4 pm.

🔴 Riders don’t need separate registration for the picnic; it’s included! We also welcome volunteers to help make this event special—participants will receive a Pelotonia donation that can be credited to a rider of their choice.

Let’s ride together to defeat cancer and celebrate the spirit of Lee Budin! 🎉