Loop the Lake 2026
2026 Loop the Lake Benefit Bike Ride
Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s 14th Annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride, presented by Lake Ridge Bank. Loop the Lake is an at-your-own-pace bike ride around Lake Monona on Saturday, June 20th that raises funds to protect and preserve Greater Madison’s lakes. Make a day of it while you enjoy entertaining and educational activities at many parks along the route.
Event details
Cyclists of all ages and abilities navigate the scenic 13-mile loop around Lake Monona.
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 Starting & ending at Olbrich Park (3527 Atwood Avenue, Madison) Course open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (optional group start at 9 a.m.) $48 (includes event shirt) per rider and $38 (without event shirt) per rider (through June 13th), kids 10 and under ride free with a paid adult Get a group to ride – purchase 6 adult registrations and receive a 25% discount!
Registration includes
Fun and educational stops (see information below) Food cart item Free beverage, including beer, seltzer, soda, or lemonade, at the Clean Lakes Alliance tent.
Loop the Lake is more than a bike ride – it’s an opportunity for our community to connect with our lakes! Event proceeds will support Clean Lakes Alliance’s work to protect and improve our lakes through on-the-ground projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring.
You can also choose to ride, walk, run, or paddle from anywhere, at any time! Register for the virtual option for $58 and we’ll mail your shirt!
Sign up below to become a 2026 Loop the Lake sponsor
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
About the Ride
Join us on the official Monona Lake Loop by starting and ending at Olbrich Park (3527 Atwood Avenue, Madison) on Saturday, June 20th, 2026. The course will be open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. so that riders can ride at their own convenience. An optional group start will take place at 9 a.m. Riders will travel 13 miles clockwise around Lake Monona. Most recreational bikers will finish in around two hours.
You can also choose to ride, walk, run, or paddle virtually, from anywhere at any time!
Click here to access the digital version of the Loop the Lake route map
During the ride
- This is a relaxed, fun, at-your-own-pace ride. Please follow course markings, watch for detours, be careful of cars sharing the road, wear a helmet, and obey all traffic laws.
- Watch for fun stops along the route – see information below
- Make sure you complete the course by 2 p.m. to use your free food cart item and drink tickets
- Bike repairs stations located at Schluter Park and Off Broadway Drafthouse
Stops along the route (2025)
List of 2026 stops coming in early 2026
- Olbrich Park – 8:40 to 8:50 a.m. – barre3 will lead a stretching session for participants. Visit with Madison Water Utility — they will be on hand with their traveling water wagon.
- San Damiano – Take a scenic detour to Monona Parks’ newest lakefront property, now a public park rich in history. Enjoy peaceful views, grab a drink at the water station, or cheer on Loop the Lake riders from this beautiful spot.
- Schluter Park – Stop by for a sweet slice of watermelon, courtesy of the Monona Police Department
- Winnequah Park – Education station with Aldo Leopold Nature Center – learn about small aquatic critters in our lakes
- Grand Crossing Park – Enjoy festive music, yard games, and kids’ activities
- Off Broadway Drafthouse – get a free root beer float and water, or purchase a cold beverage
- Olin Park (join us in the wedge between the park and the bike path) – visit with Madison LakeWay and enjoy a water station
- BB Clarke Beach Park – enjoy water and snacks
- Hudson Park – learn about the history and significance of this sacred site from expert guides from Ho-Chunk Nation and UW-Madison in this special effigy mound educational stop
- Olbrich Park – enjoy a free food cart item from one of Greater Madison’s favorite food carts, and enjoy a a complimentary beverage – choose from Michelob Ultra, Ultra Zero, or Ultra Seltzer (21+), or a non-alcoholic option at the Clean Lakes Alliance tent
Registration
Registration includes a free food card item and a free beer or seltzer (21+), courtesy of Wisconsin Distributors. Your registration supports critical work by Clean Lakes Alliance to keep our lakes at the top of the community agenda.
Registration: $48 (includes event shirt) per in-person rider. $38 (without event shirt) per in-person rider. FREE for children 10 & under with purchase of adult registration.
If you would like a shirt size that isn’t listed, please email us at info@cleanlakesalliance.org.
Registrations are transferable but non-refundable. Loop the Lake is held rain or shine! In the event of cancellation, registrations and sponsorships will not be refunded. Your registration will be considered a donation to Clean Lakes Alliance. Thank you!
Loop the Lake t-shirt sizing
Adult unisex t-shirt sizes
Children’s t-shirt sizes
T-shirt distribution
Please select your t-shirt size by Wednesday, May 1st to make sure you receive your t-shirt before the event. T-shirts can be mailed to your home or business if you select the $58 ticket option.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP TIMES:
- POSSIBLE – Wednesday, June 17th, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Verex Plaza. We will be set up in the front driveway – just pull your car up and we will get you your ride packet.
- POSSIBLE – Friday, June 19th, Noon-6 p.m. Packet pickup will take place in front of The Biergarten at Olbrich Park (3527 Atwood Avenue, Madison).
DAY OF PICKUP: Pick up your shirt the day of the event on Saturday, June 20th at Olbrich Park (3527 Atwood Avenue, Madison) from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Bike repair along the route
- Bike repairs stations are located at Schluter Park, Off Broadway Drafthouse, and Grand Crossing Park.
Food carts at Olbrich Park
- Full list of 2026 food cart options will be released in early 2026
Loop the Lake volunteering
Our annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride brings hundreds of community members to rally around our lakes every year. Volunteers are needed for set up, registration, packet pick-up, water stations, beverage tents, bike repair, and more! As a thank you, all volunteers will receive a Loop the Lake t-shirt and a meal and beverage ticket. Volunteer signup coming in April 2026.
Traveling for Loop the Lake?
Whether you are traveling to the area for the weekend or want to plan a “staycation,” our friends at Discover Monona have got you covered. See the list below for variety of options to spend the weekend in our community!
- AmericInn by Wyndham Madison South
- Avid Hotels Madison – Monona
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson (receive a 28% discount with this link) Use rate plan code: LLTL
- Airbnb
- Vrbo
- Expedia
For more information visit discovermonona.com
Access for all
With help from MESBA, Clean Lakes Alliance is dedicated to making the 2025 Loop the Lake more accessible to all community members. Here are some options for this year’s ride:
- Rent an e-bike from Madison BCycle with special discounted pricing (option in registration)
- If you are in need of financial assistance, please request a Community Pass for free registration – Community Passes will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Please make any financial assistance requests through this Google form.
Participant safety
Be safe during the Loop the Lake Bike Ride! Obey all traffic laws, be careful of cars sharing the road, and wear a helmet. Participants should obey all social distancing guidelines.
What to bring
Riders are encouraged to wear a bike helmet and sunscreen, and to bring their own reusable water bottle.
Event parking
There will be very limited parking available at Olbrich Park. There is also nearby street parking. (View the Google street map.) You can also bike or bus to the event. The Capital City Trail runs near Olbrich Park and City of Madison buses have bike racks.
Terms & conditions
By registering for Loop the Lake, you agree to our Terms & Conditions of Entry.
Refund policy
Registrations are transferable but non-refundable. In the event of cancellation, registrations and sponsorships will not be refunded. Thank you for your donation to Clean Lakes Alliance!
Weather conditions
Please be prepared for the weather with appropriate clothing and sun protection. Loop the Lake will be held rain or shine! However, should unsafe weather conditions arise, we will notify riders of event cancellation by email.
Sponsorships
If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact our Executive Director, James Tye, at james@cleanlakesalliance.org or 608-255-1000.
Thank you, 2025 sponsors!
Thank you to our partners!
Loop the Lake, presented by Lake Ridge Bank, is an annual event aimed at promoting the protection and preservation of Madison lakes. The event is produced along with platinum host Discover Monona, in partnership with Madison LakeWay and Monona East Side Business Alliance (MESBA) and San Damiano Monona, and in conjunction with the City of Madison and the City of Monona. All proceeds support Clean Lakes Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the Yahara Watershed.
We’re also grateful to the following organizations for making this event special in their own unique ways: Aldo Leopold Nature Center, barre3 Madison, Curbside Bicycles, Madison BCycle, Madison Water Utility, Monona Police Department, Off Broadway Drafthouse, The Biergarten at Olbrich Park.
