As the new year began, Global Ride’s Instagram was filled with New Year ride videos—not only from Japan, but also from riders living in Australia, the United States, Taiwan, Singapore, and beyond. Seeing those fresh first rides of the year from all over the world really reminded us that the riding season has kicked off globally.
Speaking of the world—true to its name, Global Ride will be sharing even more fun ride experiences from around the globe starting this year.
Our first news of the year introduces a selection of fun ride events that the Global Ride editorial team is keeping a close eye on and will be covering on location.
If any of them catch your interest, feel free to get in touch with us.
Event Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Distances: 50 km / 80 km / 110 km (Gran Fondo)
Participants: Approx. 7,000 riders
Event Website: https://tourdebrisbane.org/
Registration: https://www.nxsports.org/nxevent/tourdebrisbane/
Global Ride Feature: https://globalride.jp/category/en/event-en/world-en/tour-de-brisbane-en/
Tour de Brisbane is an urban fun ride event held on fully closed major roads throughout the city of Brisbane. The main courses are 50 km and 80 km, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone—from beginners to international participants. The 110 km course also serves as a UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier.
Highlights include riding across the iconic Gateway Bridge, which is normally off-limits to cyclists, as well as glimpses of peaceful farmland on the city outskirts. With strong tourism appeal, a high level of safety, and a solid reputation for organization, this event is consistently well regarded.
And of course, the ride isn’t complete without the post-event ritual: grabbing a beer at a riverside brewery and digging into a hearty Aussie beef steak.
Event Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
(Held annually on the first Sunday of May)
Location: Manhattan, New York City, USA
Distance: Approx. 40 miles (64 km)
Participants: Approx. 32,000 riders
Official Event Info:
https://www.bike.nyc/events/td-five-boro-bike-tour/
Registration: Same as above
Global Ride Feature: https://globalride.jp/category/en/event-en/world-en/bny-en/
This iconic route takes riders through all five boroughs of New York City—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—on completely car-free roads. The ride is world-famous for its chance to cycle through traffic-free Manhattan, passing soaring skyscrapers, legendary bridges, and locations instantly recognizable from countless movie scenes.
Riding through a city that feels packed with raw energy and a condensed sense of time, you can’t help but think, “So this is what it means to ride in New York.” The experience is nothing short of exhilarating, making it fair to call this event the pinnacle of city riding.
With around 32,000 participants, it stands as the largest fun ride event in North America.
Event Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
(Held annually on the fourth Sunday of September)
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Distances: 25 / 50 / 75 / 100 miles (approx. 40 / 80 / 120 / 160 km)
Participants: Approx. 1,200 riders
Event Website:
https://hbl.org/hcr/
Registration: Opens in late January via the website above
Global Ride Feature: https://globalride.jp/category/en/event-en/world-en/hcr-en/
With a history of more than 40 years, the Honolulu Century Ride is a pioneer of fun ride events, known for its exceptional balance of tourism and cycling. It has long attracted many experienced riders from Japan as well as cyclists from around the world.
The course showcases Hawaii’s unique natural environment, from Oahu’s stunning coastline to its dry, rugged mountain landscapes. With a wide range of distance options, riders can choose their own challenge while enjoying a deeply immersive ride that feels truly connected to nature.
The warm hospitality of the volunteer staff and the event’s consistently upbeat atmosphere are also key parts of the experience. Local food served at the aid stations is frequently mentioned as one of the highlights, adding to the overall enjoyment for riders.
Event Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Location: Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture – Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
Distances: Approx. 140 km (full course) / approx. 110 km / 70 km / 50 km, and more
Participants: Approx. 7,000 riders
Event Website: https://cycling-shimanami.jp/
Registration: https://cycling-shimanami.jp/guide-entry.html
(as of January 2026)
Cycling Shimanami is Japan’s only fun ride event that allows cyclists to ride on expressway sections, including long bridge spans. With a strong sightseeing focus and plenty of riding satisfaction, the longer courses are particularly appealing to experienced riders looking for a serious challenge.
The experience of cycling across the Seto Inland Sea, surrounded by its iconic island-dotted scenery and a series of spectacular bridges, is rare even on a global scale. Highly rated by overseas cyclists, the event is gaining attention as one of Japan’s premier destination rides.
The large-scale edition is held once every four years, with a mid-scale event taking place in the years in between. Each edition features start points in both prefectures, offering different route dynamics depending on the year.
Aid stations and lunch spots serve menus featuring local island specialties such as mandarins, lemons, free-range chicken, and beloved local comfort foods. This blend of world-class scenery, challenging riding, and regional cuisine has made Cycling Shimanami a luxurious and highly popular fun ride.
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If you have a favorite fun ride event, we’d love to hear about it.
We’re looking forward to meeting many new faces—and seeing familiar ones again—out on the road this year.
Text: Global Ride Editorial Team
Post Date：2026.01.23
