For 15 years, the Russian River Ride has brought together a dedicated community of cyclists, supporters, and advocates who believe every child deserves to grow up safe, loved, and supported.
This year, Safe & Sound’s 15th Annual Russian River Ride will take place October 2–4, 2026, bringing riders together for a three-day, 200-mile cycling fundraiser challenge with approximately 16,000 feet of climbing, from San Francisco to the Russian River and back.
The 2026 riders start from Safe & Sound’s historic Waller Street office in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, where children and families receive critical support services. From there, they’ll ride north through the scenic roads of Northern California toward the Russian River before making the journey back to San Francisco.
Accommodations along the route are generously donated by riders themselves, who open up their own properties each year to host the group, one of the many ways this community shows up for each other, and for the families Safe & Sound serves.
15 Years of Riding. Nearly $1 Million Raised. A Lasting Impact for Children and Families.
What began in 2011 as a small group of friends riding to support Safe & Sound’s mission has grown into one of the organization’s most powerful annual fundraising events.
In 2011, co-founders Chris Keane and Daniel Morillo launched the Russian River Ride with a small group of friends who shared the belief that every child deserves a safe and nurturing childhood free from abuse and neglect. Fifteen years later, what began as a grassroots ride has grown into one of Safe & Sound’s signature fundraising events, challenging riders to conquer nearly 200 miles and 16,000 feet of climbing—all in support of children and families across San Francisco.
Over the past 15 years, the Russian River Ride community has raised nearly $1 million to support Safe & Sound’s mission, funded programs that provided families with resources, support, and connections before challenges become crises.
‘’The Russian River Ride is one of the most meaningful days on our calendar. Every rider who takes on these 200 miles is showing a family in San Francisco that someone believes in them. Fifteen years later, this community has proven that prevention, not just intervention, is possible when people show up.'”— Dr. Pegah Faed, CEO, Safe & Sound
Year after year, cyclists return to take on the challenge, not only to test their endurance, but to raise critical funds and awareness for reducing and preventing the impact of childhood abuse, neglect and trauma and providing family support services and programs that strengthen children and families throughout San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area
The impact of this incredible community extends far beyond the Ride. In 2025 alone, Safe & Sound served 11,754 children and caregivers. Over the past 25 years, our work has helped reduce child abuse by 69% and foster care entries by 51% in San Francisco.
We are grateful to our 2026 Russian River Ride sponsors for their generous partnership and commitment to our mission. Their support helps make this extraordinary event possible and ensures that riders can continue to make a meaningful impact for children and families.
Greenberg Traurig
BDO
Mazlo
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultant
Kean’s Law Firm
As we celebrate 15 years of the Russian River Ride, there are several ways to be part of it: Support a Rider/Become a sponsor/Donate. Together, we ride for safe kids, strong families, and sound communities.
