Bike Newport’s 10-Spot Ride returns Saturday, Aug. 29, for its seventh year, with riders pedaling between secret locations across the city over 5.5 hours.
The event pairs ten properties with 15 chefs and restaurants and 20 live musical performances, all reached by bicycle. Participants pick their own order and route and decide how long to linger at each stop. The locations stay secret until the day of the event — riders get their starting assignment the day before and find the rest on GPS-coded maps at check-in.
New this year is “The 10th Spot,” a final location where all participants gather together for the first time. The site is still under wraps, but organizers describe it as one of the most beautiful places in Newport. The band Leaving Irene will play, joined by session guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, who recently moved to Rhode Island.
Kortchmar called Bike Newport “a big piece of what makes Newport the place it is,” adding, “We couldn’t be happier to be part of this day.”
The ride began in 2020 as a way to socialize during the pandemic shutdown and has grown into a citywide event. The League of American Bicyclists named Bike Newport its national Bicycle Advocacy Organization of the Year in 2021, citing the inaugural 10-Spot Ride in part.
“Music, food, bikes, and beautiful places add up to an unusual and fun fundraiser,” said Bike Newport Board Chair Peter Coriander. “We love throwing this citywide party.”
The Preservation Society of Newport County, a partner since the event began, is this year’s presenting sponsor. Marketing Director Kevin O’Leary tied the partnership to sustainability, saying encouraging people to see Newport by bike cuts emissions and eases seasonal traffic.
Executive Director Bari Freeman described it as “a day of family and friends, with varying biking skills and styles, riding together short distances in a truly beautiful and historic place.”
The ride is capped at 300 participants. Ticket information is at bikenewportri.org/10-spot-ride-2026. Proceeds support Bike Newport’s education, advocacy and community programs.
