Beyond partner organizations and sponsors, The Ride is open to individual pilgrims — people who want to travel the route themselves, join the community events at each stop, and be part of a historic effort in the final two weeks before the election.
Pilgrims can join for either six-day leg or for the full twelve-day journey from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans. The October 17 orientation and training day in Washington is included in Leg One and the Full Journey.
Sat Oct 17 – Thu Oct 22, 2026
From the Washington, D.C. training day through the Rock Hill, Winnsboro and Sumter, South Carolina stop.
Fri Oct 23 – Wed Oct 28, 2026
From Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia through New Orleans, Louisiana — the tour’s culminating stop.
Sat Oct 17 – Wed Oct 28, 2026
The complete route, from the Washington, D.C. training day through New Orleans, Louisiana.
For the full duration of the leg or journey you register for.
Community events, church gatherings, HBCU convenings, and music and art activations at each stop.
The Ride’s organizers select the hotels and make the reservations for the group. (Riders pay their own hotel bill.)
The Ride sets the locations and makes the reservations; riders pay their own hotel costs.
Wherever possible, at Black-owned businesses along the route.
Washington, D.C. for Leg One or the Full Journey; Augusta, Georgia for Leg Two. And travel home from your ending city.
Pilgrims are part of the journey the documentary records, riding alongside partner organizations, original 1961 Freedom Riders and the traveling Art Bus team. The film blends verité tour footage, 1961 archival material and sit-down interviews.
Some of the 1961 Freedom Riders will meet the buses along the route — many of whom remain engaged in the fight to transform America.
Choose your option
Leg One, Leg Two, or the Full Journey.
Tell us you’re interested
Share your details and we’ll follow up with costs, hotels and how to hold your seat.
Register and ride
Once you’re registered we’ll send hotel details, a packing and logistics guide, and your leg’s schedule ahead of departure.
Questions about legs, hotels or logistics? Ask on the form and we’ll come back to you.
