This Fourth of July feels a little extra special. In 2026, the United States marks its 250th anniversary—a quarter of a millennium since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Of course, the holiday has always been about more than history. It’s a day for gathering with family and friends, enjoying the height of summer, firing up the grill, watching fireworks, and celebrating the ideals that helped shape a young nation. Fun fact: John Adams famously predicted that Americans would celebrate independence with “pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations”—which sounds remarkably similar to today’s backyard barbecues and fireworks displays!
For indoor cycling instructors, it’s also the perfect opportunity to create a ride filled with energy, nostalgia, celebration, and a little red, white, and blue fun. So turn up the volume and dive into our Fourth of July bucket playlist (~230 songs).
The music in our Fourth of July playlist follows themes of freedom, fireworks, America, heroes, U.S. cities and states, holidays and vacations, rock ‘n’ roll, and, of course, the good old red, white, and blue. With about 225 songs to choose from, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your Independence Day profile. And if you’re looking for even more variety, be sure to explore songs from our summer bucket playlist as well.
One song you’ll definitely want to consider is a powerful anthem by an Irish-American singer that captures the idea of America striving to live up to its highest hopes and ideals. You’ll find it included in the latest version of Jennifer’s Three Climbs in America profile below.
In the meantime, here are a few of our favorite selections from the Fourth of July bucket playlist to help spark ideas for your holiday ride:
The American Way, The Crystal Method, 4:27, 96 bpm
Use this track for a hard, fast interval at 96 rpm. Why? Because “It is the American way”!
Better in the USA, Glen Frey, 3:03, 153 bpm
Glen sings about all the little things that make life better in the USA. With its upbeat energy and catchy chorus, this track practically begs riders to tap the handlebars and smile as they pedal up a brisk climb.
R.O.C.K. in the USA, John Mellencamp, 2:54, 164 bpm
This one ROCKS—literally! Packed with energy and nostalgia, it’s a perfect addition to your Fourth of July playlist. Use it for a 3-minute high-intensity interval with a steady effort throughout. If you want to spice things up, add leg surges or stand briefly during the iconic chorus.
America, Agent Orange, Mike Palm, Scott H. Miller, 1:21, 142 bpm
Short, fast, and punchy, this track is tailor-made for an anaerobic HIIT effort. Songs this brief are hard to find, making it ideal for an all-out challenge. As the lyrics proclaim, “Let’s hear it for the red, white, and blue!”
Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good), Rozalla, 3:11, 130 bpm
A hidden dance gem from the ’90s, this uplifting track is guaranteed to elevate the energy in the room. Use it for a spirited climb or any segment where you want riders to feel strong, confident, and completely caught up in the music.
National Anthem, Lana Del Rey, 3:50, 85 bpm
Dreamy and reflective, this track works beautifully as a recovery segment between harder efforts or as a closing song at the end of your ride. (Please note that the official video depicts a reenactment of the assassination of JFK.)
America the Beautiful, Ray Charles, 3:36
Few performances capture the emotion of this classic quite like Ray Charles’s. Whether you use it as your cool-down or save it for post-class music, it’s a powerful reminder of the beauty, resilience, and promise that make America worth fighting for.
Four Profiles for Your Fourth of July Celebration
Of course, if you’re busy planning holiday festivities and don’t have time to create your own Fourth of July ride, we’ve got you covered.
1. Three Climbs in America
One of our most enduring Fourth of July rides is Jennifer’s updated version of Three Climbs in America, based on one of ICA’s original theme rides from 2013. As America marks its 250th anniversary, there’s something fitting about revisiting one of ICA’s classic American-themed rides and giving it new life for a new generation of riders.
Jennifer refreshed the original profile with new music, reorganized portions of the ride, and converted it into our customizable Express Profile format. The result is a ride that feels both familiar and fresh.
The final working song is the iconic “American Pie.” At that point, your riders will have earned the opportunity to relax a bit, sing along, and enjoy the moment. Whether your class embraces full-on karaoke or continues pushing the pedals with determination, the choice is theirs. After all, one of the joys of teaching a holiday ride is giving participants permission to have a little extra fun. Just don’t forget to wear your red, white, and blue!
ICA members can find the profile and playlist below.
2. NEW in 2026!! America 250—The Freedom Ride.
Created by ICA contributor Susan Lafond, this ride celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States with a soundtrack built around freedom, patriotism, and life in the USA. Susan has become known within ICA for her creative, thoughtfully designed theme rides, and this one is no exception. You can find the Freedom Ride here.
The profile is structured around three progressive sets of 10–12 minutes. Each set begins with a climb, transitions into a fast flat, and finishes with resistance-driven surges that challenge riders to increase intensity. Most of the ride stays in Zones 3–4, creating a strong aerobic training stimulus, while the surges push riders to threshold and beyond. The result is a ride that balances fitness, fun, and a celebration of the ideals that inspired the founding of the United States.
3. Red, White, and BOOM
Looking for another option? Karen Cruz’s Red, White, and BOOM delivers a festive, high-energy ride that captures the celebratory spirit of the holiday.
One of the things we love about Karen’s profile is that it goes beyond a single event. She shares practical tips for repurposing the ride throughout the year for other American-themed holidays. With a few simple playlist swaps, you can adapt the profile for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, or any occasion that calls for a little patriotic flair. It’s a smart reminder that riders rarely mind hearing a few great songs more than once if they’re part of a fun and well-designed experience.
4. Pursuit of Freedom
Another creative option for your holiday classes is Pursuit of Freedom, a ride Fern originally created for World Freedom Day on November 9. The profile consists of three blocks of work, and the playlist celebrates freedom, resilience, courage, and the enduring human desire for self-determination through a powerful collection of songs designed to inspire and empower. Those themes fit perfectly with a Fourth of July ride, making this profile easy to adapt with a few patriotic song swaps. If you’d like even more music ideas, be sure to visit the accompanying World Freedom Day post, where you’ll find our Freedom bucket playlist featuring more than 150 songs about freedom, empowerment, independence, and breaking barriers. Combined with the Fourth of July bucket playlist, you’ll have hundreds of songs to choose from when building or customizing your holiday ride.
ICA members can find both the Three Climbs in America profile and playlist and the Fourth of July bucket playlist below.
Think we missed a great song for the bucket playlist? Have you taught one of these rides to rave reviews? Let us know in the comments below!
Just in time, as I am scheduled to teach on Wed. July 4. I will put together a profile, knowing what my riders can do and use songs from this playlist. Thanks for all your help.
Awesome play list! Great job 🙂