International - Bike 40K
The bike course features two loops through the heart of Washington, DC and its historic monuments, memorials and national treasures.
Competitors will race on streets that are completely closed to traffic for the triathlon. The roads, avenues and boulevards of Washington belong to you as you pedal past the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center, Vietnam Memorial and more.
The course is flat and fast with a number of technical sections and 180′ turns that demand good bike handling skills. Local Tip: Rock Creek Parkway is a false flat heading north until the turnaround. Pedal hard to pick up time heading south…it’s all downhill.
There are no water bottle exchanges on the bike course so make sure your water bottle is filled before you leave the transition area.
Olympic distance triathletes do two (2) loops of the course pictured below. On the second loop remember to stay left when you approach Independence Avenue for your second loop. All riders must stay right unless passing. USAT rules regarding the race are in effect.
All bikes must be racked in the transition area on Saturday from 1pm to 8pm. No bikes may be racked on race day. Once your bike is in the transition area it may not be removed.
Bikes may be picked up after the race starting at 8am. Please make sure you have your race wristband on for access into the transition area. Mechanics are on duty to provide minor maintenance and repairs. Pumps will be available, but bring one to share.
Turn by Turn Directions
- Athletes mount bikes adjacent to transition area head east on eastbound Independence Ave
- Over Tidal Basin Bridge then turn north on southbound lanes of 15th St
- Turn right heading east on two outer eastbound lanes of Constitution Ave (2 south side lanes for runners)
- Turnaround at 6th St and head west in westbound lanes of Constitution Ave
- Turn right heading north in the northbound lanes of 17th St
- Turn left heading west on the E St Expressway westbound lanes
- Exit onto the off ramp from Potomac River Freeway northbound
- Turn sharp right heading north onto Potomac River Freeway North
- Exit via ramp west on the Whitehurst Freeway westbound lanes
- Turnaround prior to M St heading east on Whitehurst Freeway eastbound lanes
- Exit via ramp south on the Potomac River Freeway South
- Exit south onto Ohio Drive northbound lanes
- Turn around at 23rd St heading north on Ohio Dr southbound lanes
- Onto Rock Creek Parkway
- Just past Potomac River Freeway merge bikers onto Rock Creek Parkway northbound lanes
- Turn around prior to P St then head south on Rock Creek Parkway southbound lanes
- Exit via ramp west onto Memorial Bridge westbound lanes
- Turn around the Memorial Circle
- Head east on Memorial Bridge eastbound lanes
- Bear right at Lincoln Circle exiting south on 23rd St southbound lanes
- Turn left heading east on Independence Ave eastbound lanes
- Athletes doing the International distance complete a second identical loop. Athletes completing the sprint distance dismount adjacent to the transition area
get the close up details of this years course!
