Course - Bike

The Bike - 40K

The 2010 Nation’s Triathlon bike course is a single 40k loop along the beautiful Potomac River and through historic downtown Washington DC.

The 2010 Nation’s Triathlon bike course is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to race 40k past the White House, Washington Monument, WW II Memorial, National Mall, Tidal Basin, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Kennedy Center, and Smithsonian Museum and more on a course completely closed to traffic! Vehicle free access to the roads, boulevards and avenues is provided by our friends at DC MPD and US Park Police.

There are a number of gentle rollers out on Clara Barton Parkway approximately 6 miles in with the remainder of the course being mostly flat and fast. There are a number of very short steep climbs to get onto certain roadways and around overpasses. There are a number of technical turns on the course that require good bike handling skills starting around mile 21 when racers come in off Clara Barton Parkway.

The bike course was designed to follow the normal flow of vehicle traffic so all bikers will intuitively keep right unless they are actively passing. Bikers also then know not to cross yellow lane lines at any time. A team of volunteers and course marshals line the bike route to offer cheer and encouragement and warn bikers of any potential hazards.

Course route subject to change at any time with or without prior notice.

According to a 2009 participant:

"Great Day! How could you not enjoy a ride through a beautiful city with no traffic -- that was the best part."

And from a 2008 participant:

"I’ve done a ton of triathlons (including twice at Nation’s) and must say the bike course this year was one of the best I’ve ever ridden."
course map run
  1. Exit from West Potomac Park to Independence Ave staying in eastbound lanes
  2. East on Independence Ave in the east bound lanes
  3. Turnaround to Independence Ave westbound lanes using turn lanes by Tidal Basin
  4. Westbound on Independence Ave to 23rd
  5. Lincoln Memorial Circle to Parkway Drive northbound lanes
  6. Veer right of median at intersection, Left turn onto Rock Creek Parkway
  7. Rock Creek Parkway north to K Street ramp
  8. Exit K Street ramp from northbound Rock Creek Parkway
  9. West bound K Street right lanes to Whitehurst Freeway (with traffic)
  10. Left turn onto M Street west, M Street turns into Canal Road
  11. Left turn at Intersection of Canal Road and Foxhall Rd, staying on Canal Road
  12. North on Canal Road past Chain Bridge Road, Canal Road becomes Clara Barton Parkway
  13. Continue northbound on Clara Barton to the exit for Cabin John Parkway
  14. Exit Cabin John Parkway, northbound on Cabin John Parkway
  15. Turn around on Cabin John Parkway southbound
  16. Merge on to southbound Clara Barton Parkway
  17. South on Clara Barton Parkway past Chain Bridge Road to Canal Road
  18. Stay right at Intersection of Canal Road and Foxhall Road
  19. Continue on Canal Road south to Whitehurst Freeway
  20. Right turn onto Whitehurst Freeway east bound (southbound) lanes
  21. Whitehurst Freeway exit to Potomac Freeway
  22. Potomac Freeway southbound to the turnaround prior to Ohio Drive
  23. North on Potomac Freeway to split for 27th Street and Pennsylvania Ave, stay left
  24. Exit Left to 27th Street
  25. Right turn onto 27th Street northbound, crossing K Street
  26. Enter Rock Creek Parkway north bound from K Street Ramp
  27. Rock Creek Parkway north
  28. Turn around at Calvert Street exit ramp
  29. Southbound Rock Creek Parkway to Parkway Drive
  30. Enter Parkway Drive southbound to Lincoln Memorial Circle
  31. Cross Lincoln Memorial Circle hard left past median turning right onto 23rd
  32. Left turn onto Independence Ave in the East bound lanes
  33. Enter West Potomac Park to bike finish

Note on Bike Course Change: We were unable to secure a permit for the GW Parkway, therefore, the bike course will utilize the Clara Barton Parkway. We will be placing additional course marshals along the course and will extend the race time and space out the swim waves in order to reduce traffic flow on the course throughout the duration of the race.

Bike Rules/Regulations

  1. Bikes must be racked on Saturday prior to the race from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Once racked, bikes will remain in the transition area and may not be removed until the race. Bikes MUST have bike numbers fastened on them and all athletes must have their race bracelets on to enter the transition area.
  2. Helmets must be on AND fastened before triathletes mount their bikes.
  3. Do not mount your bike until you are out of the transition area and past the mount/dismount line.
  4. ABSOLUTELY NO RIDING IN THE TRANSITION AREA.
  5. STAY RIGHT ON THE BIKE COURSE UNLESS YOU ARE PASSING. DO NOT RIDE ABREAST FROM ANOTHER COMPETITOR FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER UNLESS YOU ARE PASSING.
  6. You must pass the 17 mile mark by 12:15 PM or you will not be allowed to continue biking. You will receive a DNF and be allowed to do the run.
  7. Do not litter.
  8. If you have a flat move your bike off the course.
  9. Emergency conditions may occur during the race. Please pay attention to your surroundings for indication of the need to clear the course or take other instructed action.
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