The annual Armed Forces Cycling Classic, held in Arlington June 1-2, is the capital region's premier cycling event and features America's top professional men and women. Whether you prefer to watch the cycling pros or try your own Challenge Ride, the annual race promises a fast-paced, fun-filled weekend with races, dining, exploring and shopping in Arlington and the nation's capital!
Check out the weekend's exciting event lineup:
The Armed Forces Cycling Classic's Challenge Ride, which offers a closed course open to cycling enthusiasts of all abilities, starts at 7 a.m. Saturday. Bronze, silver and gold medals will be awarded for those who can complete at least three, six or nine laps within three hours in a course that includes views of Crystal City, the Pentagon, Rosslyn and more.
Saturday's featured event is the men’s pro race that will include some of the top pros in the world, and is the first day of racing for Pro/Am teams competing in the weekend’s Omnium competition. The race will be held following the Challenge Ride. Other activities throughout the day will include the Thales Corporate Challenge, the Navy Federal Credit Union Armed Forces Cycling Challenge, and the women’s and men’s Pro/Am races.
The 22nd Annual Armed Forces Cycling Classic's Clarendon Cup showcases a form of cycling involving a series of high-speed bike races that take place on a 1 km course on city streets. The Clarendon Cup is known as one of the most difficult criterium races in the country due to the technical demands of the course and the quality of the participants. The Clarendon Cup Invitational begins at around 12:05 p.m., with the men's pro race covering 100 laps. Sunday starts with various amateur races, the women's Pro/Am race, and kids' races at 11:30 a.m.
Learn more about the Armed Forces Cycling Classic on our Events page.
Author: Kathleen Murphy
