Essential Arlington Patios for Outdoor Dining & Drinking
Whether you’re after a low-key atmosphere, a busy people-watching spot, a buzzing beer garden, or a mouthwatering meal, Arlington’s numerous…
Armed Forces Cycling Classic
The capital region’s premier biking event, the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic draws professionals and amateurs for a spirited racing faceoff.
A weekend of professional and amateur racing, the annual Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic, held in Arlington on May 31 and June 1 is the capital region's premier biking event. Billed as “where champions come to compete since 1998,” the events offer opportunities for cyclists of all abilities to participate. Kids 9 and under even have races, organized by age and experience level.
Capitol Cup and Clarendon Cup
You can check out the fast-paced competition among licensed racers in their respective categories, including the nation's top Pro/Am men and women in Saturday's Capitol Cup in Washington, D.C., and Sunday's Clarendon Cup in Clarendon. Each race showcases a form of cycling that involves a series of high-speed bike races on a one-kilometer course on city streets. The Clarendon Cup is known as one of the most difficult criterium races in the U.S. due to the course’s technical demands and the quality of the participants.
This year's lineup will also feature a Pride Ride in partnership with Capital Pride and World Pride 2025 happening in D.C. on May 31 as part of the Capitol Cup.
The Challenge Ride
The Challenge Ride on Saturday is a fun-filled amateur event for cyclists of all abilities, from casual amateur to serious racer. The ride takes place on a course closed to traffic, starting and finishing in Crystal City, traveling past the Pentagon, up to Rosslyn, and back. It starts at 7 a.m. and all riders must be off the course by 10 a.m. All finishers receive a medal. Riders who complete nine or more laps receive Gold, riders who complete six to eight laps receive Silver, and those who complete five or fewer receive Bronze.
Active-duty, retired, veterans and reserve armed forces members can compete to earn bragging rights as the most competitive service in the Boeing Armed Forces Challenge. The service whose participants complete the most total taps, as well as the most laps completed by their top six riders, is honored on stage.
Appian Corporate Challenge
Companies and organizations can also enter as part of the Appian Corporate Challenge by forming teams to participate.
Whether you decide to marvel at the cycling pros or meet your own challenge to ride the course, you're sure to have an exciting race weekend discovering Arlington and the nation's capital.
More About Cycling Classic
Related Stories
9 Exciting Things to Do On & Around the Waterfront in Arlington
Home to national treasures like Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Arlington…
Spend a Day Exploring Arlington, VA’s Military Sights
Arlington has an unmistakable connection to the U.S. military. Not only is it home to Arlington National Cemetery and many…
More Annual Events
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The iconic National Cherry Blossom Festival turns D.C. pretty in pink each year, as it offers visitors a lineup of fun flower-themed events. Experience a…
Pride Month Celebrations
Honor the DC region’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community with concerts, parties, parades, food and dancing during the Pride Month.
Rolling to Remember
A high-profile motorcycle rally in the streets of D.C., Rolling to Remember spotlights U.S. POWs and MIAs, as well as the mental health and wellbeing…
Memorial Day
Spend Memorial Day Weekend in Arlington and D.C. where the area’s many military memorials form a dramatic, symbolic backdrop.
Columbia Pike Blues Festival
Groove to the music of the largest blues festival in the DC metro area with national headliners, great food, unique vendors and family fun.
4th of July
Celebrate the birth of the USA in the nation's capital, an the best place to be on July 4th!
Arlington County Fair
Food and fun draw thousands to the annual Arlington County Fair, one of the largest free events on the East Coast.
Rosslyn Jazz Fest
Groove to the smooth sounds of jazz at the annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest, a popular community event full of food, music and fun.
Marine Corps Marathon
One of the world’s largest marathons and the only one without prize money, the Marine Corps Marathon draws runners and spectators alike.
Veterans Day
No place is more meaningful to honor our nation’s vets on Veterans Day than at the many military memorials in Arlington and Washington, DC.