Ironman Louisville Bike Course Description and Elevation

I road the Ironman Louisville Bike course last weekend from the Great Lawn through loop 1 and had my ass handed to me.

It is a 85 mile ride and the back part of the loop was the worst. Below you can see my step by step description with a nice elevation chart showing approximate locations according to elevation. If you have any questions feel free to email me.

–Start at Water Front Park (The Great Lawn)

–Turn left (east) onto Witherspoon St.

(Short ride to Preston)

–Turn left (north) onto Preston St., which becomes River Rd

(about 10 miles to Wolf Pen Branch rd.)

–Veer right onto Wolf Pen Branch Rd.

(some what steep camel back climb to 42)

–Turn left (north) onto State Rd 42

(some moderate climbing to and rollers to 1694)

–Turn right (east) onto KY-1694

(Mile 20 enter 1694)

–Out and back around turn around

(the turn is about 23 miles so far and the climb back up is steep)

–Turn right (north) onto State Rd 42

(back on 42 is small rollers to 393)

–Turn right (east) onto KY-393

(slight climb up and hang on. Good 40mph down Hill speeds with some steady climbs back up to 146)

–Turn left (east) onto KY-146

(long shallow rollers to viewing area)

–Turn left (north) onto Ballard School Rd

(This is where I had my ass handed to me. Hard looooong climb about 3 miles then a short welcomed down hill to Old Sligo)

–Turn right (north) onto Old Sligo Rd

(I had my ass handed to me again!! Right turn into a very steep, maybe  (45-50%) OK, more than 10% but less than 50% grade climb. Out of saddle all the way. Old Sligo is 1.6 miles with about a 8% grade over the distance. There is a short steep climb as you turn onto Old Sligo I don’t have a device to measure the incline but I will film the ride on my next loop)

–Turn right (east) onto Lesprit Parkway

(L’esprit is a long false flat to 153. sta in saddle the whole way.)

–Turn left (north) onto 153

(easy ride to 42)

-Turn Left (south) onto State Rd 42

(about mile 56 42 is mostly down hill to 393 for loop 2)

-Turn left (east) onto 393

(about mile 61)

–Turn left (east) onto KY-146
–Turn left (north) onto Ballard School Rd
–Turn right (north) onto Old Sligo Rd
–Turn right (east) onto Lesprit Parkway
–Turn left (north) onto 153
–Turn left (south) onto State Rd 42

(33 miles to Louisville. Its all down hill from here with a slight climb mid way through and at the end of 42)
–Turn right (south) onto Wolf Pen Branch Rd

(all downhill to rive road. 10 mile remaining)
–Veer left onto River Rd., which becomes Preston St
–Turn right (west) onto Witherspoon St

T2!!!