If you love multisport but hate running – aquabike might just be the answer. Swim, bike, done is growing in popularity, ideal for those with injuries that take running out of the equation and those who simply don’t enjoy triathlon’s third discipline.
As more event organisers add aquabike options to their race weekend schedules, we bring you our pick of the best aquabike events.
What is Aquabike?
Aquabike is a swim and a bike back to back. Think triathlon, just without the running. You’ll still set up a transition zone to go from swimming to cycling. But once you arrive back in T2, your day is done. Other twists on the traditional swim-bike-run format of triathlon include duathlon (run-bike-run) and aquathlon (swim-run).
Initially Aquabike was popular with triathletes who were managing injuries that meant they couldn’t run. But it’s now becoming a popular event in its own right. If you like the sound of swim-bike-done – read on to find your next Aquabike race.
Aquabike races in the UK
Plenty of triathlon and multisport event organisers in the UK are adding an Aquabike option to their race weekend schedule – recognising that it makes the event accessible for more people. Take a look at our top picks for the best Aquabike events in the UK.
Outlaw Nottingham
Nottingham is the home of Outlaw Triathlon, with the original Outlaw Full triathlon taking place here since 2010. If you fancy making 2025 the year of the Aquabike, you can race twice with Outlaw in Nottingham. Take on the half distance at the Outlaw Nottingham Half weekend in early May (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike) and then return in the summer to go all out with the Outlaw Full Aquabike race (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike).
You’ll start your day with a nice, straight forward swim in the regatta lake at the National Water Sports Centre before enjoying a predominantly flat and fast bike course through the Nottinghamshire countryside. Your official race time is taken when you cross the timing mat coming back into transition after the bike. So you can make your way to the finish line when you’re ready, and really soak up your moment of glory on the famous Outlaw orange carpet.
Conquer the Chilterns
Just an hour away from the busy city sounds of London, you’ll find Henley-on-Thames which plays host to one of the most scenic multisport events in the country. Alongside short and middle distance triathlon events, there’s also sprint, standard and middle distance Aquabike races to get your teeth into. After a swim in the river Thames you’ll head out for a hilly bike ride, with one big climb per lap – it’s called ‘conquer the Chilterns’ for a reason!
ATW Odyssey Aquabike
If the Chiltern hills aren’t calling to you, then how about the rolling countryside of Cambridgeshire instead? The ATW Odyssey Aquabike takes place in St Neots, with a river swim and gently rolling bike course. You can go for the half distance, or tackle the full 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike. There’s a central point out on the bike course for spectators with hospitality and entertainment, so they can easily cheer you on. And back at event HQ there’s also kids activities, food, drink and music to keep your support crew happy while you’re out on the course.
Lakesman Aquabike
The popular Lakesman middle distance triathlon now has the addition of an Aquabike event, alongside a bike-run event – a multisport pick ‘n’ mix so you can tailor your event experience to your favourite disciplines! The swim takes place in Derwentwater, one of the Lake District’s most picturesque lakes. The bike course certainly isn’t flat, but it’s as flat as your going to get for the Lake District, featuring 2500ft/762 metres of climbing. It’s well worth turning this one into a bit of a race-cation if you can – bring your mountain bike as well as your TT/roadie and spend a few extra days exploring everything the area has to offer.
Outlaw Half Holkham Aquabike
Take a trip out to the North Norfolk coast and be part of the action at Outlaw Half Holkham. Set against the impressive backdrop of Holkham Hall, race weekend offers up a middle distance Aquabike alongside the flagship triathlon, plus a gravel sprint tri, a 10km run event and a kids race. The bike course at Holkham is undulating, taking you out into the surrounding countryside with a few rollers to test the legs. Like Outlaw’s Aquabike events in Nottingham, your finish time is taken as soon as you finish the bike so you can make your way to the finish line at your leisure and enjoy the atmosphere.
European Aquabike races
Head to the continent for your next Aquabike adventure. From the stunning hills of Austria, to the fast, flat roads of The Netherlands. There’s plenty of choice for your next swim-bike-done challenge.
Challenge St Polten
While Challenge St Polten is best known for its middle distance triathlon, the Aquabike option really gives you the opportunity to experience the very best bits of this race in Austria. The swim takes place in not just one crystal clear lake – but two. You’ll jump into the Viehofner See for the first loop, then cross over the bridge to complete the remainder of the 1.9km swim in the Ratzdorfer See.
The bike course is equally spectacular, incorporating fast, flat sections with 3 punchy climbs as you wind your way through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wachau Valley.
Bilbao Triathlon
Head into the heart of the Spanish Basque country for the Aquabike race at Bilbao Triathlon. Taking place right in the centre of this bustling city, you’ll complete the 2km swim in the Bilbao Estuary before heading off on the bike out of town and into the surrounding historical territory of Bizkaia, on roads that formed the basis of the 2023 Tour de France route. Pack your climbing legs, because you’ll make your way through over 900m of elevation gain during the 82.5km bike ride.
Frankfurt City Triathlon
Featuring a 2km swim and an 80km bike ride, Frankfurt City Triathlon is a unique way to experience one of Germany’s major cities. You’ll start by swimming in the Langener Waldsee before hopping on your bike and riding into the city centre. While your finish time is taken from the bike dismount line, it’s worth knowing you’ll have a 1km walk to get to the finish line so you’ll need to have a spare pair of trainers/shoes in transition to avoid having to walk in your cycling cleats.
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam
Home to one of the oldest long distance triathlons second to Hawaii, Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is the hub of triathlon in The Netherlands and for the last three years has hosted the European Long Distance Triathlon Championships. Race weekend offers up both middle and full distance Aquabike events, with a buzzing atmosphere guaranteed. The day starts with a swim in the clear, calm waters of the Weerwater. The bike course is fast and flat, with plenty of quintessentially Dutch sights to enjoy if you’re not too focused on holding your aero position. It can get pretty windy, so this is a race where aero is everything. Check out the video above for more insights into the course and the race weekend atmosphere.
Triathlon des Coteaux du Vendômois
With 26 years of history, this triathlon in the small town of Villiers-sur-Loir (just under 200km south of Paris) gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty of the French countryside and venture into the hills of the Vendômois region. The swim is a 2.3km lake swim with a 2-lap format and an Aussie exit at the halfway point. Next is a 96km bike course, with plenty of rolling hills to test the legs. Note that you’ll have a 300m run or walk after the bike to cross the finish line.
USA
Based in the USA or planning a race-cation? Check out these races for your next Aquabike event.
Lake Tahoe Triathlon
Head up into the Californian Sierra Nevada mountains to take on this insanely picturesque triathlon. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, the Lake Tahoe Triathlon features a full range of triathlon, duathlon and Aquabike events. Choose from the Olympic distance or step up to the Half Iron distance. Either way, be prepared to take on a few hills out on the bike – the incredible scenery is an ample reward for your hard work.
Pacific Crest Endurance Sport Festival 72.3 Beastman Aquabike
Set against the impressive backdrop of Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon the Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival will be celebrating 29 years of multisport action in 2025, with a full range of triathlon, duathlon, Aquabike and running events.
The 72.3 mile Beastman distance Aquabike will be a serious test of endurance. After a nice down river swim in the Deschutes, the bike course takes you all the way to the top of Mt. Bachelor. Just make sure you leave enough energy in the tank to enjoy the fast descent back down to Riverbend Park!
Tri Boulder
Take a trip to one of the USA’s ultimate triathlon hot spots to take on the long course Aquabike race at Tri Boulder. The 1.9km swim takes place in the Boulder Reservoir, meanwhile the bike course is 80km and takes you on two laps out and around the Reservoir. The first half of the lap is a steady climb, followed by some faster rolling sections
Australia and New Zealand
Take a bucket list trip to the land down under with these Aquabike races in Australia and New Zealand.
Challenge Canberra
Challenge Canberra 2024 was a World Qualifying Event for the 2025 Multi Sports World Championships in Pontevendra, Spain, so expect a premier race experience if you add this event to your race calendar. Hosted by Australia’s capital city, you’ll take on a 1.9km lake swim in Lake Burley Griffin with the shores lined by spectators. Before heading out on the spectacular but challenging bike course with a climb on each lap as you speed along Canberra’s main Parkway.
Aqua Beer Rotorua Suffer
“This isn’t lawn bowls – this is proudly New Zealand’s hardest triathlon.” If you’re looking for an event that does away with frills and goes back to raw multisport, the Rotorua Suffer Aqua Beer will be right up your street. Promising to be beautiful, demanding, packed with camaraderie – and with ‘beersies’ at the finish line. This is a race that’s all about taking on your own personal challenge, for you, not anyone else. You’ll start with a 1.9km swim in Blue Lake and then the hard work begins with a hilly 90km bike ride. The race organisers promise that ‘you will suffer’, but “hang in there mate, there’s a beer at the finish.”
Challenge Wanaka
Challenge Wanaka is a seriously spectacular race that has got to go straight on your bucket list. Set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, you’ll swim in the refreshing waters of Lake Wānaka, New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake before heading out on the rolling bike course to appreciate the magic of the surrounding landscape. The Aquabike is a middle distance race, and there’s also a middle distance triathlon as well as several kids’ races. The ideal family-friendly bucket list race-cation.
Busselton Festival of Triathlon
Busselton Festival of Triathlon gives you the opportunity to race in the heart of Busselton and explore the sights of Western Australia. Promising a buzzing atmosphere, with several races over the space of the weekend. The Aquabike takes the first two parts of the popular 100km distance triathlon, with a 2km swim beside Busselton Jetty followed by an 80km ride through the Ludlow Tuart Forest.
Aquabike FAQs
An Aquabike race is a multisport event comprising a swim followed by a cycle ride, back to back with a timed transition in between. Think triathlon – just without the running.
Like triathlon, there are a wide range of Aquabike race distances on offer. From a sprint Aquabike (750m swim, 20km bike) all the way up to a full Iron distance (3.8km swim, 180km bike). The most popular Aquabike distance is the middle distance/half Ironman with a 1.9km swim and a 90km bike.
Aquabike events aren’t to be confused with ‘aquabiking’ which are specialised static bicycles designed to be ridden in water for extra resistance. In an Aquabike event, you swim first and then bike on dry land.
The majority of Aquabike events feature an open water swim, so a wetsuit is recommended. It’s still worth wearing a tri suit so you can make a swift transition from the swim to the bike. You’ll obviously need a bike, helmet and bike shoes too. While you won’t need sneakers to run in, many events require that you walk a few hundred metres to the finish, so you may still want a spare pair of shoes in transition to save you clip-clopping to the line in your cycling cleats.
