Ironman Cairns: the bike course and how to prepare it
- Distance
- 178 km
- Climbing
- 1,346 m
- Highest point
- 58 m
- Categorised climbs
- 4 · up to 7 %
- Shape
- Point to point
Measured on the course you ride in Cycloscape. The organiser's own figures are below.
Elevation profile
5–58 m · 4 categorised climbsIronman Cairns is a full-distance IRONMAN triathlon — 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run — in Cairns, Australia. The next edition is on 13 June 2027, according to IRONMAN. The 180 km bike leg leaves Palm Cove north on the Captain Cook Highway towards Port Douglas, over the Rex Lookout climb, then turns inland at Craiglie before returning along the coast.
Ironman Cairns at a glance
- Where
- Cairns, Australia
- Official race page
- ironman.com ↗
- Next edition
- 13 June 2027
- Distances
- 3.8 km swim · 180 km bike · 42.2 km run
- Bike course
- 180 km
- Terrain
- Rolling to flat
- Facts checked
- 5 November 2026, against the sources below
Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Ride the real course on your trainer. The route of Ironman Cairns, 178 km, as a 3D world, with your trainer following its gradients — any day, and as part of your Event Coach plan. Part of Cycloscape Pro.
The bike course
Ironman Cairns is a full-distance triathlon: 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run.
| Leg | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Bike leg | 180 km | — |
What the bike leg asks of you
Tropical heat and one notable climb: pace Rex Lookout and drink before you are thirsty.
How to prepare the bike leg
The general shape of a good bike preparation, which Event Coach turns into a plan for your fitness, time and date:
- Train long, steady power: the 180 km of Ironman Cairns are ridden well below threshold — most age-groupers hold around two-thirds to three-quarters of their FTP — so the marathon is still possible.
- Ride your long sessions in the position you will race in, and practise eating and drinking on the bike: on race day you fuel the run on the bike.
- Add short runs straight after some long rides (brick sessions), planned around your bike training — Event Coach prepares the bike; your swim and run are yours to fit around it.
Pacing mistakes to avoid
The mistakes that cost triathletes the most on the bike:
- Riding the first hour of Ironman Cairns on adrenaline: the watts you spend early come back as minutes lost on the run.
- Surging on every hill and every overtake instead of holding an even power.
- Under-eating on the bike: the energy for the run has to go in before you get off it.
Prepare the bike leg of Ironman Cairns with Cycloscape
Tell Event Coach you are racing Ironman Cairns and it builds the bike side of your preparation towards 13 June 2027: structured workouts held by your trainer in ERG, pacing for the course and Performance Lab to see whether the work is landing. Swimming and running are not part of the plan. Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Frequently asked
When is Ironman Cairns 2027?
On Sunday, 13 June 2027, according to the organiser.
How long is the bike course of Ironman Cairns?
180 km. The bike leg as IRONMAN describes its course.
Does Event Coach plan my swimming and running?
No. It prepares the bike leg — workouts, pacing and the course — and tells you where to fit short runs after long rides. Plan your swim and run with your own coach or programme.
Can I ride the bike course of Ironman Cairns in Cycloscape?
Yes, inside Event Coach with Cycloscape Pro: the bike course is ridden on your trainer as part of your preparation. It is never a free or standalone ride.