BWR British Columbia

BWR Canada welcomes athletes back to the Cowichan Valley in Duncan, B.C.

Hosting one of the most scenic and challenging courses in BWR history with a USD $3,000 prize purse, the BWR BC promises to lure a deep field of Canadian, American and world class road, gravel, cyclocross, and mountain bike racers from around the world looking to take on the uniquely beautiful and challenging terrain that only Vancouver Island can offer. The BWR is celebrating 13 years of pedaling perversity in 2024 and this international affair promises to provide professional and amateur cyclists alike the opportunity to ride the most coveted unroads of this spectacular venue, utilizing dozens of gravel and single-track sectors to connect the best roads of the area for a truly dynamic multi-surface race… the unique complexion of road and unroad dynamics that are hallmarks of the BWR offering.

A healthy confluence of glorious mountains, dedicated trail stewards and moderate climate has turned Cowichan into an incredible cycling destination. It’s extreme variety, from downhill daredevil descending to flowy cross-country trails, the area’s terrain is an incredible mix of roots, rocks, roads and unroads that lie beneath the thick west coast forest and the island’s arbutus charm, the likes of which combine into the perfect cocktail for BWR intoxication. And the community of Cowichan is overflowing with passionate locals who build and maintain trails, promote the region, and educate riders. These denizens can’t wait for us to see what they’ve curated for us.

The BWR, created as an extremely challenging race in the spirit of the great European one-day Spring Classics, is a truly unique series of races in North America.There will be three distances on offer in BC; the longer Waffle Ride, roughly 130-miles (210km), and the half-as-long Wafer Ride for those looking to get a taste of the glory without the full-time training commitment the full Waffle requires, and the taster, the Wanna Ride (half the Wafer).

This Second Annual BWR BC race, like other BWR’s in California, N. Carolina, Utah, Mexico, and Arizona, will have a field of professional riders and an expansive list of hungry amateur riders drawn to the unparalleled opportunity to race alongside their heroes. The Waffle will be offering a prize purse to the top three riders, both female and male! Racers and event patrons will be treated to Belgian waffles and ales, frites, and a variety of culinary delights, more waffles, and more beer on race weekend.

REGISTER HERE

2024 RACE INFO

DATE: Expo - Saturday, September 21, 2024   Race - Sunday, September 22, 2024

LOCATION: Providence Farms, Duncan, B.C., Canada

START TIME: Sunday, September 22 at 7:00 am

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 1000 participants, we recommend registering early to secure your spot

DISTANCES

WAFFLE +200KM (Level: Pro - Intermediate - Advanced - Gravel bike only)

WAFER +100KM (Level: Intermediate - Advanced - Gravel or Mtb bike)

WANNA +50KM (Level: Beginner - Intermediate - Gravel or Mtb bike)

CATEGORIES AND AGE GROUPS

 Female, male and gender diverse in the following age groups:

Under 18 years

18 to 23 years

23 to 34 years

35 to 44 years

45 to 54 years

55 to 64 years

65 to 69 years

70+ years

E-Bike Category: Ride the WAFER and WANNA distances with a bit of help from your electric bike. Follow the normal registration process and choose the E-BIKE option in your category.

PRIZES

WAFFLE DISTANCE +200KM

Total cash prize of $3,000.00 USD

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and top 3 female overall finishers:

1st Place $750 USD + trophy

2nd Place $500 USD + trophy

3rd Place $250 USD + trophy

WAFER DISTANCE

Award medals will be presented to the top 3 male and top 3 female finishers in each category.

THE BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE BRISTISH COLUMBIA 

PRICING 

WAFFLE +180KM  CAD$289.00

WAFER +100KM  CAD$275

WANNA +50KM CAD$135

Note: discounted pricing available for riders under the age of 18.

Expo Registration available with limited SWAG available. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=34390

IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT REGISTRATIONS

NO REFUNDS, NO DEFERRALS, NO TRANSFERS

* Please purchase the event insurance to eliminate any worries of being refunded for entry fees if not able to make it. Refund insurance policies can be referenced here: https://platinumracing.ca/policies/  

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES

• Commemorative Belgian Waffle Ride hoody (Waffle & Wafer) or t-shirt (Wanna). BWR custom beer koozie for your finish line refreshments.
• Coffee and Waffles before the race
• Medical Service Stations during the ride and at the Finish Line
• Support from Mechanical Service at the Expo, before the start, during the route, and after completing the ride
• Water, Hammer gels and F2C Glyco-Durance Nutrition at aid stations.https://www.f2cnutrition.com/items/glyco-durance/  
• Sweep van at various points of the route equipped for your comfort
• Finish line beer and light lunch.

VOLUNTEER!

There are many opportunities to be part of race and bring the big day to life.  Volunteers receive a t-shirt, meal and beer ticket!  Course marshal positions earn a $50 transferable race credit!

Click here for available positions:  https://volunteersignup.org/BDK7H 

RACE WEEKEND EVENTS

RACE PACKAGE NUMBER PICK-UP

PICKUP will be on Saturday, Sept 21, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at our start/finish at Providence Farm.  1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 5L6 

The BWR START will be on Sunday, September 22, at 7:00 am.

Arrive 1 to 2 hours before the start (from 5:30 to 6:30 am); upon arrival.  Parking is on-site. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ITINERARY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

5:00pm - 7:00pm - BWR Unroad Welkom Party at Red Arrow Brewing (5255 Chaster Rd, Duncan)

ITINERARY FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

6:00 am - Final Expo BWR setup details

10:00 am - Expo BWR begins

10:30 am - Shakeout ride supporting the Cowichan Trails Stewardship Society

11:00 am - BWR Number and Kit Pickup begins

12:00 pm - Beer Garden begins

4:00 pm - Riders Briefing

6:00 pm - End of Kit Pickup 

ITINERARY FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 – RACE DAY!

6:00 am - Medical and mechanical services enabled at the Start

6:00 am - Waffles and Coffee station opens

7:00 am - BWR WAFFLE, WAFER, AND WANNA START

9:15 am - First WANNA participant finishes (Approx)

10:15 am - First WAFER participant finishes (Approx)

2:00 pm - First WAFFLE participant finishes (Approx)

4:00 pm - Awards Ceremony (Waffle & Wafer)

7:00 pm - Route closes / end of event

*Times are estimated and may be adjusted according to the progress of the events.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodation options will include an onsite RV / Van Life parking, Tent Camping / Bike Packing, Airbnb, and excellent hotel selections in Duncan, and nearby Nanaimo and Victoria, including Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, and the Villa Eyrie Resort.

RV/Camping

There is overnight camping available at Providence Farm our race venue starting Friday at 3:00pm.  Note that there are no hookups available.

Lodging Information 

Oceanfront Suites at Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay - Stay in beautiful Cowichan Bay with our host hotel partner! Special rates available for participants. Book by calling the front desk (toll free 1-800-663-7898), and quote the Group ID: Waffle2024. 

Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn - Minutes from the race venue! Call to book using code "Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR)" for 20% any room type.1-250-748-2722. Reservations booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Microtel Inn & Suites Oyster Bay Village - We are happy to extend 20% off rates for this exciting and – grueling – bike race! Click here to book: www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/50992?corporate_id=9985554020

Villa Eyrie - One of the Top 10 hotels worldwide on Tripadvisor! Special rates available to participants using code BWR2024. Click here to book: https://www.villaeyrie.com

Additional Cowichan Valley accommodations can be found at https://www.tourismcowichan.com/stay/

Accommodation in Victoria can be found at https://www.tourismvictoria.com/stay