The Third Annual BWR NC, presented by New Belgium Brewing, will take place on June 10, in Hendersonville, NC at the Ride Kanuga location, an incredible destination nestled on 1,400 stunning acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its historic setting features a beautiful 30-acre lake, 20-miles of trails, and full- service meeting and lodging facilities for up to 440 guests. The race promises to be among the hardest if not the hardest course with roughly 131-miles and 13,500 feet of climbing, but the shortness belies that challenge of the parcourse, which will be run in very hot and humid conditions over undulating terrain and difficult off-load sectors..
Created as an extremely challenging race in the spirit of the great European one-day Spring Classics, BWR, with a Belgique theme, is an unusually difficult race. There will be three distances on offer in Asheville, the longer Waffle event, and the half as long Wafer event, for those looking to get a taste of the fun without the life-changing commitment of the Waffle. Plus, the Wanna ride that's roughly half the Wafer.
The BWR will be offering a prize purse to the top three riders, both female and male.
This third annual event will have a deep field of professional riders and an expansive list of hungry amateur riders drawn to the unique opportunity to race alongside their heroes.
Racers and event patrons will be treated to Belgian waffles, beer, more waffles, and more beer on race day.
The Waffle race itself promises unparalleled punishment for entrants along its course, which will feature more than 13,000 feet of undulating climbs and over 54-miles of Unroad terrain that harken to the teeth-rattling cobblestones of Europe’s most grueling races.
Prior to the event, there will be a special VIP event for the media, the course will be revealed in detail, there will special race-related presentations riders won’t want to miss, the pros will be interviewed, and cyclists of all stripes will be able to rub shoulders with all the celebrities on hand for the epic weekend.
The Expo is promising to be a cool cycling party which is open to the public. A variety of beers reflecting the incredible brewing crafts of New Belgium will be a featured attraction for this unique occasion. Attendees can peruse a wide range of offerings from event sponsors and over 40 vendors!
Course & Terrain Highlights:
The Start & Finish & Expo will be hosted at the scenic Kanuga venue in Hendersonville, NC
•Plethora of Feed Zones and on-course support to provide every tool possible to help finish the event
•The course has scenic views of rolling mountains, rough and rocky outcroppings, lake views, dense forests and passes many rivers and waterfalls
•Course will cross the Eastern Continental Divide multiple times!
•A true multi-surface race with smooth, hard packed, flat, loose, rocky, and up/downhill gravel.
•The course dips into South Carolina so riders get to visit two states!
•The course travels down part of the Saluda Grade: the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway grade in the United States.
•Huge variety and range of flora and fauna all influenced by the water in the area.
•Course map and revealing will be only in the last few weeks leading into the event for respect to many private landowners along the route.
PLEASE BE 100% SURE WHEN YOU COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS
2022 Route Info Below *subject to change for 2023
REWARDS & PRIZES
Waffle Finishers will receive:
• BWR swag bag that contains many important items
• Race Number and RFID Tag (for official finishing time)
• BWR Bad Ass Ale (trophy)
•BWR Branded Item
•Fully marked course with traffic control
•Stocked aid stations
•Bragging rights
Wafer Finishers will receive:
• BWR swag bag that contains many important items
• Race Number and RFID Tag (for official finishing time)
• BWR Bad Ass Ale (trophy)
•BWR Branded Item
•Fully marked course with traffic control
•Stocked aid stations
•Bragging rights
Wanna Finishers will receive:
• BWR swag bag that contains many important items
• Race Number and RFID Tag (for official finishing time)
• BWR Can of Beer (trophy)
•BWR Branded Item
•Fully marked course with traffic control
•Stocked aid stations
•Bragging rights
•Opportunity to level up to the Wafer in 2024
All Registrants will receive:
Wrist Band, which gets you
• Pre/Post-Race Waffles and coffee
• Beer Ticket
RACE DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023
1249 KANUGA LAKE RD, HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28739
Event Location
1249 Kanuga Lake Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Microbreweries– The Asheville region hosts one of the highest concentrations in the nation!
RenownedBlue Ridge Parkway– 469miles long without a stop sign or light, is at the backdoor of Sierra Nevada! Called America's Favorite Drive -a ribbon of road that weaves through the region’s vibrant living traditions including Cherokee life and agricultural history to Southern Appalachian crafts and music. A must see and ride experience!
Pisgah National Forest- originally part of the 87,000 acre Biltmore Estate, now over 500,000 acres, includes 5 peaks over 6000 feet in elevation.
Mt Mitchell- accessed off the Parkway, Mt Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi river and you can ride your bike to the peak at 6683ft!
Biltmore Estate- largest privately-owned home/mansion in the USA and has rich ties to the region.
One of the highest concentrations of summer camps across the USA, the ride will pass several along the route.
DuPont State Forest- used to be home to DuPont chemicals. Now a huge state forest with hundreds of miles of multi-use trails. Also Last of the Mohicans and the first Hunger Games movies were filmed there.
French Broad River- 218 miles in length, passes by the grounds of Sierra Nevada where the BWR race course passes over it on its way through the city of Asheville on route to Tennessee. The French Broad River State Trail follows the river for 117 miles.
There may be an opportunity to spy the rare white squirrel; NOT albino!
Course Info
We will provide the final routes, once permitted, the week of the event. Here is the info from 2022:
Waffle -
• 137-miles / 220-Kilometers ~14,000 feet of climbing
• 40% unroad/gravel, rocks, sand, grass, and mud
• Countless definitive climbs with never ending undulations
• Steepest grade of 29%
• 31 definitive sectors
• 3 KOM Sectors
• 3 KOS Sectors
• 3 KOD Sectors
• Feed Zones
• Numerous Water Crossings
Wafer -
68-miles / 111-Kilometers ~6,800 feet of climbing
• unroad/gravel, rocks, sand, grass, and mud 4 definitive climbs with never ending undulations
• Steepest grade of 28%
• numerous Feed Zones
Wanna -
•32.4-miles / 60-Kilometers ~1.750 feet of climbing
•Unroad/gravel, rocks, sand, grass, and mud and categorized climbs with never ending undulations
•Steepest grade of 18%
•unroad sectors / 4-miles worth / miles of off-road/gravel
• Most all questions can be answered in the FAQ section
•NO REFUNDS, NO DEFERRALS to 2024 EVENTS
•2023 Transfers to other events require a $25 admin fee
•Please purchase the event insurance to eliminate any worries of being refunded for entry fees if not able to make it. This is available during the checkout process during registration.
For information on becoming a sponsor/partner or for exhibiting in the expo please contact Michael Marckx: mmx@monumentsofcycling.com
LODGING INFO
Where to stay Kanuga Conference Center (BWR Venue Location)
