Welkom to the fourth Annual Belgian Waffle Ride NC, which will take place on June 22 at Kanuga Resort near Asheville, which is an incredible destination nestled on 1,400 stunning acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This historic setting features a beautiful 30-acre lake, 20- miles of trails, and full-service meeting and lodging facilities for up to 440 guests.
This year we are planning a shorter and less hilly route that still features so much of the area’s glorious greenery. The race will be the fifth and maybe hilliest of the Belgian Waffle Rides. Last year it was roughly 131-miles and over 13,000 feet of climbing, making it the most challenging of all the 2023 BWR courses and earning it the title of THE HELL OF THE EAST. It’s probable the race will be run in hot and humid conditions, compounding the difficulty of the dynamic Unroad sectors.
Created as an extremely challenging race in the spirit of the great European one-day Spring Classics, the BWR, with a Belgique theme, is an unusually difficult Unroad Race. There are three distances on offer: The longer Waffle Ride, the half as long Wafer Ride, and for those looking to get a taste of the fun without the life-changing training commitment we’re offering the Wanna Ride. This fourth annual BWR NC 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.
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 VIPS 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 BWR Unroad Expo promises to be a cool cycling party and 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! Racers and event patrons will be treated to Belgian waffles and plenty of food options for attendees.
Here is the 2024 Course Information:
WAFFLE –
https://www.strava.com/routes/3208237795056275232
~116-miles
~11,000 feet of climbing
~16 Unroad sectors
49% Unroad - All the surfaces
3 Queen/King of the Mountain segments
3 Queen/King of the Dirt segments
3 Queen/King of the Sprint segments
7 Feed Zones
WAFER –
https://www.strava.com/routes/3223470868275852808
~68.5-miles
~7,400 feet of climbing
~12 Unroad sectors
44% Unroad - All the surfaces
5 Feed Zones
WANNA –
https://www.strava.com/routes/3223472483267310088
~33.4-miles
~3,400 feet of climbing
~5 Unroad sectors
35% Unroad - Most all the surfaces
3 Feed Zones
In terms of accouterments, every rider will receive:
BWR swag bag that contains many important items –
Sponsor Swag
BWR Premium branded item (like a bike bag, tee-shirt, or hat)
Race Number and RFID Tag (for official finishing time)
+ Pre- and Post-Race Waffles and coffee & beverages
+ Beer
+ Finisher’s Beer Trophy
+ Bragging Rights
+ Potential to win money or prizes as top competitors in respective categories
T-shirts and BWR branded gear is available at registration and at the race
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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is very close—one of few free National Parks in the USA among just being awesome
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!
For information on becoming a sponsor/partner or for exhibiting in the expo please contact Bryan: Bryan@monumentsofcycling.com
130 Kanuga Chapel Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28739
Van Life Onsite camping will be available soon as well as other options.
NOTE: Kanuga Resort is taking reservations now, but will sell out again!