BWR NC: The Hell of the East
The fourth Annual Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina (Asheville) will occur on June 22 at Kanuga Resort near Asheville, an incredible destination 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’s event route will be shorter and less hilly, still featuring so much of the area’s glorious greenery. The Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina (Asheville) is possibly the hilliest of the BWR Series events. 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. The race will likely be run in hot and humid conditions, compounding the difficulty of the dynamic Unroad sectors. Strambecco rates the event as one of Southeast’s Best Gravel Cycling Events.
Belgian Waffle Ride Series
Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina (Asheville) is part of the unique and hugely popular Belgian Waffle Ride Series, a North American series offering some of the world’s most highly respected and well-organized gravel events/races. The Series is produced by Monuments of Cycling (MoC), conceived initially with the advent of “the most unique cycling event in the country,” the Belgian Waffle Ride California (San Diego). BWR California is well known among cycling enthusiasts and pros as one of the most difficult bicycle races in the US at 146 miles and 40 off-road sectors.
BWR events are unique because they are classic, long bicycle races that feature various off-road sectors emulating the pave or cobblestones of Europe, making the varied terrain a challenge for riders’ technical skills, equipment, endurance, luck, and versatility. While intentionally, none of the events feature mountains, they utilize a never-ending collection of punchy climbs that challenge riders mentally and physically. These are not races for the faint of heart and are designed to challenge riders of all stripes and sizes. Therein lies the allure of the Monuments of Cycling: extreme challenges that require months of preparation, training, the right equipment, tenacity, and karma.
Each BWR venue showcases a challenging ‘unroad’ multi-surface course that takes advantage of each beautiful location’s unique topography. Each route is uniquely designed to include a multitude of technically challenging sectors. Waffle courses range from 120-144 miles, Wafer courses between roughly 68-84 miles, and Wanna Rides, typically around 40 miles. Elevation gain will range from 6,500 feet to 14,000 feet for the various Waffle courses. The current roster of BWR events in 2024 includes BWR AZ (March 1-2), BWR UT (April 5-6), BWR CA (27-28), BWR NC (June 21-22), BWR BC (Sept 21-22), BWR Mexico (Queretaro – Nov 23-24). Monuments are also close to finalizing details of several new events for 2024, including another special event in Mexico.
The Tripel Crown of Gravel Series is a special competition within the full Belgian Waffle Ride Series lineup that involves participation in BWR Arizona, BWR Utah, and BWR California. It has been recreated to give riders, both professional and amateur alike, a chance to compete in three very different environments over a short period of time, offering the perfect blend of recovery and fitness gains for the early-season competition. The 2024 Tripel Crown will be contested for both Waffle and Wafer distances at BWR AZ (March 1-2), BWR UT (April 5-6), and BWR CA (Aril 27-28). The competition will be a points-based omnium format for professionals and age-group riders. Riders competing for the Tripel Crown honors and prize purse (for pros only) will be scored based on the points achieved over the three races. The BWR CA will carry extra weighted points to complete the series. There will be prize purses and prizes for the Male, Female, and Gender Diverse categories.
BWR NC Event Info
The 2024 route won’t be released until the eve of the event, but the 2023 event is representative of the challenge riders will face: 134 miles and 13,000 feet of climbing. The main Waffle route will feature many unpaved sections with various surfaces, from hard-packed and flat to loose, rocky, uphill, and downhill gravel. For those looking for a less challenging route, there will be a “Wafer” route running 75 miles or a 35-40 mile “Wanna” option.
Events kick off Friday & Saturday with the BWR Expo, pre-rides, and a comprehensive rider briefing. Sunday, race day, starts bright and early at 5 am with waffles and coffee to fuel the riders. By 7 am, the riders set off, with the first expected finisher zooming in around 1 pm. However, the course remains open until 7 pm, giving everyone a fair chance to complete the ride and claim their bragging rights. BWR offers a VIP Experience, including a VIP packet pick up, dinner, drinks, the exclusive course reveal, and co-mingling with pros, sponsors, and other cycling dignitaries.
Monuments of Cycling is investing in new ways to ensure rider support in nutrition and hydration is augmented for each event. You can expect well-marked and abundant traffic control personnel on the course, plus police and official vehicle escorts. Additionally, each location will be hosted by a legion of like-minded volunteers who come together to showcase the hospitality of the Asheville community. Throughout the ride, cyclists can find solace in the well-stocked aid stations every 20 miles. Asheville can be hot and steamy in the summer, and thunderstorms are common.
BWR events are also known for great SWAG. All participants receive the following:
- 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
- Waffles
- Beer
- Fully marked course with traffic control
- Stocked aid stations
- Bragging rights
Event Preparation & Training
To prepare for the challenges of a BWR experience, Monuments of Cycling has partnered with FasCat Coaching to create a customized Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina training plan. It is a comprehensive six-week training plan starting on January 22. Tailored to various skill levels and time commitments, the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced plans cater to participants taking on the 35-mile Wanna, 70-mile Wafer, or 130ish-mile Waffle courses. The centerpiece of each week is a progressively extended gravel simulation ride, mirroring the race’s demands. The plan includes nutrition and hydration tips practiced during these rides, ensuring holistic preparation. Starting with a field test to set training zones using the Optimize app, the program incorporates Sweet Spot and Tempo intervals, group rides, recovery techniques, rest days, yoga, and foundational exercises. As the event approaches, spicy intervals and a proper taper are integrated for peak performance on race day. For a personalized coaching experience and a waived start-up fee, consider hiring a FasCat Coach for a customized training solution.
Monuments of Cycling has also created the BWR Guide to Eating Like a Semi-Pro. It covers all aspects of cycling nutrition, including hydration, supplementation, gut training, carb-loading, recovery, on-bike feeding, and more. It’s not intended as a specific plan. Rather, it gives you the tools and knowledge to figure out what personally works for you as an athlete–and what doesn’t. The guide is available here. Also, note that The Feed, the largest online sports nutrition marketplace, is the official high-performance fuel sponsor of BWR events. As a part of the BWR community, you can get a special discount. You can find the details here.
Area Accommodations & Things to Do
The host location for the event is Ride Kanuga Bike Park located in Hendersonville, NC, 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 will run in hot and humid conditions over undulating terrain and difficult off-load sectors.
Hendersonville is a charming town in the western part of the state, approximately 22 miles south of Asheville. The town is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains and has a population of around 15,000. Hendersonville is known for its mild climate and beautiful scenery, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The town is surrounded by various natural attractions, including the Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and stunning views of the mountains. The town has an elevation of around 2,200 feet, with some nearby peaks reaching over 5,000 feet. The area is known for its rolling hills, scenic vistas, and dense forests, which make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Nearby, Asheville is known for its vibrant arts scene, eclectic restaurants, and craft breweries. It’s also a hub for outdoor recreation, with many nearby parks and trails for hiking, mountain biking, and other activities.
Check out Strambecco’s destination guide to Asheville for outdoor athletes here. The area also hosts another popular road cycling event each year in July, Gran Fondo Asheville, part of the prestigious Gran Fondo National Series.
The following route is a prior year route that will be updated for the 2024 event.
