This Belgian Waffle Ride Series event returns in 2023 after a successful 2022 debut. Produced by Monuments of Cycling, this event is already so acclaimed that Strambecco has already given it a Best Midwest Gravel Event designation. For the first time, Monuments of Cycling is bringing its iconic form of racing above the 45th parallel, where a vibrant cycling culture anticipates what is soon to be known as The Hell of the Great Lakes.
Belgian Waffle Ride events, created as extremely challenging races in the spirit of the great European one-day Spring Classics, are a unique series of North American races. In typical Belgian Waffle Ride fashion, course routes or downloads are released only days before the event in respect of private landowners and areas that are permitted only for that one special day a year. Many hints and communications will give all the information needed to choose the correct equipment and sector info for a successful ride. BWR Series events typically offer three main route options: The Waffle is 135 miles with 9100′ elevation gain. The Wafer is 74 miles of 5000′ elevation gain. Each route is 50+% “unroad” and typically a mix of road, gravel, single track, and everything in between, including deep sand.
BWR Michigan is the signature race as part of a weekend-long MoMITT Bike Fest. This weekend-long festival will include a refreshing menu of spectator-friendly bike races, an Expo featuring local crafts and global bike brands, a large beer garden, multiple food options, live music, and a venue with tons of family fun, set at Mt. Holiday in Traverse City. Traverse City is the ideal destination to have a vacation or long weekend. It’s easy to roll from one thing to the next as smoothly and fluidly as the roads and trails of this bike-buzzing town. Tour the wineries, scale a dune at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, or push off the Lake Michigan shoreline for a sunset cruise. Along with a host of close beach towns and bike hubs nearby, including Charlevoix, Sutton’s Bay, Glen Arbor, and Bellaire.
Like other BWR Series events in California, N. Carolina, Utah, and Kansas, the inaugural BWR Michigan race had a deep field of professional riders and an expansive list of hungry amateur riders drawn to the unparalleled opportunity to race alongside some of the best, like World Tour rider Peter Stetina, World Tour rider and local legend Alexey Vermeulen, and mountain bike champion Brennan Wertz and Hannah Otto. The Waffle will offer prize purses to the top three female and male riders! 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.
