The second BWR for 2021, presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will take place on August 21 in Asheville, 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 will be the longest of the series at roughly 144-miles and 12,000 feet of climbing. There will also be a 75-80(ish) Mile Wafer and 35-40(ish) Wanna Route (routes are subject to change by event day depending on approval by districts and counties) 

Course & Terrain Highlights: 

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 two 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.

The BWR will be offering a prize purse to the top five riders, both female and male. Last year the San Diego BWR female participation exploded and all the event stakeholders want to keep that growth going across the board.

This inaugural BWR Asheville 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, like World Tour rider, Peter Stetina, who won the 2019 San Diego edition. Racers and event patrons will be treated to Belgian waffles, Sierra Nevada beer, and a selection of delightful Sierra Nevada taproom menu items provided by their incredible catering team. The Waffle race itself promises unparalleled punishment for entrants along a 144-mile course, which features more than 12,000 feet of undulating climbs and over 40-miles of off-road 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 at Ride Kanuga on Friday, August 20. At this special event for the VIPs and media (open to all), we will host a crit-cross race, share various BWR films, 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.

On Friday and Saturday, the Expo is promising to be the coolest cycling party of the year! Expo festivities kick-off Friday, August 20 at 10:00 a.m. and are open to the public. The Belgian theme will be in full force with a host of unique entertainment features. A variety of beers reflecting the incredible brewing crafts of Sierra Nevada will be a featured attraction for this unique occasion. Attendees can peruse a wide range of offerings from event sponsors and over 40 vendors!

• The start and finish and expo are at Ride Kanuga; an incredible destination nestled on 1,400 stunning acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains.   
• 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 theEastern 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 you're visiting two states!
• Ride travels down part of theSaluda 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. 

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.
• 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!