Califorian’s biggest spring classic gran fondo tackled San Diego’s north county this past weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo-ainsse.  The Belgian Waffle Ride’s unique fun party atmosphere, 1000 rider mass-start format, ultra-tough course and impressive rider field is legendary.   

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ONLY 9 HOURS TILL MOST FINISH.  ©BELGIANWAFFLERIDE

Starting from Lost Abbey Brewing in San Marcos, the course challenged Waffle-ites with 12000′ climbing over 135 miles, including 40 miles of dirt, gravel, sand, rock and singletrack – and those were the easy parts…

World Tour pro Peter Stetina racing for Trek Segafredo was in town training for the Amgen Tour of California and joined the festivities.  He rode to victory in 6:20:37, while most mortal gran fondo riders finished in about 9 hours – or more.

CYCLING GRAN FONDO trek sega fredo uci
BIG ASS CHECKS FROM BIG WAFFLE RIDE. ©BELGIANWAFFLERIDE

“#BWR is one of the hardest 1 day events I’ve done, yet also one of the most fun & THE most unique. #gravelislegit. Today was an all out brawl and I dug deep to represent @TrekSegafredo well. The @TrekRaceShop equipment choice was 💯. Up next @AmgenTOC, ” Stetina tweeted afterwards.

CYCLING GRAN FONDO
MAYHEM RULES ON FIRST DIRT SECTOR. ©BELGIANWAFFLERIDE

gravel fONDO trek uci disc brakes stetina

STETINA’S WINNING BIKE ENJOYING LOST ABBEY BADASS ALE. ©BELGIANWAFFLERIDE

GRAN FONDO CALENDAR FOR USA CANADA MEXICO