BICYCLIST Magazine - #133

#13 southern california 3

Bicyclist Events | culture | LIFESTYLE

2016 CERVÉLO BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE

official ride report

+ URBAN ADVENTURE

the Brooklyn Bikes Roebling steel touring bike

+ SECOND LAP

a follow-up review on the e-bike to replace your car

+ ONE-WAY RIDE

building bikes to give to those in need

2016 EVENT CALENDAR | 2016 RACING CALENDAR | CLUB DIRECTORY

#socalbicyclist

Socalbicyclist.com

FREE

“I have tremendous respect for his exceptional professional ability and am grateful for what he accomplished on my behalf.” -Timothy W.

SERVING THE CYCLING COMMUNITY SINCE 1995 Thomas Forsyth has been practicing law for 26 years and has been representing cyclists since 1995. Mr. Forsyth is an expert in his field and offers free legal advise to all riders. When represented by an expert, there is no learning curve.

“I could trust that my case was in good hands, and I could focus on recovering from my injuries. I was very pleased with the professionalism, and also the personal care that they took in handling my case.” - Judy H.

“After meeting Tom at his office I was pleased to discover that he himself is an experienced cyclist and knows firsthand the trials we face everyday, as well as the love we feel for the sport.” - Kevin J.

Bicycle Attorney: Law Offices of Thomas F. Forsyth Serving all of California with offices in both Pasadena and San Jose

Pasadena (626) 240-4633 San Jose (408) 573-3670

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Contents 19

July 2016 Events | Culture | Lifestyle

10

events

BWR RIDE REPORT REGULARS

EDITOR'S NOTE Redux: Waffles & Steel Bikes NEW & NOTEWORTHY Did You Hear About...

READER'S RIDES Your Photos #socalbicyclist THE ELECTRIC AGE Pedego Stretch Follow-up LAST PAGE The One-Way Ride to Mexico

PROFILES

BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE Official Report

#133

18

provisions

profiles

BROOKLYN THE ONE-WAY ROEBLING RIDE TO MEXICO 4 6 8 9 18

19

PROVISIONS

BIKES Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Roebling SADDLES ISM Performance Narrow 1.1

10 12

EVENTS

2016 CYCLING EVENT CALENDAR 13 GRAVEL Adventure Racing / Grinders

COMPETITIVE MTB Get Dirty, Ride Clean COMPETITIVE ROAD Test Yourself RECREATION Help A Cause, Make New Friends ULTRA LENGTH 150 Miles And More ARTS & CULTURE Off The Bike

CLUBS

DIRECTORY Find Your Future Peloton

17

COVER Phil Tintsman mobbing down Saint Lusardi trail during BWR. Photo by Jake Orness. Read the full report on page 17.

southern california BICYCLIST

#133

3

REGULARS

Editor's Note

Redux: Waffles & Steel Bikes

A

s we glide into the lazy and hazy days of an expectedly overheated SoCal summer, we’re taking a look back over our shoulder before we speed into the second half of 2016.

For this issue, #133 of SCB, we bring you a 32-page dispatch on the 2016 Belgian Waffle Ride. We are very excited for the opportunity to share with you the stories from this event and hope you find the writing and photography as inspirational as

we did. With less than a year until friendly triple-front Shimano the 2017 edition of BWR, training drivetrain, the bike’s design starts now! acknowledges the challenges of a While we’re looking back, in daily commute or loaded tour and the last issue of SCB, we brought is realistic about the needs of the you a collection of five steel average cyclist. bikes suitable for varying types What adventures will you find of work commutes. This issue, we this summer? Let us know! submit a sixth, a bike that stands out in terms of value, utility, and See you on the route, longevity, the Brooklyn Roebling.

Backed by a lifetime warranty on the frame, front and rear rack and fender mounts and a touring-

Chris R .

REGULARS

#133 - July 2016

About EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTORS

Kelley O’Toole - KO | Managing Editor kelley@socalbicyclist.com

READ/FOLLOW/LIKE

Chris Reynolds - CR | Editorial Director chris@socalbicyclist.com

Victor Prestinary - VP | Editor-at-Large victor@socalbicyclist.com Catherine Latour | Senior Editor catherine@socalbicyclist.com Tim Wilson - TW | Associate Editor tim@socalbicyclist.com Bob Becker - BB | Senior Writer bob@socalbicyclist.com

ADVERTISING

Victor Prestinary | Advertising Coordinator victor@socalbicyclist.com

ONLINE

Chris Reynolds | Design & Development chris@socalbicyclist.com Kelley O’Toole | Social Media   kelley@socalbicyclist.com Tim Wilson | Social Media  tim@socalbicyclist.com

DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS Victor Prestinary | Director victor@socalbicyclist.com

PUBLISHING

Chris Reynolds | Director chris@socalbicyclist.com

4

Cate Clark, Justin Macias, Andreas Moore, Samuel Parks www.socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   /socalbicyclist  #socalbicyclist

SUBMISSIONS & CONTACT

Contact info@socalbicyclist.com for editorial guidelines and information.

Southern California Bicyclist 14252 Culver Drive Irvine, CA 92604 (949) 264-3346 contact@socalbicyclist.com Designed and Printed in SoCal Founded by Will Decker All photography and design performed in-house by Chris Reynolds & Victor Prestinary unless otherwise noted.

Read us on

VITALS & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Southern California Bicyclist is a multi-platform lifestyle and destination guide celebrating the arts, skills, events, and culture of the cycling life in Southern California and other locations in the Western U.S. SCB is published 10 times per year.

The print edition can be found at more than 1000 locations and events throughout California and adjacent states. Find a location near you or view the interactive, digital version at www.socalbicyclist.com Print copy subscriptions are $20 per year for 10 print issues delivered to the destination of your choice in the United States. International print subscriptions are $35. For more information, visit www.socalbicyclist.com/subscribe Copyright ©2016 All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER

Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/or factual errors which may occur on an issue basis. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers for unsolicited materials/articles/letters /advertising and all submissions will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright and/or appropriate licensing purposes subject to SCB’s right to edit and comment editorially. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine reflect the opinions of their respective author’s and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or electronic] without prior consent of the publisher.

Bicycling can be a dangerous sport and can lead to serious injury or death. Make it safer for everyone and obey all traffic laws, ride responsibly, use common sense, and wear a helmet.

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REGULARS

Have something to say

New & Noteworthy

Did You Hear About The...

COMPONENTS Shimano’s Trail-Ready eMTB Drivetrain GEAR Sub-$500 Crank Arm Power Meter

Pioneer Electronics Releases New Iteration Of Their Shimano-Specific Training Tool

XT Fit and Finish Combined With PAS For the Trail

Pioneer Electronics has released a power meter kit which allows consumers to install a single leg meter to Shimano Dura Ace, Ultegra or 105 left crank arms.

The kit, which can be added to existing 11-speed arm lengths of 165 to 180 millimeters, retails for $499.99.

As expected, Shimano has developed a trail-specific version of their STePS e-bike drivetrain. The all new e-MTB components, which are designed to deliver XT level fit and finish, are pedal-assist (PAS) only, RIDE Inaugural Malibu Gran Cookie Dough powered by a 500 wh battery specifically designed for off-road riding and can be mixed with 10 or 11 speed bits with either Di2 or mechanical shifting.

FIND THE CHAIN LINK

A small icon (exactly like this one: ) is hidden somewhere in this issue. If you locate it and enter our Find The Chain Link contest, you may win a FREE one-year subscription (or an additional year for existing subscribers) to the print edition of SCB. To enter, go to socalbicyclist.com/ftc and complete the online entry form or send an entry with your name and phone number to FTC c/o Southern California Bicyclist 14252 Culver Dr. Irvine, CA 92604. Entries must be received by May 20, 2016 for consideration. The winning entry will be selected using a random-number generator and announced in a future print issue.

LAST ISSUE'S WINNER Robert Kleinhample

(Bakersfield, CA) Issue #132 - Page 17 The winner of last issue's FTC drawing was Robert Kleinhample.

He correctly identified the icon on page 17, located on the back of the cycletruck rider. His patternrecognition skills have earned him a one-year print subscription to SCB magazine.

6

Team Cannondale rider Phil Gaimon brings you his favorite cookies paired with his favorite routes, throughout Malibu and PCH

Pro racer Phil Gaimon announced his version of the granfondo, The Malibu Gran Cookie Dough, scheduled for November 6 in Los Angeles. The multi-length ride highlights his love of cookies and climbing. The MGCD will have three route options traversing the Santa Monica mountains with cookie magic sprinkled along the way courtesy of Chief Baker and Chef Jeff Mahin. For more info on the cookie ride, visit philsfondo.com Send your news, updates and corrections to editor@socalbicyclist.com

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SCB.FM WEEKLY EPISODES WITH THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF

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Reader's Rides

#Socalbicyclist  Our Favorites

Amgen Tour of California at Gibraltar Road

Fairview Nature Park

Mission Peak

Quasi Tabletop in Los Angeles

@teedeevu

@meestamiles

@bradleycnelson

@miles_sellers

Show Us Awesome &win All chosen photos win the highly coveted, much sought after awesome sauce Purist water bottle. To be considered, follow @socalbicyclist on Instagram and tag your rides with #socalbicyclist. Congratulations to this month's winners!

8

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REGULARS

Pedego Stretch Cargo Bike Revisited

T

Electric Age

The Long-Term Test

he Pedego Stretch cargo bike, originally evaluated in Issue #129, has been retained by SCB for the last four months. We plan to share our experiences with the bike in the future issues as "Stretch" has been very popular with the SCB staff.

This cargo bike seems to be on loan constantly and every staff member has used it for various purposes, such as commuting, running errands, grocery shopping, and transporting camera equipment.

Of course, recreational riding, including a 16mile off-road jaunt with a couple thousand feet of elevation gain, must be included in the list of uses.

Dapu's 500-watt brushless, geared motor provides smooth, rapid acceleration in any of the five levels of pedal assist (PAS) or by using the throttle. The BB7 cable-actuated brakes, which the staff favors for its linear pull disc system, stop the bike quickly and decisively. Wide 24-inch tires absorb uneven terrain and help maintain balance when the bike strikes an unplanned rut in the road.

The ingenious quick release handlebar stem allows customization of the bike to accommodate the different heights of the staff. Other useful features include the multi-purpose racks, front and rear lights,

southern california BICYCLIST

The Stretch Cargo Electric Bike From Pedego touring the California coastline.

and center stand. To date, Pedego's cargo bike has performed its various tasks successfully. We look forward to sharing more about the Pedego Stretch Cargo Bike. -BB

#133

9

Brooklyn Roebling Peters Canyon Trail, Orange County

10

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist

Begin your career in adventure The utility and functionality of Brooklyn Bicycle Company's Roebling hybrid is impressive. With a design inspired by the father-son Roebling engineers of the Brooklyn Bridge, this bike offers a solid frameset and platform for heavy commuting or light touring. The 4130 steel frame is light but strong, providing a comfortable riding position for hauling gear.

The Shimano Acera drivetrain shifts smoothly and precisely with light action, and includes a large tensioner and guide pulleys to reduce noise and wear. The components are as reliable as any Shimano products we've tested, and the 3x8 gearing offers a wide range of options for any slope, condition or load. Cantilever Brakes ensure powerful braking in rougher conditions and allow for other options of wheel and tires. The Urban Flat Bar is excellent for use with a backpack, but you can just as easily load up the Roebling with your favorite front and rear racks. Fenders can also be installed for commuters in rainier regions.

This bike is ready for adventure out of the box, but it can easily accommodate any upgrades you might want to incorporate for your various travels. With a quality matte black finish, this frame holds up to dirt and looks pretty sharp. With an affordable price range, the Roebling is perfect for anyone commuting over tough roads, thinking about getting into bike touring or looking for a simple weekend adventure. Brooklyn Bicycle Company offers a lifetime warranty on all frames; meaning that with proper care, the Roebling can last decades. -VP ($499, brooklynbicycleco.com)

Complete photo gallery at socalbicyclist.com search "Roebling"

southern california BICYCLIST

#133

11

PROVISIONS

Saddles

ISM PN 1.1 Saddle Maximum Thigh Clearance

ismseat.com: The PN 1.1 is 110mm wide, offering superb thigh and hamstring clearance. This allows for more rider body movement around the seat, and is great for diving into fast corners.

A

fter the ISM nose-less saddle was installed on my bike, several people asked me whether I was a Tri-athlete. The distinctive style of ISM saddles seems to often be associated with Time Trial and Triathlons. However, I don’t run much and I certainly don't swim. I was primarily interested in this saddle for its all-around road use. Since I planned to ride the Wafer during the Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR), I figured the gravel roads and single track would be good tests for this saddle. I found that the PN 1.1 40 had sufficient padding, which helped with the bumps while riding gravel, but it didn’t feel too soft.

On my traditional saddle, even with an anatomical ‘cut-out’, I would occasionally experience some numbness in prolonged aero positions. This never occurred with the ISM saddle, and I now understand why they are so popular for TT and Tri applications.

During the long, sustained climbs, I found myself getting out of the saddle less often than usual, simply because I was more comfortable. This definitely helped during the loose gravel climbs of the BWR where you have to stay seated to maintain traction.

Overall, I liked this saddle and definitely recommend it for any road cyclist putting in long hours. -TW I had installed the saddle a few weeks before the ($149.95, ismseat.com) BWR so I would have time to set it up properly and adjust to riding on it. The design of an ISM saddle requires that it be moved back a few inches so it sits a bit lower than the usual saddle height. This positions your weight onto the sit bones and off the soft tissue. After a few rides where I tweaked the position of the saddle, I found what I felt to be a good fit. With a proper set up, and after pedaling a few hundred miles, I definitely came to appreciate this design.

12

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EVENTS

2016 5 Sunday

5-11 Multi

6 Monday

7 Tuesday

9 Thursday

11 Saturday

12 Sunday

June

America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride Lake Tahoe Bike the West ROAD: 100 , 72 miles Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 89449 AIDS LifeCycle LA LGBT Center ROAD: 7 days supported Cow Palace, 94014

SF to LA

LAVRA Monday Night Sprints Carson Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Association TRACK: 250 meters VELO Sports Center, 90746 Over the Hump Family Night Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676 Quick N Dirty Summer Series #3 Escondido Quick N Dirty MTB: 4.5 mile course Lake Hodges, 92033 Tour of Two Forests Double Santa Clarita Planet Ultra ROAD: 198 miles / 13220’ Hampton Inn, 91381

June

25 Saturday

Climb to Kaiser Fresno Cycling Club ROAD: 155 miles / 15,000’ Alta Sierra Middle School, 93619

King Ride Dirt Supreme Occidental Grasshopper Adventure Series ROAD: 83 miles / 8900’ Occidental Community Center, 95465

25 Sunday

Clovis

LA Wheelmen Grand Tour California Triple Crown ROAD: 400, 300, 200, 125 miles Malibu, CA

Malibu

26 Sunday

626 Golden Streets San Gabriel Valley Bike San Gabriel Valley 17+ miles of open streets 7 San Gabriel Valley cities

30 Thursday

Quick n Dirty Summer Series #6 Quick N Dirty MTB: 4.5 mile course Lake Hodges, 92033

Escondido

Shevock’s Sierra Surprise Foresthill California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 80, 62 miles Foresthill, 95631 Ride Around the Bear Redlands Orange County Wheelmen ROAD: 100 miles / 9,000’ Sylvan Park, 92374

Los Angeles River Ride Santa Clarita Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition ROAD: 100, 70, 50, 36, 25, 15 miles Hampton Inn, 91381 Salsa Ride at the Border Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition ROAD: 66, 36 miles The Outlets at the Border, 92173

San Ysidro

14 Tuesday

Race Across the West RAAM Qualifier ROAD: 900+ miles The Strand, 92054

Over the Hump End of 1st Half Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

16 Thursday

Quick n Dirty Summer Series #4 Quick N Dirty MTB: 4.5 mile course Lake Hodges, 92033

23 Thursday

Quick n Dirty Summer Series #5 Quick N Dirty MTB: 4.5 mile course Lake Hodges, 92033

18 Saturday

CALENDAR

Terrible Two Double Century California Triple Crown ROAD: 200 miles and 200k Analy High School, 92054

southern california BICYCLIST

Oceanside

Escondido

Sebastopol

Escondido

GUIDE TO THE CALENDAR WE DO OUR BEST TO COMB THE WILD WEST of cycling event websites to get the information you need to make the most of your time in the saddle.

We provide this comprehensive listing, without endorsement, but we ask that you support the events that support the magazine.

Do you have an event you’d like to list? Submit for free at socalbicyclist.com/events

SIGNS & SYMBOLS COMPETITION events with posted participants and results ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS growing the community #133

13

EVENTS

2016

CALENDAR 9 Sunday

July

Borrego Double Century California Triple Crown ROAD: 192 miles / 16000’ Hacienda Del Sol, 92004

Borrego Springs

2 Tuesday

August

Over the Hump Family Night Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

16 Saturday

Tehachapi MTB BrewFondo Tehachapi Tehachapi Mountain Trails Association MTB: 27 miles / 3,500’ Willow Springs Rd, 93561

6 Saturday

Tour de Big Bear Big Bear Cycling Festival ROAD: 100, 70, 50, 20 miles Big Bear Lake, 92315

16-17 Multi

Cycling for Sight Blind Stokers Club ROAD: 2-day Tour Trek Bicycle Superstore, 92069

San Marcos

9 Tuesday

Over the Hump Week #10 Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

17 Sunday

Beach Babe Bicycling Classic California Girl Series ROAD: 38, 15 miles Pierport Landing, 90802

Long Beach

16 Tuesday

19 Tuesday

Over the Hump 2nd Half Begins Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

20 Saturday

Over the Hump Week #11 Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

23 Tuesday

Telo Criterium So-Cal Fixed Series ROAD: Brakeless Crit Torrance, 90505

Torrance

27 Sunday

Over the Hump Finale Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

Grizzly 100/75 Big Bear Cycling Festival MTB: 100k and 75k Big Bear Lake, 92315

Big Bear

Big Bear Cycling Festival Big Bear Cycling Rides and Festival Big Bear Lake, 92315

Big Bear

23 Saturday

Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe Bicycle Ride and Wine Festival ROAD: 36 miles / 25 wineries Guadalupe, MX

26 Tuesday

Over the Hump Week #8 Silverado Over the Hump MTB: 4+ mile course Irvine Lake, 92676

Big Bear MTB Gran Fondo Big Bear Cycling Festival MTB: 50k, 30k, and 20k Big Bear Lake, 92315

24 Sunday

30 Saturday

30-7 Multi

Big Bear

Cool Breeze Century Ventura Channel Islands Bicycle Club ROAD: 125, 100(2), 60, 30 miles Ventura Unified School District Office

Central Coast Classique Arroyo Grande Central Coast Classique ROAD: 100, 64, 30 miles Arroyo Grande, 93421

Big Bear

SIGNS & SYMBOLS COMPETITION events with posted participants and results ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! SCB SUPPORTERS #keepSCBfree

14

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EVENTS

2016 September

10 Saturday

White Mountain Double California Triple Crown ROAD: 200 miles / 12500’ La Quinta Inn, 93514

11 Sunday

Giro di San Diego CAF Operation Rebound ROAD: 105, 65, 38 miles Fletcher Cover, 92075

24 Saturday

Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride ROAD: 50 miles Rosarito Beach Hotel, MX

17 Saturday

Bishop

Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle Best Buddies International ROAD: 100, 62, 30, 15 miles Carmel to San Simeon

Solana Beach

Tehachapi GranFondo City of Tehachapi ROAD: 100, 70, 50, 38, 18 miles Centennial Plaza, 93561

Tehachapi

Rosarito

Ride with the Tide Redondo Beach South Bay Sunrise Rotary Club ROAD: 62, 31, 15.5 miles Redondo Beach Pier, 90277

24-1 Multi

California Coast Classic The Arthritis Foundation ROAD: 525 miles San Francisco to Los Angeles

Santiago Oaks XC Race Non Dot Adventures MTB: 7.5 mile course Irvine Regional Park, 92869

Orange

San Francisco

28 Sunday

Cool Breeze Century Ventura Channel Islands Bicycle Club ROAD: 125, 100(2), 60, 30 miles Ventura Unified School District Office

Bike the Bay San Diego San Diego County Bicycle Coalition ROAD: 25 miles Embarcadero Marine Park South, 92101

28 Sunday

The END Criterium So-Cal Fixed Series ROAD: Brakeless Crit Santa Fe Springs, 90670

Santa Fe Springs

EVENT ORGANIZERS IS YOUR EVENT NOT LISTED ?

Event listings are FREE!

CALENDAR

October

1 Saturday

Tour de Camp Pendleton Solana Beach Hard Corps Race Series ROAD: 100, 75, 50, 25 miles Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

3-8 Multi

California Dream Ride San Luis Obispo California Bicycle Coalition ROAD: 280 miles San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

Westlake Village Century Westlake Village Stonehaus at the Westlake Village Inn ROAD: 100, 84, 40 miles Stonehaus, 91361

15 Saturday

Solvang’s Finest Century Planet Ultra ROAD: 100, 60 miles Santa Ynez Valley Marriott

15-21 Multi

Million Dollar Challenge San Francisco Challenged Athletes Foundation ROAD: 620 miles San Francisco to San Diego

16-22 Multi

Buellton

Solvang Autumn Double California Triple Crown ROAD: 194 miles / 11500’ Santa Ynez Valley Marriott

Buellton

Honor Ride: California Challenge Ride 2 Recovery ROAD: 450 miles Palo Alto to Los Angeles

Palo Alto

22 Saturday

Oceanside Double Century California Triple Crown ROAD: 194 miles / 15700’ Oceanside Days Inn, 92054

OC Ride for AIDS AIDS Services Foundation ROAD: 100, 62 miles William R. Mason Regional Park

22-23 Multi

Bike MS: Bay to Bay 2016 National Multiple Sclerosis Society ROAD: 150, 125, 100, 25 miles Orange County to San Diego

Oceanside

Irvine

TBA

29 Saturday

Victor Valley Bicycle Tour Victor Valley ROAD: 100, 62, 25 miles Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville

Santa Barbara Endurance Race XC MTB Marathons MTB: 100 miles, 100k, 50k Lower Oso Picnic Area, 93105

30 Sunday

SLO Gran Fondo Presented by Avila Beach ROAD: 100, 61, 25 miles Avila Beach Golf Resort, 93424

Filthy 50 Escondido Quick N Dirty MTB: 50, 30 miles Lake Hodges, 92033

Santa Barbara Avila Beach

Visit SOCALBICYCLIST.COM/EVENTS to submit your event. southern california BICYCLIST

#133

15

EVENTS

2016

CALENDAR

November

6 Sunday

Malibu Gran Cookie Dough Malibu Phil Gaimon of Cannondale Pro Cycling ROAD: 114, 86, 42 miles Hyatt Regency Westlake, 91361

Tour del Toro Boys & Girls Club ROAD: 50, 25 miles Lake Forest Sports Park, 92630

12 Saturday

Operation: Ride for the Red American Red Cross ROAD: 100, 50, 30 miles Camarillo, CA

Casper’s Wilderness XC Race Non Dot Adventures MTB: 4.2 and 6.5 mile loops Casper’s Wilderness, 92675

Camarillo

Lake Forest

San Juan Capistrano

10 Saturday

December

Dirty 30 Quick N Dirty MTB: TBA TBA

TBA

Daily news & Updates Follow on facebook facebook.com/Socalbicyclist SIGNS & SYMBOLS COMPETITION events with posted participants and results ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! SCB SUPPORTERS #keepSCBfree

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16

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CLUBS Racing Opportunity Advocacy

Orange County All-Mountain Trail Riders

meetup.com/allmountaintrailriders

3F Bicycling Club 3fbc.com

Off-Road Off-Road

Beach Cities Women Cyclists bcwcyclists.wix.com/bcwc

Road

Beach Area Recumbent Riders Road bikeroute.com/RecumbentRides.htm Bicycle Club of Irvine bikeirvine.org

Road

Canyon Velo

canyonvelo.org

Mixed

Christian Cycling

christiancycling.com

Mixed

Ciclistas Capistrano Bicycle Club ciclistascapistrano.com

Road

Cycles Veloce cyclesveloce.com

Road

OCrider.com ocrider.com

Mixed

OC Women on Wheels socalbicyclist.com/ocwow

Road

Orange Coast ocvelo.com

Road

Orange County Rebel Riders ocrebels.com

Road

Orange County Wheelmen ocw.org

Mixed

Rock n’ Road Divas

rocknroadcyclery.net

Mixed

SHARE

sharemtb.com

Off-Road

Supercolony supercolony.cc

Road

Team Velo Sport

teamvelosport.com The Warrior’s Society warriorssociety.org

Mixed

Off-Road

Trail Angels trailangels.com

Off-Road

TRU Cycling

trucycling.org

Mixed

Veloce Santiago velocesantiago.com

Road

VeloViet veloviet.com

Mixed

Team Unlikely Cyclist

Road

Cyclone Coaster cyclonecoaster.com

Road

Different Spokes (LGBT) differentspokes.com

Mixed

Girlz Gone Riding girlzgoneriding.com

Off-Road

Covina Cycle Club meetup.com/Covina-Cycle-Club

Road

Mixed

Ranchos Cycling Club ranchoscycling.org

Mixed

Recyclers sdrecyclers.org

Road

Road Ride with Javi ridewithjavi.com

Los Angeles Wheelmen lawheelmen.org

Road

San Diego Bicycle Club sdbc.org

Major Motion Cycling Club majormotioncycling.com

Road

San Diego Bicycle Touring Society Road efgh.com/sdbts

Marina del Rey Cycle Club mdrcc.org

Road

San Diego Cyclo-Vets cyclo-vets.org

Road

San Diego Wheelmen sandiegowheelmen.com

Road

Swami’s Cycle Club swamis.org

Road

Over the Bars otbmbc.com

Off-Road

Palos Verdes Bicycle Club pvbikeclub.net

Road

Pasadena Athletic Association paacycling.net

Mixed

Pasadena Mountain Bike Club Off-Road pmbc.org San Fernando Valley Bicycle Club Road sfvbc.org Santa Clarita Velo

santaclaritavelo.org

Road

SCOR bikescor.com

Road

South Bay Wheelman sbwheelmen.org

Velo Allegro Cycling Club veloallegro.org Velo Club La Grange lagrange.org

West L.A. Cycling Club wlacyclingclub.com

Road

Mixed Mixed Road

San Diego Bike Buddies bikebuddies.org

Road

Blind Stokers Club blindstokersclub.org

Road

Celo Pacific

celopacific.org Girlz Gone Riding girlzgoneriding.com

Los Angeles Off-Road

Ramona Fun Riders ramonafunriders.com

Lightning Velo

lightningvelo.org

Mountain Bike Assistance Unit cuyamacasp.org

Road

Mixed

Road

Major Taylor Cycling Club mtccsd.org

Beach Cities Cycling Club bccclub.org

North County Cycle Club northcountycycleclub.com

Grand Masters Cycling grandmasterscycling.org

meetup.com/Orange-County-Women-on-Wheels

CORBA

corbamtb.com

Directory

Southern California Clubs

Club not listed? socalbicyclist.com/clubs

Mixed Off-Road Road O ff-Road

North Coast Velo northcoastvelo.com

Road

North County Cruisers northcountycruisers.org

Road

southern california BICYCLIST

Road

Road

Team Green (Vegan) officialteamgreen.com

Mixed

Valle Verde Velo vvvelo.com

Road

Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside Big Bear Cycling Association bigbearcycling.com

Mixed

Butts on Bikes Inland Empire bobie.org

Road

Channel Islands Bicycle Club cibike.org

Road

Conejo Valley Cyclists cvcbike.org

Mixed

Cycling Connection cyclingconnection.org

Road

Desert Bicycle Club cycleclub.com

Road

Girlz Gone Riding girlzgoneriding.com

Off-Road

North Ranch Mountain Bikers Off-Road nrmbc.org Project HERO Ventura socalbicyclist.com/projecthero

Road

Redlands Water Bottle Transit Co. Road rwbtc.org Ride Yourself Fit rideyourselffit.org

Road

Riverside Bicycle Club riversidebicycleclub.com

Mixed

San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club slobc.org

Road

Tailwinds Bicycle Club tailwindsofsantamariabc.org

Road

Temecula Velo temeculavelo.com

Mixed

#133

17

REGULARS

Last page

The One Way Ride Orange County to Rosarito

O

Steve Loughran, Miguel Perea, John Renowden, Rob Tripp, and Stuart Gaston departing from Orange County.

n an early Thursday morning, we met up with five cyclists preparing to take off on their pilgrimage from Irvine to Mexico for the annual Rosarito to Ensenada Bike Ride.

Steve Loughran Miguel Perea, John Renowden, Rob Tripp, and Stuart Gaston loaded their custom-built bikes with gear for a weekend of camping and riding that would conclude with the donation of their bicycles to the One Way Ride Program associated with the R-E event. Although some public figures argue for isolation from our neighbors to the south, these cyclists would rather bridge the border and connect with them.

The One Way Ride Program officially began in 2012, but these men have been carrying on this tradition for over a decade. It all started after the 2001 Rosarito to Ensenada ride when local resident Raymond “Randy” Kiefer and his riding partner, Hank Williamson, generously gave away their bicycles to two local teenage boys who were hanging around the finish line watching the riders come in. After a few minutes breaking through language barriers using the universal method of hand and

18

body gestures, the men began to understand each other. Randy and Hank hitched a ride back to base camp to carpool back home, and the two teenagers rode away with a brand new set of wheels.

For 14 years Randy has continued the ritual of spending a few months before the ride building bicycles in his garage.

Over time, friends like Steve, Miguel, John, Robb and Stuart, and others from his local bike club OC Wheelmen, have joined him in this venture and built their own bikes to give away. In addition to the 50 miles they will eventually ride to Ensenada, Randy and his band of cyclists will usually ride from Irvine to Tijuana to Rosarito a few days before the event. They camp out and spend the weekend enjoying the electric vibe that runs through Baja California.

Currently, the One Way Ride Program facilitates the donation process and decides which of the various organizations the bicycles will be donated, such as Hospital of the Californias, DIF Municipal, Inmudere, Walking with Sense, Red Cross Bikers San Quintin, Auxiliary Police, and others.

Without the inspiring generosity

of Randy and friends, programs like the One Way Ride Program would not exist.

Though the May ride has passed, another opportunity to contribute to the One Way Ride Program is coming up. On September 24, Randy and friends will be riding again for the fall version of Rosarito to Ensenada. They hope to donate even more bikes than they did in May, surpassing the group’s current record of 21 bikes. To register for the event visit rosaritoensenada.com and if you’re interested in participating in Randy’s weekend adventure send us an inquiry at events@ socalbicyclist.com. -KO

Next issue

Available in Print July 2016

#134

MARIN 30TH ANNIVERSARY Four Corners Elite

SUMMER PREVIEW

MTB/ROAD/RECREATION/FOOD&DRINK Don’t Miss A Single Issue Print subscriptions available at scbmag.com

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

BWR THE MOST UNIQUE CYCLING EVENT IN THE COUNTRY

2016 CERVELO BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE

APRIL 2016

BWR T H E M O S T U N I Q U E C YC L I N G E V E N T I N T H E C O U N T R Y

EDITOR Jenna Klein Michael Marckx ART DIRECTION Joe Yule CONTRIBUTORS

contents 06

THE RIDE:

Introducing the Cervélo Belgian Waffle Ride

Amanda Nauman André Szucs Casey Cohenmeyer Dave Koesel

10

THE RECAPITULATION:

16

THE COURSE:

21

THE WORTHY:

Dave Zabriske

Waffles, Ale and Countless Dirt Trails

Joshua Berry Jon Hornbeck Juan Carlos Hernandez Kristin Mayer MMX “One Arm” Willie Stewart Phillip Tinstman

2016 BWR Course Map

Special Awards and Results

Ryan Steers Scott Lundy PHOTOGRAPHERS Jake Orness Lukas Keenan Phil Beckman

24 26 30

THE LONE WOLF:

Joshua Berry’s Road to Victory

THE RIDER'S POV:

Insight from the Inside

THE PEOPLE :

Special Acknowledgments

TOP TO BOTTOM A mass start unlike anything else / Orness Breakfast of champions from GGG / Beckman Off the front with Joshua Berry / Orness Podium smiles from Ryan Steers and Scott Lundy / Orness

COVER Joshua Berry kicks the Mule Photo: Jake Orness

Get in on the pain and find out how you can ride the 2017 Cervélo Belgian Waffle Ride at Facebook.com/belgianwaffleride or on Instagram at @belgianwaffleride

FIVE YEARS AGO THE CERVÉLO BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE (BWR) WAS CREATED IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GREAT MONUMENTS OF CYCLING—THOSE LONG, UNDULATING ONE-DAY EVENTS KNOWN COLLECTIVELY AS THE SPRING CLASSICS. THESE EXCITING AND UNPREDICTABLE RACES ACROSS PARTS OF EUROPE—ESPECIALLY BELGIUM—OWE THEIR LORE, DRAMA AND PAGEANTRY TO THE OFF-ROAD (COBBLED) SECTORS THAT PUNCTUATE THEIR PARCOURSES UNDERNEATH THE DRIZZLE OF SPRING IN THE BENELUX REGION. A TRULY UNIQUE EVENT REPLETE WITH 17 OFF-ROAD SECTORS, DOZENS OF CLIMBS, WIND, WAFFLES, MOULES-FRITES AND LOST ABBEY ALE, THE BWR NOT ONLY PROFFERS A TASTE OF EUROPEAN BIKE RACING, IT HAS BECOME THE PLACE TO EXPERIENCE IT IN NORTH AMERICA. ALTHOUGH A SERIES OF EVENT COMMUNIQUÉS ARE SENT TO RIDERS WITH INTENTIONS TO ENTERTAIN AND EDIFY THEM ON THE IMMINENT CHALLENGES AHEAD, THESE WARNINGS AREN’T ALWAYS HEEDED, AND LIKE CLOCKWORK, RIDERS ARE CAUGHT OFF-GUARD MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND WITH THE WRONG GEARING AS THEY NAVIGATE A STRING OF CLIMBS, SAND PITS AND UNEXPECTED SURPRISES ALONG THE WAY. NOT UNLIKE THE SPRING CLASSICS, THE CERVÉLO BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE COURSE CHANGES EACH YEAR, AND THIS YEAR’S TRIP WAS LONGER, BUMPIER, STEEPER, DIRTIER, AND QUITE SIMPLY PUT, MORE DIFFICULT THAN IT’S EVER BEEN. A TRULY DIFFERENT EDITION THAT TOOK ITS CUES FROM THE BEST SECTORS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS, HERE’S A TASTE OF WHAT THE RIDERS ENCOUNTERED DURING THIS YEAR’S RONDE.

WELKOM TO THE WA 235 65 KILOMETERS (146 MILES)

KILOMETERS OF DIRT

13

CATEGORIZED CLIMBS

“SOMETIMES YOU ARE THE HAMMER AND OTHERS THE NAIL; DURING THE BWR YOU CAN ACTUALLY BE BOTH.” - PHIL TINSTMAN

AFFLE

3 12,896 14

CATEGORY 2 CLIMBS

FEET OF CLIMBING

WATER CROSSINGS

FOUR

BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE FINISHES

FOUR

IRONMAN ® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP KONA FINISHES

ZERO

OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT

Photo: Jake Orness | jpov.net "One-Arm" Willie Stewart has done it all. He's a Paralympic medalist in cross-country skiing, IRONMAN® and XTERRA World Championship finisher, 6-time Leadville Trail 100 MTB finisher, 15-time Escape from Alcatraz triathlete and course record holder, 2-time finisher of the HURT 100 mile run in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has kayaked the Grand Canyon with one arm - all because of the support you provided him and thousands of other challenged athletes around the world.

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. VISIT CHALLENGEDATHLETES.ORG It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.

@CAFOUNDATION #TEAMCAF

Challenged Athletes Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #33-0739596

TRULY TOUGH

“ONE ARM” WILLIE STEWART I typically don’t talk much about the BWR immediately following the event, because like a fine beer or wine, it needs to be savored before the experience—or in this case accomplishment—sinks in.

As cyclists, we can be arrogant at times. The challenge of the BWR brings us back to earth and reminds us why we love to ride. Every year I bitch and whine about how hard it is, and every year I love the taste of Lost Abbey even more when I finish. I can promise you’ll be forced to push past your limits, and that’s what makes it so awesome.

BECKMAN

On top of the hallucinations at the Oasis, the never-ending climbs and the headwinds, the BWR raises money for The Challenged Athletes Foundation—an organization that puts thousands of people with disabilities back on the playing field. This is one of the hardest rides in the United States, yet they still raise money for people with disabilities. This funding helps provide prosthetics, hand cycles and other equipment for individuals looking to return to activities we sometimes take for granted. The BWR welcomes all abilities to toe the line, giving people equal access and opportunity to fail or succeed, and in life, that’s all we can ever ask for. The opportunity to feel alive, or to enjoy life at it’s fullest, or to find out when we’re weakest. These moments are what I crave, and that’s why you’ll find me back every year!

ANDRÉ SZUCS I may not be a pro cyclist racing around the world, but the BWR has to be one of the most creative and difficult courses on the planet. It’s famous for bringing feelings of anxiety and fear, but it also brings a deep sense of accomplishment to all who finish.

Isn’t that what we’re all looking for in a challenge?

When I first attempted the BWR in 2014, I casually told myself it would be easy. I failed to give the course the proper respect, and a half-mile into the first off-road section…I quit! The wrong equipment and the wrong mentality stopped me once, but I couldn’t let this happen again.

PHOTO: LORENZO LIETTI

Leading up to this year’s ride, I practiced on the La Costa trails, dialed my tire width, mustered some mental strength and better prepared myself for the big day ahead. When it finally came, I couldn’t stop smiling once we hit the dirt sections, smiling at riders and enjoying the freedom and fun each dirt section provided.

I’m grateful that the Challenged Athletes Foundation creates these opportunities for us, and that the BWR pushes our limits while also raising funds for athletes like myself. Just like everyone else in the BWR, I suffer, and my below knee amputation makes no difference. We’re just like everyone else out there, working

hard to push the boundaries on what’s possible—whether we’re physically disabled or not. There’s no time to hold back in life, or reason to be scared of challenges. Opportunities are everywhere, and it’s up to us to take them!

JUAN CARLOS HERNANDEZ When the Challenged Athletes Foundation asked me to participate in the 2015 BWR, I had no idea what I was in for. That year, I pushed my bike through the dirt and bonked so hard I swore I’d never come back. That all changed when CAF asked me back in 2016.

What I love about the BWR are the friends you see or make along the way. My day kicked off perfectly with waffles, eggs, bacon and coffee, a crazy first dirt section (which I survived) and visions of a lot of people walking their bikes. As the day unfolded, I was united with others who’d accepted the challenge of the BWR. Ramona brought me together with Dan—a great friend, top-notch mechanic, Military veteran, and the type of guy who always helps others before himself. Dan’s spirit kept me pushing forward, but unfortunately he suffered mechanical issues near Sutherland Dam and I never saw him again. Such is the testing nature of the BWR! After leaving Ramona, I ran into another familiar face and we made our way through hellish wind and tight roads toward Lake Hodges. This area is notorious for its quicksand like ponds capable of causing crashes left and right, and we came across one victim as we passed—a female rider walking her bike with a taco’d front wheel. I offered up mine, as I was pretty exhausted and my prosthetic began to irritate my skin due to the sweat and salt buildup within the liner and sleeve, but she declined.

Oh yeah, there’s that leg thing. I lost my right leg below the knee on October 13, 2009 in Afghanistan, when an enemy RPG shot down my helicopter during a nighttime operation.

Although we didn’t crash, my position as a door gunner caused me to be hit by the RPG on my right side, and the shrapnel from both the helicopter and RPG severely damaged my leg. Unable to save it, the medics had no option but to amputate below the knee, and just like that, after ten months of being deployed and numerous close calls, my name had finally been called. I was on my way back to the states with a part of me missing. I began cycling six months after my injury as part of my rehabilitation, fell in love with the sport, and the rest is history.

Towards the end of the ride, I was on my own. I was tired, my body hurt, my headache was getting worse and two voices in my head began to contest one another. One told me I couldn’t finish, while the other reminded me of everything I’ve endured and accomplished since losing my leg. In that moment, I knew I would finish. By the time I reached the infamous Double Peak climb, my headache had disappeared, and I settled into a steady pace toward the top—besting my time along the way. With the end in sight, I made the final descent with a huge smile on my face, hitting the last dirt section completely exhilarated in search of the finish line.

Always a physical and mental challenge, I look forward to doing this ride with the support of CAF for as long as it continues. No excuses!

2016 BWR | PAGE 9

PHOTO: ORNESS

®

ORNESS

PHOTO: JAKE ORNESS

ORNESS

PHOTO BY: LUKAS KEENAN CLOCKWISE: More upness on HVR • SCOTT LUNDY chases down PHIL TINSTMAN • BERRY and HORNBECK compare stems • Opening miles along DEL DIOS piles.

ORNESS

PHOTO: PHIL BECKMAN

THE BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE FILES ITS TEETH FOR NO ONE, DELIVERING SPECIAL TREATMENT IN THE FORM OF SICKLY STRUNG TOGETHER SECTORS OF DIRT AND PAVEMENT TO ALL. HEREIN LIES THE TALES OF THOSE WHO ATTACKED, SUFFERED OR MERELY SURVIVED THE 2016 BWR. — MMX sWITCHenberg.

The first dirt section. Everyone knows it’s coming. As the women’s wave turned onto San Dieguito Road, the men who rolled out behind us began to swarm around to the front. With the road starting to pitch, my only focus was getting up front as we approached the dirt. In order to control my fate as I headed through the first dirt corner—a sand and gravel climb—I burned a big match to get ahead, and never looked back. - Amanda Nauman

KEENAN

The first 30-kilometers were somewhat neutral, at 40 kilometers per hour, as the course found its way from the Lost Abbey in San Marcos through Rancho Santa Fe south to Fairbanks Ranch where the first off-road sector, sWITCHenberg, lay in wait. This beginning section has numerous ups and downs to warm up the legs, and perhaps soften some. The route to this first crucial dirt sector minimizes the use of busy roads, and the police escorts make the opening miles a breeze for most. Once in Fairbanks Ranch however, the real pedaling began as riders started to fight for position…

As designed, the sWITCHenberg stretched things out nicely on the way to the even more critical second and third offroad sectors—Saint Lucy and Saint Lusardi Omgekeerde— which confronted riders who hadn’t paid attention to the numerous communiqués warning of their peccadilloes.

VeloFix’s Paul Dunlap and staff were on hand through these sectors, on mountain bikes, bringing mobile aid to dozens of riders suffering from ailments both mechanical and imagined.

CLOCKWISE: AMANDA NAUMAN finishes off Lemontwistenberg with one last squeeze • THE ZWARTENBERG sector has its ups and downs.

Sanit Lucy.

Saint Lucy was the true start of the race, and the sector that set the tone for my day. I watched Phil Tinstman ride away from the lead group and thought ‘its too early. I’m too afraid of the distance and the difficulty,’ but instead of listening to myself, I went for it, bashing over the rocks and ruts of Saint Lucy in search of the leaders.

- Scott Lundy By the end of the initial single track on Saint Lucy, there was no sign of a peloton. In its stead were small groups of riders chasing smaller groups of riders followed by single riders looking for company. After this dynamic duo of dirt, riders hit the first (and winning) Aid Station, which was hosted by Swami’s Cycling Club and their lovely harem of genies.

2016 BWR | PAGE 11

Saint Lusardi Omgekeerde.

I escaped the first section of technical single track and found myself with the leaders, sitting right behind Berry.

I was prematurely congratulating myself on a top ten finish when I washed out the front wheel and hit the dirt hard at 30mph. My bars were twisted, and I’d torn most of the skin off my left leg, but nothing was broken.

I looked down at my crooked Garmin; 120 miles left. A finish line has never felt so far away. - Ryan Steers

bris. These seven kilometers brought all sorts of mayhem before a brief paved rest, where the second Aid Station was, before the four-kilometer Modest Mule trail that connected riders with the first major climb of the day at Highland Valley. Fortunately for many, Joe LaFico and his State Wheels crew were roaming through the dirt to service the many flat tires and mechanical issues that occurred along these two stretches.

Highland Arendberg, the first KOM, is an eight-kilometer plus climb with a clan of pitchy sisters, each one a little pitchier than the other—all forming steep upjutting walls with rollers or “not-so-false-flats” separating them. This stretch helped further disrupt whatever small groups had formed on the way out to the second KOS segment on the grind east to Ramona.

Back out on the road riders overwhelmed the Mavic neutral support vehicles looking for wheels, tires, tubes or all of the above. The rest of the riders took to the first KOS segment on the climb back up to Rancho Santa Fe before turning east on Del Dios and heading toward Lemontwistenberg, the fourth off-road sector and another very challenging part of the course that climbs up to Lake Hodges.

The atmosphere and camaraderie amongst the riders at the BWR is like nothing else. As an MTB racer, I’m inept at pacelines and taking pulls. Instead of laughing me off the front and letting me dangle in the wind, Berry, Lundy, and Tinstman taught me the ropes and kept us flowing smoothly together at the front. We were all in it together, and needed each other to survive. Or, maybe they just wanted to keep my 6’ 6” frame and slipstream around a little longer. - Ryan Steers

Lemontwistenberg.

After suffering a puncture in Lemontwistenberg last year, I embraced its challenge and had a blast navigating the rock gardens and steep singletrack. We were still accompanied by good riders at this point, but sections like this really show who has the off road skills, and who’s just trying to stay upright. - Scott Lundy By now, it surely dawned on many that maybe they had bitten off a bit more waffle than they could chew… with still 190 kilometers of grinding to go. The route climbed above Lake Hodges before dropping down to Meer Hodgesgate, a nasty dirt trail running the length of the lake eastbound over rocks, sand, water, and all sorts of wheel damaging de-

ORNESS

ORNESS

PAGE 12 | 2016 BWR

BECKMAN

BECKMAN

Soon after the sprint there was a left-hand turn at Main Street and a bit of a Ronde van Ramona over to the next third major Aid Station. Once riders fueled up here, they began the steady grind out toward the darkness of Black Canyon, where the longest, dirtiest and most thrilling part of the event began. The Zwartenberg climbs for five-kilometers

OPPOSITE: Devil's in the Dubbelberg • Woes overflow in yet another dirt section • MAVIC escorts through the opening neutrality • REMI MCMANUS conquering his 40/40 challenge at the BWR THIS PAGE: The WOMEN of the BWR have more than just a pretty pace. • Punctures aplenty in the never ending stretch of Hodgesmeergate rock gardens • JOSHUA BERRY, as deep and dark as it gets • VINCENT SCALES one of the 13 categorized climbs of the day

2016 BWR | PAGE 13

ORNESS

After the plunge alongside the San Pasqual Valley into the onshore flow, riders made a left-hand turn onto Bandy Canyon and got to feel the real joys of the headwind pushing with an insistence. Riders soon found a single track trail known as Sandy Bandy, which follows the contours of Bandy Canyon while taking slight twists and turns through deep sand and gravel before finally terminating at the bottom of the service road at Bandyweg. This is where Joshua Berry’s winning move was made.

The Bandyweg is nothing more than a kilometer long climb,

BECKMAN

BECKMAN

KEENAN

on washboard gravel and descends for three more. It was followed by Sutherland Damberg, which climbs for another 5-kilometers past the Focus Bicycles' German Folk band at the dam before topping out at the highest point of the course at 2,400 Feet, which also marked the second KOM finish. It was followed by a long 25-kilometer descent back down to Highway 78, another Aid Station and the westward drop toward Bandy Canyon.

but after Sandy Bandy and five plus hours in the saddle, its steepness messed with legs, arms, egos and average kilometers per hour alike. It wasn’t long before riders got to fight the Mighty Mule trail heading into the nasty headwind.

trying to maintain our momentum. I thought, “If this is the easy part, how do I have 40 more miles and several thousand feet of climbing left in these legs?”

- Ryan Steers

Modest Mule.

Smooth, fast, power. That was the mantra. I attacked on the descent before this section, I knew if I could get a big gap on this section, I might just break the spirit of the chasers. This might be my favorite part of the race because I felt so in control. - Joshua Berry

Riders couldn’t quite smell the waffles and beer, but they did begin to smell the salt air of the Pacific Ocean being carried by that pesky westerly wind. At the bottom of Del Dios, a nice little riser awaited and before taking everyone back to visit with Saint Lusardi in the other direction, onto the dirt and up the Artesian Bos, where hoofing it became the norm for many.

The Mighty Mule — like its Doppelganger, Modest Mule— taunted riders into putting out enough donkey wattage to keep their bikes upright. Four kilometers of dirt, sand, and ruts surely tested the resolve that Bandyweg called into question just minutes earlier.

Once back on the road, riders got to head back to the Swami’s Aid Station for one more handful of Clif bars and some GQ-6, before heading over to Lonely Jack and to the delightfully challenging gravel section of the Canyon de Oro, which happens to be where the infamous Oasis waited. Once their lavender spritzers and massages were completed, riders desperately tried to get out of this valley and clawed their way up the steep Elfinberg Bos (KOM 3 start) that eventually took them over to Elfin Forest and up to the final KOS segment of the day. The route took riders up the San Elayhoberg for the first time and over to face the day’s greatest pain inflictor—the Muur van Dubbelberg—or Double Peak, as some like to call it. The Muur is the final and steepest climb of them all, attaining a grade of 23% at one point near the top, which comes at roughly 224-kilometers, where the final KOM finishes.

After a very short paved respite and another Aid Station, that damn headwind exacerbated the difficulty of the Hodgesmeergate.

Riders may have forgotten this hellacious rocky section from their trip out, but now they got to climb it, navigate the seemingly growing rock garden, and do so into the worst headwind of the day. Simple decisions—like choosing the wrong line through the water crossing or over the teeth like rocks—spelled doom and destruction for the fatigued.

Fresher riders looked forward to 65 more kilometers and the hardest climb of the day.

Lonely Jack.

Our lead group was together until Lone Jack, but once we turned and hit the steep climb, I could barely turn the pedals over. With not even an hour left to go, my early efforts had caught up with me, and I started to consume everything I could just to make it to the finish line. - Phil Tinstman

KEENAN

BECKMAN

Del Dios.

I’d been banking all my previous efforts on a downhill pavement recovery but Tinstman, Lundy, and I found ourselves riding into a strong headwind trying to chase down Berry. We were sustaining around 450 watts on a descent and the heart rate was through the roof just

CLOCKWISE: The most coveted elixir of the year, The Lost Abbey's Bad Ass Ale (sorry, finisher's only) • The Swami's Genies granting wishes and Clif Bar dishes.

PAGE 12 14 | 2016 BWR

No matter how riders got to the top, once there they were treated to a trail around Double Peak Park and a 360-degree purview of North County, the likes of which they had never seen before. At this point it was probable riders would soon be lapping up the liquid luxury of a Lost Abbey BWR BAD ASS Ale and swearing to anyone that would listen, “That was the hardest BWR ever. In fact, it was the hardest thing I have ever done.”

Dubbelberg.

Once I hit Double Peak, it was all tunnel vision with glimpses of a man’s ass. The fans were so awesome and encouraging, but all I could do was focus on the climb. I knew if I slowed down, I’d be walking. - Joshua Berry After a brief respite here, riders took a moment to regain their composure at the Aid Station, tested their brakes and headed down, briefly, to a quick right onto the Twistenweg—a fun, tricky, twisty dirty trick, forcing riders to once again test their gravel grinding skills in a masochistic maze of trails that offer a view of the finish line but provide no direct line toward it. At nearly three-kilometers in switchback length, this was the zig-zaggiest and perhaps most sinister of all the sectors. Dubbelberg Twistenweg requires skills, sacrifice, singular focus and a sense of humor to navigate, as once again the opportunity to walk your bike became

a necessity if any of those things were missing from your repertoire at the 226-kilometer mark.

Dubbelberg Twistenweg.

This section is all at once painful and fun. Once I got here, I knew I was so close to the finish that I couldn’t afford to take any risks. This sector demands focus, and a slip in concentration could cost you precious time.

Funny enough, this was probably my slowest dirt section of the day, because all I wanted to do was get out unscathed and keep enough air in my tires to cross the finish. - Amanda Nauman Once the Twistenweg was completed it was just a formality of getting one’s self down the hill and over to the party going on at the Lost Abbey. In the elation of the finish line, riders were reunited with loved ones, embraced new friends, cheered on other riders, shared war stories, recanted their adventures and were treated to a feast that only the BWR’s good friends at the Gear Grinder Grill could provide. Nobody went hungry and if you were anything like the author, you enjoyed a dozen waffles, plates of moules and frites and a host of perfectly prepared dishes. And to cap it all off, there were free flowing kegs of Lost Abbey ale for sinners and saints alike.

2016 BWR | PAGE 15

Proud Apparel Partner of the 2016 Cervélo Belgian Waffle Ride

THE ART OF CUSTOM CYCLING A P PA R E L

StageOneSports.com CLASSIC CALIFORNIA DESIGN

PAGE 20 | 2016 BWR PAGE 20 | 2016 BWR

|

HAND MADE EUROPEAN CRAFTSMANSHIP

2016 BWR AWARDS AND WINNERS BWR Overall Winners Presented by Cervélo | Joshua Berry and Amanda Nauman

Belgian Waffle Ride Men’s Top 5 Finishers 1. Joshua Berry 2. Scott Lundy 3. Ryan Steers 4. Scottie Weiss 5. Paul Thomas

Belgian Waffle Ride Women’s Top 5 Finishers 1. Amanda Nauman 2. Rhonda Quick 3. Jill Cederholm 4. Mary Dannelley 5. Christi Patrick

Belgian Wafer Ride Men’s Top 5 Finishers 1. Randall Coxworth 2. Sten Kramer 3. Michael Marckx 4. Rick Bienias 5. Kevin Lentz

Belgian Wafer Ride Women’s Top 5 Finishers 1. Janel Holcomb 2. Linda Vigil 3. Christina Turner 4. Monica Taylor 5. Robin Kaminsky

CERVÉLO BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE CATEGORY WINNERS

The King/Queen of the Mountain Presented by StageOne Joshua Berry Amanda Nauman

The King/Queen of The Dirt Presented by Hutchinson Tires Joshua Berry Amanda Nauman

The King/Queen of the Sprints Presented by Clif Nick Perhala Amanda Nauman

The Hardman/Hardwoman Award Presented by The Lost Abbey Ryan Clark Athena Countouriotis

The kUDOs Award Presented by GQ-6 Casey Cohenmeyer

Custom Synthe lids provided by Giro.

2016 BWR | PAGE 21

2016 BWR OVERALL RESULTS BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE RESULTS 1 Joshua Berry 07.22.30.778 2 Scott Lundy 07.42.51.560 3 Ryan Steers 07.45.09.460 4 Scottie Weiss 07.46.56.457 5 Paul Thomas 07.46.57.708 6 Mike Easter 07.48.44.965 7 Philip Tinstman 07.54.27.919 8 Jon Hornbeck 07.59.10.310 9 Nick Perhala 08.00.44.710 10 John Behrens 08.00.48.188 11 Adam Mills 08.01.50.181 12 David Christenson 08.01.50.378 13 Anthony Little 08.02.02.243 14 Anthony Restuccia 08.03.34.664 15 Nate Freed 08.04.55.497 16 Jed Schneider 08.07.17.826 17 Sean Mcelroy 08.09.05.763 18 Logan Fiedler 08.11.39.478 19 Al McWilliams 08.12.07.795 20 David Rous 08.12.08.910 21 Dean Shreiner 08.14.48.468 22 David Zabriskie 08.15.00.014 23 Neil Shirley 08.15.00.095 24 Matt Freeman 08.15.40.872 25 Jeff Winkler 08.19.12.287 26 Karl Bordine 08.19.20.091 27 Henry Svendblad 08.22.44.124 28 James Cowan 08.23.11.297 29 David Bangor 08.24.22.895 30 Jeremy Gustin 08.24.27.700 31 Daniel Cobley 08.27.33.201 32 Kevin Rooney 08.28.24.063 33 Ryan Clark 08.28.42.913 34 Jake Pantone 08.30.10.166 35 Don Powell 08.30.23.108 36 Emilio Cervantes 08.32.10.654 37 Craig Turner 08.34.05.242 38 Chad Jarrett 08.34.05.436 39 Norman Carter 08.34.07.416 40 Superdave Koesel 08.35.50.292 41 Bryan Boyhan 08.36.19.199 42 Neil Rintoul 08.37.03.715 43 Clifford Clermont 08.37.09.377 44 Jarred Jordan 08.39.23.966 45 Alex Pristash 08.40.33.422 46 Amanda Nauman 08.40.40.307 47 Guy Sutton 08.42.16.783 48 Nate King 08.43.47.082 49 Christian De Groot 08.43.47.378 50 Ryan Dahl 08.43.48.020 51 Scott Evans 08.43.48.492 52 Juan Araya 08.43.49.813 53 Ryan Cady 08.43.49.832 54 Eric Bierman 08.43.50.090 55 Edgar Gilliam 08.44.44.963 56 Zach Thorp 08.45.06.098 57 Adam Pacal 08.45.28.658 58 Austin Morris 08.45.51.516 59 Steve Driscoll 08.47.22.531 60 Dan Findley 08.48.27.214 61 Ryan Arnold 08.48.27.995 62 Brendon Zinke 08.48.28.656 63 Mark Painting 08.48.43.667 64 Scott Whitthoff 08.50.33.533 65 Mitchell Sides 08.50.39.302 66 Jason Dickey 08.51.59.653 67 Adam Hensley 08.52.31.856 68 Maarten Desair 08.52.42.490 69 Rhonda Quick 08.53.25.770 70 Bill Baker 08.53.55.866 71 John Tzinberg 08.54.34.345 72 Ted Willard 08.55.07.117 73 Troy Templin 08.55.31.732 74 Michael Wright 08.55.43.917 75 Ernesto Ure 08.55.47.582 76 Shawn Vangassen 09.00.22.480 77 Corky Ewing 09.00.54.979 78 Robert Frank 09.03.48.024 79 Jill Cederholm 09.03.58.131 80 Attila Reisz 09.04.15.404 81 Charlie Gilmore 09.05.20.882 82 Patrick Willart 09.05.38.602 83 John Walsh 09.06.11.845 84 Fred Mackey 09.06.38.401 85 Jonathan Sebat 09.08.59.829 86 Andrew Mcclure 09.09.11.603 87 Marco Amselem 09.09.21.478 88 Josh Wolff 09.09.41.112 89 Metal Danly 09.10.11.103 90 Mike Lucas 09.11.39.120 91 Severiano Mendes 09.12.03.131 92 David Marietti 09.12.32.950 93 Chad Mckonly 09.12.33.773 94 Derek Eysenbach 09.13.09.750 95 Jay Harger 09.13.09.773 96 Thomas Plotts 09.13.19.751 97 Kevin Festini 09.13.38.648 98 Stefan Peroutka 09.15.25.568 99 John Saliamonas 09.15.49.887 100 Jonny Hintze 09.15.51.340 101 Cody Kaiser 09.15.55.677 102 Mark Featherman 09.15.56.381 103 Chad Haynes 09.15.58.783 104 Anthony Lee 09.17.23.353 105 Michael Matz 09.17.24.454 106 Scot Harvey 09.17.25.856 107 Jaime Carrillo 09.17.26.530 108 David Nocera 09.17.47.366 109 Joshua Dipert 09.17.52.598 110 Jussi Oksanen 09.17.53.167

111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221

David Carriere 09.19.01.838 David Haase 09.19.33.253 Chris Holmes 09.20.16.891 Robert Itoh 09.20.17.129 Frank Schroeder 09.20.18.452 Robert Charton 09.21.45.872 Matias Mendigochea 09.22.32.363 Bill Harris 09.22.39.539 Kurt Hartfelder 09.23.02.797 John Seeley 09.23.03.743 Moise Pham 09.23.06.227 Ben Arena 09.24.21.229 Chris Olson 09.25.06.354 Marc Spivey 09.26.06.305 Scott Rider 09.27.26.921 Craig Spencer 09.27.38.373 Nicolas Padilla 09.27.58.023 Daniel Corral 09.28.06.719 James Robbins 09.28.17.456 Tom Schofield 09.29.08.898 Drew Friestedt 09.31.22.433 John Camerino 09.31.55.030 Glen Wells 09.31.55.519 Danny Davisson 09.31.55.629 Josh Kolbo 09.32.13.163 Mary Dannelley 09.33.17.895 Edward Price 09.33.38.078 Matt Breyer 09.34.47.847 Julian Levy 09.35.20.296 Mani Motamed 09.36.36.909 Dean Pogni 09.37.04.492 Craig Northway 09.37.05.413 J Cobb 09.37.06.224 Alex Tasch 09.37.12.226 Anthony Murray 09.37.32.701 C.J. Covarrubias 09.37.40.666 Jeff Gemar 09.38.07.120 Perkins Miller 09.39.57.719 Greg Parker 09.40.09.417 Bret Parkr 09.40.14.744 Geoff Baynes 09.40.25.819 Matt Mangum 09.40.26.187 Robert Demaio 09.40.55.116 Nick Diedrich 09.40.58.928 Richard Ramsey 09.41.10.742 Michael Nichol 09.41.48.671 Christi Patrick 09.41.58.268 David Turner 09.42.11.758 CyZuidema 09.43.26.456 Serge Dube 09.44.19.946 BradSamis 09.44.29.310 Todd Morton 09.44.44.539 Benjamin Hayes 09.46.11.882 Tim Marshall 09.46.46.181 Sky Hansen 09.47.30.825 Michael White 09.47.32.041 Richard Picarelli 09.47.36.582 Matthew Burinda 09.47.51.033 Rob Dollar 09.48.37.935 Robb Dorf 09.48.38.671 Brian Stringfellow 09.48.39.205 Rotem Cooper 09.49.16.028 Richard Verney 09.49.17.216 Kevin Kraus 09.49.33.707 Sonja Johnson 09.50.23.165 Roger Ortiz 09.50.35.701 Lawrence Novitch 09.50.40.570 Patrik Gunnarsson 09.51.08.736 Joshua Dorfman 09.51.24.224 Matt Miller 09.51.25.673 Michael Steward 09.51.28.012 Martina Lefterova 09.51.46.050 Marco Fantone 09.51.54.288 Jacob Hanna 09.51.56.002 Paul Bour 09.51.57.336 Ryan Pawliw 09.51.57.446 Casper Casparian 09.52.34.119 Rob Becker 09.52.34.932 Robert Bernhard 09.53.37.997 Daniel Eitman 09.54.10.661 Chris Anderson 09.54.30.859 Amanda Knutson 09.54.34.612 Andrew Coetzee 09.55.12.292 Carlos Glines 09.57.01.019 Craig Miller 10.00.14.268 Freddie Arellano 10.00.14.447 William Turek 10.01.09.386 Jason Benford 10.02.02.149 Cedric Henley 10.04.17.487 Willie Stewart 10.04.19.214 Athena Countouriotis 10.04.28.287 Russ Kuryk 10.05.20.166 Hilary Perchard 10.05.20.447 Vincent Magret 10.05.38.053 Eric White 10.06.31.646 Brook Henderson 10.06.58.735 David Crabb 10.07.00.630 Juan Hernandez 10.07.04.234 Garret Schmidt 10.07.46.427 Douglas Samp 10.07.50.221 Christopher Brown 10.08.02.233 Steven Weixel 10.08.02.630 Wilhelmina Zuckerman 10.08.05.752 Travis Schlapfer 10.08.40.575 Jake Steen 10.08.51.880 Timothy Heinrich 10.08.56.411 Dennis White 10.08.58.963 Eric Rehberg 10.08.59.280 Ryan Rowell 10.10.23.373 Bill Carlson 10.11.16.648 Alex Armstrong 10.11.17.339

222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332

Clayton Miller 10.11.47.794 David Hull 10.11.48.223 Bailey Eckles 10.13.24.089 Christopher Reed 10.14.39.432 Nils Macheel 10.14.42.585 Aaron Smith 10.15.16.743 Aaron Robinson 10.15.36.377 Shane Hamman 10.15.58.437 Christopher Pratt 10.16.08.253 Sol Cantwell 10.16.09.064 Jelger Kalmijn 10.16.10.646 Casey Maguire 10.17.18.346 Rick Minnick 10.17.23.326 Rawley Macias 10.18.00.138 Matthew Hall 10.18.18.427 Norm Brian Martin Laird 10.18.19.286 Lou Guttilla 10.21.03.535 Terrence Curley 10.21.03.551 Barrett Brauer 10.21.12.906 Robert Ellis 10.21.13.361 Mark Maxson 10.21.24.019 Mike Tomin 10.21.25.087 Charles St Jeor 10.21.42.662 Tim Clark 10.21.42.971 Scott Holland 10.22.01.171 Andrew Brightman 10.22.01.424 Scott Manning 10.22.04.774 Thomas Anhalt 10.22.15.111 Ben Raymond 10.23.40.417 Alec Hull 10.24.18.642 Peter Von Clemm 10.24.32.845 Michael Salipante 10.25.08.097 Mathieu Brousseau 10.26.22.678 Paul Kellen 10.26.31.702 Denis Faye 10.26.33.328 Kevin Nix 10.26.34.640 Alain Mazer 10.26.35.777 David Ernst 10.26.46.140 Andres Gomez 10.28.05.661 Troy Collins 10.28.25.949 GaryFrei 10.28.36.115 Rick Rosales 10.28.50.788 Kevin Kraus 10.29.00.892 Robert Gelfand 10.29.10.201 Shalom Goffri 10.29.35.060 Eric Bernd 10.29.45.441 Ethan Millstein 10.31.20.871 AjSura 10.31.22.214 Vincent Scales 10.31.22.357 Jeana Miller 10.31.22.692 Daniel Wanjoh 10.31.56.081 Charlie Karstrom 10.32.04.431 Dan Lehnberg 10.32.51.415 Duc Au 10.33.06.207 Steven Carcano 10.33.56.572 Jonathan Schmidt 10.33.58.587 Jim Armstrong 10.35.06.672 Jason Sherman 10.35.43.508 Bryan Halverson 10.35.43.686 David Burks 10.35.43.811 Bruce Matthes 10.35.44.801 Jeffrey Muir 10.36.04.048 Ted Posch 10.36.06.534 Moises Molina 10.36.16.023 Jeffrey Kazan 10.38.32.439 Dean Welsh 10.40.08.784 Don Ankeny 10.40.25.282 Wayne Brander 10.40.25.284 Greg Vega 10.41.26.449 Daniel Horndasch 10.42.06.462 Carl Tsang 10.42.54.666 Kit Knox 10.43.22.234 William Pinnell 10.43.31.389 Robynn Masters 10.43.59.149 Eric Shadle 10.46.25.284 Jeff Fulford 10.46.25.418 Van Geslani 10.46.25.688 Crystal Howard 10.46.40.315 Toyoto Ono 10.47.56.042 Kevin Kunkel 10.47.58.431 Nigel Rodgers 10.48.00.676 Armando De Armas 10.49.53.966 Peter Huot 10.50.07.286 Brian Channell 10.50.17.850 George Vargas 10.50.20.594 Chad Brinderson 10.51.17.859 AlTovar 10.51.18.574 Dennis Michalis 10.54.29.341 Pablo Maida 10.55.35.681 Clint Allen 10.55.35.814 Eddie Monnier 10.55.37.865 Jon Dean 10.55.40.940 Frank Gerber 10.56.36.572 Michael Macgregor 10.56.38.832 Ramiro Alvarez 10.57.12.366 Lenny Andersen 10.57.12.913 Bruce Mogel 10.57.13.217 Daniel Mc Auley 10.57.47.863 Ryan Fischvogt 10.59.00.666 GaryColeman 10.59.00.840 Eric Dieterman 10.59.04.933 Michael Schade 11.00.56.707 Fernando Marquez 11.01.23.220 Mark Duncan 11.01.32.727 John Rana 11.01.35.258 Ronnie Takens 11.01.37.246 Koen Raedschelders 11.01.38.058 Jake Mclaughlin 11.01.59.468 Erin Morley 11.02.08.999 Hartono Tanuwidjaja 11.02.09.345 Stuart Nelsen 11.02.45.806

333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443

Miki Vuckovich Julio Primo Craig Shimomura Antoine Ballon Bob Palacios Jason Sunukjian Daniel Liberator Thomas Szegvary Matt Miesnieks rooke Sutcliffe Kurt Broadhag Paul Kundrat Brett Goett Kathryn Araujo Joe Palermo Echo Rowe Dave Callender Craig Leeuwenburgh Robert Spalding Andrey Myatlyuk Greg Harkins Matthew Trost James Matsubayashi Steven Camacho Irene Vandenbroek Bud Owens Shawn Zabo BradHuys James Hahn Joseph Huy Raul Del Rio Pierre Stroot Mary Maroon Heather Hawke Meaghen Harris Donald King James Bravo Eric Nelson Scott Pinkerton Lee Ziff Scott Thompson Bruce Watson Curt Jardine Christopher Lonergan Kurt Molter Daniel Whitehill Matthew Weber Dale Agar Courtney Wiseman Martin Rushworth Matt Langley Ilya Top John Wiberg Karl Eberhardt Guy Dutton James Sanders Bill Duvel Michael Hodges Corey Hollister Billy Purdy Donn Vickry Greg Hertz Kam Patel Eric Sarbacker Mitch Shatto Wil Matthews Nigel Stewart Doug Johnstone Erin Machan Eric Ketelhut Michael Kerrigan Phillip Leslie Eric Reid Rob Lykins Casey Cohenmeyer Tina Feoli John Williams John Blakely Nathan Grill Steve Biggs Rhonda Ribar Jan Hofmeyr Ivan Mclean Stephen Rhodes Romwell Echual J Juelis Carlos Chavez Andres Giron Graeme Stanners Buddy Carr Sean Breckling Michael King Victor Sternberg Jr Hugh Chung David Kim Raffaele Spennato Jeffrey Sigua Laurie Grube Allen Louie Erick Hernandez Jason Mark Tammy Lamb Shannon Gaffney Sheldon Fuller Nora Hipolito Kimberly Tom Steve Colford Sean Finley Quinn Cody Mitchell Ikemoto Rich Hirschinger

11.02.56.377 11.03.16.828 11.04.21.361 11.04.22.812 11.04.43.767 11.05.26.498 11.05.39.218 11.06.03.646 11.06.03.739 11.06.17.748 11.06.20.311 11.06.36.807 11.06.43.533 11.07.36.347 11.07.39.613 11.07.44.764 11.08.02.327 11.09.02.633 11.09.03.270 11.09.34.346 11.09.38.273 11.10.00.219 11.10.16.772 11.11.00.014 11.11.35.450 11.11.40.703 11.12.02.573 11.12.43.692 11.12.44.239 11.12.45.878 11.12.45.981 11.13.00.146 11.16.09.983 11.17.36.642 11.19.57.214 11.20.58.588 11.21.10.878 11.21.23.277 11.21.39.308 11.21.39.715 11.22.04.282 11.22.04.469 11.22.06.374 11.22.43.287 11.24.17.916 11.24.49.716 11.26.24.637 11.26.35.431 11.26.37.975 11.27.25.458 11.27.25.675 11.27.28.256 11.27.31.429 11.27.40.231 11.28.24.774 11.28.26.280 11.28.40.544 11.29.08.118 11.29.28.965 11.29.30.198 11.29.32.318 11.29.44.786 11.31.18.707 11.31.26.196 11.31.31.937 11.31.39.476 11.31.59.951 11.32.00.063 11.32.00.185 11.33.25.369 11.34.26.450 11.34.30.702 11.34.30.715 11.35.06.796 11.35.55.523 11.36.01.731 11.36.12.430 11.36.13.489 11.37.01.030 11.37.51.170 11.38.23.556 11.38.50.703 11.38.50.979 11.39.28.255 11.40.25.659 11.40.36.925 11.40.55.876 11.41.41.430 11.42.31.585 11.42.32.367 11.43.36.153 11.44.07.297 11.46.43.229 11.46.49.555 11.46.51.106 11.47.01.734 11.47.23.580 11.48.57.337 11.50.25.808 11.50.26.891 11.50.29.111 11.51.35.337 11.51.36.093 11.51.37.418 11.51.57.000 11.51.57.734 11.52.43.070 11.53.54.714 11.53.56.432 11.53.58.337 11.53.59.855

444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465

Jason Wright Jason Kummer Jeffrey Gust Kim Koch Joseph Mandichak Steven Mitchell James Tucker David Puente Jr Marc Chilcote Casey Swanson Kyle Pulley Kristin Mayer Eric Mollinedo Kris Wells Amanda Puente Cameron Gordon Mark Clement Douglas Hanson Eric Gerster David Bedell Tom Kattus William Pinnell

11.54.07.092 11.55.09.805 11.55.10.152 11.57.14.565 11.57.56.132 12.00.46.541 12.01.29.773 12.01.33.598 12.01.36.480 12.02.14.185 12.03.36.204 12.04.05.351 12.05.37.254 12.08.46.347 12.11.30.916 12.15.37.483 12.22.14.483 12.22.14.483 12.26.26.483 12.26.26.483 12.41.29.483 17.09.55.389

BWR WOMEN 1 Amanda Nauman 2 Rhonda Quick 3 Jill Cederholm 4 Mary Dannelley 5 Christi Patrick 6 Sonja Johnson 7 Martina Lefterova 8 Amanda Knutson 9 Athena Countouriotis 10 Wilhelmina Zuckerman 11 AJSura 12 Jeana Miller 13 Robynn Masters 14 Crystal Howard 15 Brooke Sutcliffe 16 Kathryn Araujo 17 Echo Rowe 18 Irene Vandenbroek 19 Mary Maroon 20 Heather Hawke 21 Meaghen Harris 22 Courtney Wiseman 23 Erin Machan 24 Casey Cohenmeyer 25 Tina Feoli 26 Rhonda Ribar 27 Laurie Grube 28 Tammy Lamb 29 Shannon Gaffney 30 Nora Hipolito 31 Kimberly Tom 32 Kim Koch 33 Kristin Mayer 34 Amanda Puente

08.40.40.307 08.53.25.770 09.03.58.131 09.33.17.895 09.41.58.268 09.50.23.165 09.51.46.050 09.54.34.612 10.04.28.287 10.08.05.752 10.31.22.214 10.31.22.692 10.43.59.149 10.46.40.315 11.06.17.748 11.07.36.347 11.07.44.764 11.11.35.450 11.16.09.983 11.17.36.642 11.19.57.214 11.26.37.975 11.32.00.185 11.35.55.523 11.36.01.731 11.38.23.556 11.48.57.337 11.51.35.337 11.51.36.093 11.51.57.000 11.51.57.734 11.57.14.565 12.04.05.351 12.11.30.916

WAFER 1 Randall Coxworth 2 Sten Kramer 3 Michael Marckx 4 Rick Bienias 5 Kevin Lentz 6 Ryan Wayne 7 Eric Schafer 8 Devin Riley 9 Chris Oconnell 10 David Mc Neal 11 Espinoza Zapata 12 Ryan Johnson 13 Travis Clater 14 Chris Nelson 15 Casey Bryant 16 Ben Thinnes 17 Richard Meyers 18 Niels Vande casteele 19 Tom De Bruyn 20 Andrew Mccright 21 Maxim Van Woerden 22 EdKulbis 23 Konor Sacks 24 Anthony Reeves 25 Rocha Bryan 26 Dave Mas 27 Clark Russ 28 Sage Aronson 29 Greg Zimmer 30 Janel Holcomb 31 Mitch Goldman 32 Christopher Pritchard 33 Linda Vigil 34 Keith Weier 35 Mike Shaw 36 Sean Heck 37 Seth Graham 38 Jack Ban 39 Sasha Dietschi 40 Mitch Turner 41 Reinaldo Anzola 42 Kevin Frank 43 BradDrennan 44 Lance Polloreno 45 Joel Rivera 46 Jason Donaldson 47 Rock Sanchez 48 Christina Turner 49 William Jones 50 David Molinero 51 Brennan Cassidy

03.30.14.723 03.31.11.101 03.33.56.023 03.39.03.120 03.44.15.000 03.44.40.397 03.51.10.825 03.51.24.045 03.59.35.348 04.01.43.919 04.01.44.736 04.04.11.836 04.04.36.913 04.07.12.626 04.07.15.631 04.07.17.221 04.07.18.184 04.08.08.064 04.08.08.784 04.08.52.018 04.09.37.312 04.10.08.256 04.10.12.880 04.10.24.696 04.10.33.076 04.11.55.974 04.13.12.723 04.17.37.657 04.18.00.878 04.20.01.176 04.20.02.361 04.24.55.446 04.25.06.622 04.26.48.422 04.29.41.058 04.29.42.842 04.29.43.775 04.29.46.608 04.29.46.699 04.29.46.722 04.30.36.745 04.32.58.143 04.34.23.353 04.34.23.804 04.35.16.763 04.35.21.748 04.35.23.639 04.35.29.035 04.35.35.959 04.37.18.800 04.38.26.702

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162

Matthew Assell 04.39.26.683 Paul Jackman 04.39.29.323 Monica Taylor 04.39.46.914 Gregory Turk 04.39.47.351 Gordon Henning 04.40.03.931 Robin Kaminsky 04.42.50.195 Jene Shaw 04.44.11.237 Tim Vaughan 04.46.54.248 Matthew Scanlon 04.48.24.810 Damon Smith 04.50.27.015 Mathew Boudreau 04.50.29.552 Andre Szucs 04.52.05.404 Alissa Kloner 04.52.15.460 Michael Tompkins 04.52.17.053 Steve Sampiere 04.52.17.715 Kevin Weinstein 04.52.18.160 Jack Gentle 04.52.22.456 Sean Fenner 04.52.47.084 Robert Marquart 04.52.59.174 Brian Leib 04.55.58.000 Tim Vangilder 04.56.05.067 Ryan Goldman 04.56.11.453 Susan Sutton 04.56.11.631 Kermit Mcgovern 04.56.24.957 David Ries 04.56.51.482 Robert Schott 04.56.52.795 Marshall Opel 04.57.16.529 Aaron Grace 04.57.28.783 Christian Chambers 04.58.06.509 Tu Tran 04.58.44.876 Abel Romero 04.59.04.741 Dean Sprague 04.59.22.238 Trevor Deruise 04.59.58.042 Gabriel Ortega Cerquera 05.02.10.842 Steve Morris 05.02.11.195 BradLenahan 05.02.12.202 Timothy Meise 05.02.12.974 Travis Dray 05.03.52.485 Ryan Stinson 05.03.53.347 Joe Sousa 05.03.53.370 Bill Webb 05.03.54.943 Jeff Jacobson 05.06.23.664 Michelle Vangilder 05.06.24.701 Jeffrey Lewis 05.06.25.072 Chris Staszak 05.06.25.269 Robert Kraft 05.06.25.904 Michael Pallisco 05.06.26.690 Todd Smithson 05.06.50.823 Rod Killian 05.06.55.989 Dustin Stevens 05.06.56.001 Pete Spiegel 05.09.10.577 Angela Rozsa 05.09.11.085 Lamar Rozsa 05.09.11.208 Francis Devlin 05.09.17.104 Ted Hatch 05.09.18.087 Ed Morales 05.09.23.723 Richard Quitain 05.09.41.694 Thomas Horton 05.09.45.265 Jan Zablan 05.09.45.274 Mark Vigil 05.09.47.668 Jim Solic 05.09.49.643 Scott Houtchens 05.09.49.905 Juan Silva 05.10.01.616 Chris Ornee 05.10.04.592 Byron Beck 05.12.53.934 Matt Wright 05.13.18.627 Stephen Veytia 05.13.20.428 Ronald Berry 05.14.03.630 Tom Hartwell 05.14.04.382 Manvin Chawla 05.16.55.880 Frank Kovacs 05.16.59.440 Kris Hull 05.17.03.387 Manuel Gil 05.23.56.691 Mark Mulka 05.24.06.494 GarySiuzdak 05.24.29.923 Gilberto Rodriguez 05.24.47.013 Jason Peters 05.26.21.686 David Ogletree 05.26.22.776 Patrik Outericky 05.27.27.543 Jim Riley 05.27.38.378 Ariel Oasay 05.27.39.047 Marcel Hoksbergen 05.27.49.689 Gus Bayle 05.27.50.675 Chris Homel 05.28.00.157 Steve Atkinson 05.28.06.204 Ruben Murillo 05.30.19.596 David Archambault 05.31.55.472 Megan Tompkins 05.31.56.401 Robert Kellogg 05.32.57.488 Torrey Radcliffe 05.32.58.943 Richard Danesi 05.33.01.916 Mark Poppendiek 05.33.32.662 Aaron Denaro 05.34.30.650 Heather Catchpole 05.34.33.252 James Alberto 05.34.35.333 Ben Murray 05.34.35.942 Robert Judge 05.34.37.661 Anthony Dizon 05.37.08.657 Wei Sun 05.37.09.958 Matthew Falkner 05.37.10.642 Stan Bergum 05.39.50.684 Craig Runnalls 05.39.53.423 Eduardo Martinez 05.41.16.588 Jesus Mercado 05.41.18.635 Javier Cruz 05.41.21.155 Loway Albassam 05.41.22.203 Jill Fox 05.43.06.116 Dawn Irick 05.43.09.317 Donald Wolfe 05.43.11.233 Lamont Loy 05.43.18.699 Christopher Fillo 05.45.58.295

163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 24 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263

James Bianco 05.46.01.621 Randy Dungo 05.46.03.176 Manuel Muniz 05.46.18.403 Tony Kowalczyk 05.48.22.382 Frank Sison 05.49.49.268 Scott Sing 05.52.26.507 Michael Brown 05.52.26.978 Cedric Monier 05.52.27.560 Kyle Campbell 05.54.42.409 David Watring 05.55.19.592 Jay Yoshizumi 05.55.34.306 William Huelsman 05.55.50.754 Matthew Munoz 05.56.15.992 Thomas Mccarthy 05.56.25.629 Colette Mcfadden 05.56.46.438 Raymond King 06.00.13.823 Daniel Coronado 06.00.16.515 Mark Hayes 06.01.01.411 Danny Kaiahua 06.01.01.412 Adam Randzin 06.01.01.546 Tony Lederman 06.01.01.601 Jason Barton 06.01.01.849 Michael Demania 06.01.01.926 Sumi Gross 06.03.04.252 Edward Pardi ii 06.03.19.720 Brian Findley 06.03.19.996 Todd White 06.03.20.303 Steve Ohara 06.03.21.710 Michael Henke 06.03.27.345 Jackie Golison 06.04.11.153 Glen Innes 06.04.13.819 Hans Schafer 06.04.35.597 Robert Williams 06.07.07.554 Pete Mcafee 06.10.22.947 Alexander Colbert 06.10.24.392 Craig Hobart 06.10.24.394 Djohara Halimaoui 06.11.11.539 Dan Scheibe 06.11.13.856 David Malwitz 06.12.30.385 Noel Tabor 06.12.54.126 Duane Barraugh 06.13.27.266 Vincent Villano 06.13.27.871 GaryPoles 06.13.28.661 Doris Asombrado 06.13.29.197 Rosio Castanon 06.13.29.210 Jeffrey Lind 06.13.29.589 Brandon Nelson 06.13.30.054 Derek Emerson 06.13.31.552 Patrick Sullivan 06.16.50.793 Joel Mullen 06.16.50.982 Marc Urbanski 06.16.51.839 Steven Stevenson 06.16.51.941 Maxime Noble 06.16.51.964 Jason Kirsch 06.16.52.729 David Jurist 06.17.29.305 Gregory Hagen 06.17.37.764 Danica Hand 06.17.38.501 Hal Cunningham 06.21.01.074 Cameron Stone 06.21.29.541 Michael Stefanick 06.21.43.836 Todd Jacobs 06.24.51.090 David Dalstrom 06.25.08.488 Meghann Nelles 06.25.08.494 Jorge Marquez 06.25.16.084 Andrea Meyer 06.28.51.215 Julie Stokes 06.28.51.421 Vincent Alvarado 06.28.56.902 Michael Daney 06.31.09.272 Danielle Lyons 06.37.45.376 Ryan Turrentine 06.37.47.219 Dwayne Ziegler 06.37.54.180 Richard Khachadoorian 06.37.54.745 Joann Zwagerman 06.37.58.629 Rick Lombardi 06.40.56.291 Brian Cosgrove 06.40.59.168 Thuy Kawano 06.41.53.369 Natasha Fischer 06.41.56.173 Robert Bayer 06.44.21.379 Cris Searle 06.45.59.966 Grace Reynolds 06.50.14.033 Robert Mccurry 07.02.38.656 Bianca Pettinicchi 07.04.30.462 Matthew Kogan 07.09.33.917 Stormin Houck 07.11.39.705 Steve Robbins 07.21.12.811 Marc Geraldez 07.23.51.947 Paul Schmidt 07.26.12.467 Barbara Evans 07.27.55.749 Larissa Bodniowycz 07.29.25.430 Mark Alunni 07.29.25.929 Andrew Ralston 07.29.25.971 Sarah Theroff 07.29.27.847 David Schwartz 07.44.01.549 Andre Marais 07.44.34.263 Mary Spilker 07.45.06.681 Mike Hatalski 07.46.32.645 Ralph Fiedler 07.51.06.624 Jim Ruiz 07.51.11.264 Lisa Dordick 08.07.21.642 Kathy Loewenstern 10.08.53.671 Marianne Zappella 11.05.54.044

2016 BWR | PAGE 23

YOU'RE ALWAYS ALONE, ANYWAY. Words: Joshua Berry Photo: Jake Orness

Likely, the time spent alone in preparation builds as you inch toward an event, where in some way or another, you’re destined for solitude once again. Spending four weeks on my own on top of a mountain–or in a strange high town—I envisioned many moments of breaking free from a group. I envisioned the suffering. I found trust in it, and earned confidence through the mental strain of the fight I knew was coming. After the Jeep ran me over, I forcefully flooded my thoughts with positivity, and envisioned a beneficial collision of training, time spent up high, and the chores of my efforts paying out in opportunities ahead. I had plans of attacking on the Gila Monster Stage of the Tour of Gila, but they were disrupt-

PAGE 24 | 2016 BWR

ed. My ideas for attacking during the Tour of California had been halted. In training, I had isolated myself to earn that time alone this season. Those seconds alone are brief in big races, and it’s what I fight for. But this year, I lost that fight. I did not make that team, and the Jeep that crushed me had also crushed my hopes to fulfill a dream so graciously given to me by my team. Broken, I was handed a new place to escape when I found myself headed to the BWR. As I waited for other dreams to materialize, I seized an opportunity to be alone, once again.

Midway through my ride, I accelerated. The high point of the sun and my physical effort were one, and each minute flowed together under perfect vivid light. These

moments are rich as you experience them, recounted only as a type of synchronicity beyond description.

Alone, I chased the fading horizon.

I can still vividly feel the intense focus of initiating the attack down the descent, and hear the squealing of my brakes before hitting the dirt. Fueled by the crisp breeze in my lungs, I threw my bike right and onto the dirt, watching every grain of sand and each shuffle of the leaves as I fully committed to the attack. It was all so clear, but as I became further away from the chasers, like the sun, my perspective began to change. The colors were softening, the end was near, and the moves were more subdued as I could no longer see or feel it all un-

folding. I knew the sun was setting, and I knew I would get there before it had all gone dark. With all of these moments as my own, I broke free of the stress of the group and entered a familiar cage match of me versus my own mind. I know that battle, I knew that battle, and indefinitely, I would fight till the finish. On my way, I’d found a good omen in a hawk that crossed my path up the road, and reciprocating its faith in me, I spread my own wings as I came across the line. My time unaccompanied was something special, the balance was found, and I was free to float alone. The experience was all mine.

2016 BWR | PAGE 25

BWR 2016 | RIDER'S POINT OF VIEW They came. They Suffered. They conquered.

BECKMAN

the equality in a separate women’s wave and podium for the women, as it played a big role in my drive to win. I’m grateful for the exceptional event staff, dirt, descents, sand, bottle handups, food, beer, cheers, and equipment. Thanks to everyone out there who made it a day to remember. I’m looking forward to the suffering ahead in the years to come.

Amanda Nauman

PAGE 26 | 2016 BWR

DAVE ZABRISKIE 7X US National Time Trial Champion The BWR was extra fun this year because of all of the technical sections and dirt MMX had delivered to the course from his special ops helicopters. I’m not sure how they scouted the locations for the sand, but it was perfect for causing slipping, crashing and excitement all day, even for the better riders. It was great to finally solidify my friendship with Neil Shirley also as a result of our 8-hour bondage session on course. Neil and I were pleasantly surprised with our results, achieved by going at a comfortable pace with a few great guys who weren’t afraid to take a pull and entertain us with their stories. I’m talking about you, Al! We traveled through the beautiful course picking riders off along the way, and somehow rolled over the line in the 20s.

After doing the Wafer last year, finishing the full Waffle was just as satisfying as the first beer I had once I got off the bike. It was truly that lovely, and I’ll be back to indulge in 2017.

KEENAN

The evolution of the Belgian Waffle Ride has coincidentally been a reflection of my relationship to the bike.

During the inaugural event in 2012, I was finishing my Masters degree in New Jersey and my love for racing bikes was just beginning. I had no idea cyclocross existed, and I’d only heard about the BWR’s grandeur from a few soon-to-be teammates.

In 2013, I was presented with the idea of completing 130 miles on and off-road and reluctantly accepted the challenge. I prepared as best I could and suffered through my longest ride to date. Finishing first was nowhere on my radar.

I simply wanted to finish.

In 2014, I had an elite cyclocross season under my belt and was preparing for my first pro category season in cross-country mountain biking. Unfortunately, an untimely crash and a trip to the hospital at Sea Otter took me out of contention. I spent the rest of 2014 finding a better place mentally—and physically—when it came to racing my bike.

In 2015, I was looking for motivation after a poor performance at USAC Cyclocross Nationals in Austin, Texas, so I put BWR on my calendar to encourage long miles in the saddle. Finishing second was a pleasant surprise, and it ultimately gave me the motivation I needed to sign up for Dirty Kanza, enjoy training through summer, and achieve my most successful cyclocross season to date.

This year, I wanted to win. BWR has shaped a lot of my motivation and goals throughout the past few years, and I knew Rhonda Quick was a force to be reckoned with. Quality training was important, so I balanced volume and miles on the road with high-intensity efforts during a handful of cross-country mountain bike races. The course was perfectly challenging and the dirt sections suited my background, but I’m grateful that all the pieces finally came together in my favor.

The Belgian Waffle Ride is a true test of fitness for everyone who signs up. It might be a ride, but for those who want to push themselves even further, it is also a race. Some large cycling events fail to emphasize the women’s category, but the BWR has always been an exception to this. I appreciate

KEENAN

2016 BWR Women’s Winner, DK200 Champ, CX Queen

Jon Hornbeck Professional Cyclist for Holowesko Citadel p/b Hincapie I was pretty stoked to be a part of the BWR this year. I really enjoy coming out to events like this not only for the laid back

INTRODUCING

GY ENER

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atmosphere, but for the excitement and challenge of something different. I’m a big fan of good events, so having an epic one that’s close to home and put on by my friends makes it all the better. Hopefully luck will be on my side next year and I can take home the W.

PHOTO: TODD GUNTHER

Former Elite National Champion

Kristin Mayer Lead Betty at Betty Designs. Athlete. Mom. Badass.

PHOTO: RICHARD LEE

My obsession with finishing the full Belgian Waffle Ride came after finishing the Wafer in 2015. That, and the fact that people told me there was no way I could finish the full Waffle-distance.

As a competitive triathlete for…well, forever, cycling had always been my least favorite discipline. Maybe that was because I felt like I was a terrible cyclist, or that so many people told me I couldn’t ride, but training for BWR showed me what it really felt like to ride a bike. I’m not talking about pedaling, or getting from one place to another, but really pushing it—crushing it by my standards—and going for it. Chasing down the full waffle finish also allowed me to show my son Gavyn that when you put your mind to something and work for it, it’s achievable.

During my 12-hour adventure, there was only one minor 20-minute meltdown at mile 70 when the thought of another 5 hours on the bike had my mind upside down. I told a random guy in a white van that I loved him because he gave me a Coke. I laughed my ass off for no good reason at mile 125 when I realized that the poor event photographer was still out there taking photos. Just like me, he had literally been out there all day. Poor guy.

When I finally came up Double Peak and saw my son, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I made my way toward the top. His support made it feel easy, even at the 140+ mile mark. I chalked it up to Mama Bear motivation.

I didn’t come out on top in the results, but I stayed upright, smiled, rode further than I ever have and walked away feeling accomplished and ready for my next epic endeavor. I may not have any business doing half the epic shit I am doing, but sometimes “why not” is all the reason you need to get after your goals.

Casey Cohenmeyer 2016 kUDOs Award Winner

ORNESS

PAGE 28 | 2016 BWR

I’m fascinated by that place we reach after 6 or 7 hours of grueling terrain and the relentless pace and pursuit. I don’t mean the Oasis, I mean that dark place where you’re alone even among the group and you’ve got to find the other end or succumb to what are only thoughts of self-preservation. At that moment you’re slowing dying and pushing further just tempts that fate a bit more. It’s not natural, it’s not talent, it’s not training that gets you to the finish line.

This year’s BWR didn’t go as planned, but the incredible thing about the event is the opportunity for enjoyment in unexpected forms. The camaraderie is incomparable to any weekday group ride, and the terrain and views certainly surpass my usual weekend at an office park crit. I came to BWR with a score to settle from last year, but after suffering some mechanical and pheumatic misfortune early on at Modest Mule, came away with more respect for the many outcomes this race can bring. Whether Lady Luck or Miss Fortune join your ride, there’s a lesson and a takeaway you won’t find on any other prize list at any other event. See you next year.

April 26, 2015. I was volunteering for BWR when I saw a bunch of badasses turn onto the Hodges dirt and thought to myself, “this is so rad. I’ll never be able to do that.” With only 9 months in the saddle at that point, this was a logical thought.

Yet on April 24, 2016, I was a BWR finisher. In a year’s span, I’d registered, panicked, signed up for coaching through Source Endurance and trained my face off. I rode, ate, slept, and dreamed BWR for the next four months. During the ride, I only had one “I might die out here moment” and somehow managed to pass a few people in the dirt. BWR had made me somewhat literate at reading a line in the dirt, and I loved every second of it—no matter how sandy, rocky or crashy it got. I survived till Double Peak, and the sight of my husband Nick, dog Steve and a few friends was all I needed to pedal up that rung of Dante’s Inferno in a straight line before descending toward the finish in pure joy.

Though cycling started as exercise, it quickly became a sport, and has evolved into a full-on lifestyle with an amazing community of friends. The camaraderie experienced on the trails in the months leading up to BWR were so fun, as were the fist-bumps from guys on group rides when they learned I was taking this on. As I walked around the expo on Saturday before the race, I saw at least ten people whom I needed to hug, all whom I never would have met if not for BWR. I cannot wait for next year.

THANK YOU!

THE MAGIC OF THE CERVÉLO BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE IS ONLY ACHIEVED WITH HELP FROM THE INCREDIBLE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO GIVE THEIR ALL TO MAKE IT SPECIAL FOR THE RIDERS. FROM THE CHP OFFICERS WHO KEPT RIDERS SAFE, TO THE SCHOOLS, CLUBS AND SMILING FACES WHO DID COUNTLESS BOTTLE HAND-UPS, HERE’S A LIST OF THE AMAZING PEOPLE WHO MADE THE 2016 BWR EVEN BETTER.

SPONSORS: Cervélo Challenged Athletes Foundation (beneficiary) Clif GQ-6 Giro Hutchinson Tires Mavic Moment Bicycles StageOne The Lost Abbey Wend CHP OFFICIALS: Sgt. Jerry Matheson Ofcr. Anthony Florez Ofcr. Christopher Parent Ofcr. Dan Meyerholz Ofcr. Gil Ochoa Ofcr. Jame Crowe Ofcr. Kerry Comphel Ofcr. Patrick Williams PAGE 30 | 2016 BWR

CHP EXPLORERS: Carlos Lucas Chase Combs Christopher Paetow Clayton Aguirre Connor Decuir Gabriel Sutic Miguel Duran TBG EVENT TIMING Adrian Grange Anthony Tisbo Joey Rodriguez Melissa Martinez Travis Schrowe SPECIAL THANKS TO: Adam Martinez Adam Mills Austin Kruisheer Betty Designs Team Brandon Pleman Aiden Runner

Brian Hill Buddy Carr Cameron Down Camron Saulnier Carey Downs Chris Abad Chris Ryan Christian Ramirez Christina Araya Christine Yonan Chuck Pateros Corrie Machesky Cully Ryan Dan Martin David McNeal Debbie Sullivan Delaney Zines Dennis Dalangin Diane Siverts Drew Danzeisen Eamon O’Reilly Finn Isbell

Garrett Meier Graeme Stanners Grayson Saulnier Greg O’Bymachow Jason Karavidas Jay Isbell Jenna Klein Jim Miller Joe Yule Jojo Marckx Jonathan Deguzman JT Lyons June Honsberger Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Cal Kenny Souza State San Marcos Kappa Sigma Fraternity at San Diego State University Kappa Sigma Fraternity at UCSD Kate Gade

Keith Butsko Kelsey Nygaard Kristen Gross Linda Sager Lisa Giardino Marc Saulnier Marco Cubillos Marianne Zapella Mary Anne Reed Matt Hubbell Melissa Jacka Michael Marckx Mike Zines Natalie Walker Nicco Salvador Nick Cohenmeyer Paige Hodgkinson Paul Butler Phillip Tinstman Rachel Wills Ralph Elliott Randall Coxworth Robin Barsantee Rod Simmons Romi Marckx Roy Hough

State Wheels: Joseph LaFico Jose Caballero Greg Bauer Gear Grinder Grill/ Sambarn Promotions: Sam Ames Keith Barnden Greg Walker Matt Thompson Jenny Rous Andrea Ames John Zaninovich FRIENDS OF THE BWR: Anchor Audio City of San Marcos Dave Hekel of SDRT Ed Christensen at Lusardi Kawasaki Lakehouse Hotel and Resort Lululemon Nestle Water Residents of Canyon De Oro

Residents of Fortuna Del Este Residents of San Elijo Robert Fuller of San Diego County BWR VENDORS Arthritis Foundation BMC Betty Designs Bike Fetish Bike MS Camelbak Challenged Athletes Foundation Cervélo Clif Camelbak Campagnolo Compex Enduro Felt Focus

Hermes Sports Hutchinson Tires Illy Coffee JL Velo Junk Jam Longevity Physical Therapy Masi Bikes Mavic Moment Bicycles Monstrow Pearl Izumi Quick N’ Dirty Rapha Rinse Kit Ridley Bikes Source Endurance Speedplay Pedals StageOne State Wheels Tasco Wend Wax

Giro GQ-6 Haro Bikes

Sarah Taylor SDSU Triathlon Sherry Grijalva Signe Eyre Susan Hollander Swami’s Cycling Club Swami’s Magical Genies Tait Campbell Tomme Arthur Tony Coyne Victor Sheldon Velofix: Paul Dunlap Tom Cody Sam Dunlap Dan Mahaffey 2016 BWR | PAGE 31