COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Cycling is excited to announce a partnership with Monuments of Cycling, the producers of the Belgian Waffle Ride and Tripel Crown of Gravel Series for 2020 and 2021, offering free and discounted registrations in accordance with a continued expansion of its Youth and Collegiate Development program. USA Cycling is focused on creating more access points for youth to connect with and become involved in the sport of cycling, and this partnership was formed with that in mind.
The events begin on May 3, 2020 with the Ninth Annual Canyon Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR), where the sold-out event is offering Youth riders a special opportunity to participate in the short course, Belgian Wanna Ride, free of charge. The program continues with the Tripel Crown of Gravel Series, which commences in Asheville, NC, on August 30, heads to Cedar City, UT on October 17, and concludes with the final event of the Tripel Crown at the massive Canyon BWR in San Diego, scheduled for May 2, 2021. Youth riders (18 years old and younger) will be afforded the opportunity to ride for free throughout the 2020/2021 Tripel Crown Series and Collegiate riders (ages 18 to 23 years old) will get a 50% discount on any BWR registrations.
"As we look towards the future of this sport, USA Cycling is focused on developing young and collegiate riders," said Lindsay Goldman, Director of Marketing and Membership for USA Cycling. "In September 2019, we established a new department within USA Cycling that is dedicated exclusively to the growth of cycling among youth and working to get more kids riding bikes, and marquee events like the Belgian Waffle Ride offer them a fun and exciting way to participate in the sport."
The Canyon Belgian Waffle Ride is one of the most unique cycling events in the United States, offering riders an unparalleled challenge of mixed-terrain riding on courses typically covering 140-miles of paved and off-road sectors, with the Belgian Wafer Ride offering up roughly half the Waffle distance, and the Belgian Wanna Ride half of the Wafer distance. Online registration for all events, including the Tripel Crown of Gravel Series, opens February 18, 2020, at 9 a.m. (PT) at BelgianWaffleRide.Bike.
For the first time in 2020, the iconic BWR will be staged outside of California. The Asheville race will provide professional and amateur cyclists access to the most coveted roads and off-road sectors around the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Hosted by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company at their iconic Mills River location, the event's start, finish, and expo will take place on the scenic brewery grounds. The route features rolling mountain passes, rough and rocky outcroppings, lake views, dense forests and rivers and waterfalls. Riders will get a bit of everything thrown at them: hard-packed, flat, loose, rocky, uphill and downhill gravel over a 144-mile route punctuated by 20 off-road sectors that give the event a unique and challenging complexion.
The first BWR at elevation follows in the scenic and rugged West Desert of Southern Utah. This is a true gravel edition BWR, punctuated with the most coveted decomposed granite roads and off-road sectors in the region. The event is being hosted by the town of Cedar City and the Policy Kings Brewery where the start, finish, and expo will be held. The 137-mile route features sectors through the famous Red Hills, Parowan Gap along Little Salt Lake, Coal and Whitney Canyons, and Granite Mountain. Cedar Mountains and Dixie National Forest provide the eastern backdrop.
Each BWR will offer a prize purse to top-five finishers, female and male. The Tripel Crown will offer a separate prize purse to the top three men and women overall across the three events based on their cumulative times. An age group competition will award top riders in each five-year age bracket with Tripel Crown of Gravel honors.
BWR sponsors for the Tripel Crown of Gravel Series include Canyon Bikes, USA Cycling, IRC Tire, Eliel Cycling, 100% Eyewear, Science in Sport, ENVE Wheels, Monster Hydro, Wahoo Fitness, Wend Performance and VeloFix.
For more information about the Monuments of Cycling Tripel Crown of Gravel Series visit www.TripelCrownofGravel.com, www.MonumentsofCycling.com or www.BelgianWaffleRide.Bike.
