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Gallery: 2019 Belgian Waffle Ride

Dirt, grit, and syrup: A look at the 2019 edition of Belgian Waffle Ride in North San Diego County.

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2019 — The traditional waffle breakfast at BWR helps riders prepare for a long day. A total of 4,000 meals were prepared by on-site catering for breakfast and post-ride. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — The 133-mile course was divided into pavement, dirt, and climbing sectors for the top-tube sticker. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — This year’s BWR fell on Cinco de Mayo, and the race organizers did not let that go unrecognized. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Michael Marcks founded BWR eight years ago, and has built the race into a significant event for the San Diego cycling community. Photo: Wil Matthews

belgian — The 2019 BWR cut off registration at 1,800 riders. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Before the race, Ted King said there was one rider he was concerned about, but declined to say who. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — There aren’t many similarities between Belgium and San Diego, except the opportunity for a punishing tough ride and beer at the finish. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — The front line of the women’s field featured riders with a wide spectrum of career accomplishments. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Hanna Muegge was one of the many elite riders at BWR with an established road career. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Much of the opening road section is technically neutral, but the 200-plus riders in the first wave were hitting 45mph on the way. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — The entrance to Lemontwistenberg, the first dirt section, got a little crowded in 2019. Photo: Chris Cox

2019 — Just a few miles after the start of the first dirt section, fire road climbs let the riders spread out a little. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Former pro road rider Bryan Lewis on the climb up from Lake Hodges Dam. Wil Matthews

2019 — Ted King motions the lead riders to keep working as they head along Del Dios Road to the second dirt sector. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — The first singletrack wound through Del Dios Gorge recreation area. Photo: Danny Munson

2019 — Highland Valley Road is the first significant BWR climb and test for the elite riders, ascending over the local orchards for a steep mile. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Challenges faced in good spirits are a hallmark of BWR. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Black Canyon sector started with a decepively easy and scenic entrance. Photo: Wil Matthews

day — Alison Tetrick at the 2019 BWR, crashed twice in the opening chaos on the dirt, and persevere to finish the 133-mile route. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Drew Dillman put his cyclocross experience to use leading the elite men through the rock gardens near Lake Hodges.

2019 — Hanna Muegge attempted to close ground on the women’s leader heading to Black Canyon, with Rashan Bahati following close behind.

2019 — Sarah Max heads out of the Sandy Bandy dirt section on way to second place in the women’s field. Photo: Steve Driscoll

2019 — Road miles don’t always equal recovery miles at BWR, where long canyon climbs after technical dirt sectors can test every part of a rider.

2019 — At Belgian Waffle Ride, Sturm established her lead in the women’s race on the dirt sectors but continued to push the pace over Sutherland Dam. Photo: Chris Cox

2019 — At Belgian Waffle Ride, Sturm crested the highest point on the course, Double Peak, with more than three minutes on her closest competitor. Photo: Steve Driscoll

2019 — The front group heads east toward the longest dirt sections of the race, Black Canyon. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Turning the 13 upside down wasn’t enough to protect local pro Justin Oien from double-flatting in a remote area while riding with the front group. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — The climb out of Black Canyon is a steep mix of sand and washboard surfaces, but the front group stayed together all the way out. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Peter Stetina reached into the snack bin offered to the lead riders by the race. The long course riders can burn 6,000 calories over 133 miles.

2019 — The select group at BWR descends from Sutherland Dam. Photo: Craig Huffman

2019 — The lead group was whittled down to just Eddie Anderson and Peter Stetina as they approached the last and most significant climb of the day. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — At the base of Double Peak, Peter Stetina left Eddie Anderson for good to head in for the win. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Peter Stetina won the 2019 Belgian Waffle Ride while still also racing in the WorldTour. Photo: Danny Munson

2019 — Olivia Dillon on way to her third-place finish. Dillon is a seven-time national road champion for Ireland. Photo: Steve Driscoll

2019 — Drew Dillman pulled off his glasses at the finish. Photo: Danny Munson

2019 — Sarah Strum crossed the finish line after just under six and half hours on course. Photo: Jake Orness

2019 — Riding 133 miles, with a significant amount of those over dirt, enevtably leads to mechanical problems. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Kevin Gerkins wipes away the crust following a hard day at the front. Gerkins set tempo for much of the day for the lead group. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Each rider completing BWR is rewarded with a special ale brewed by the location host and sponsor Lost Abbey. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Sarah Max traveled from Bend, OR and put in a tremendous ride to finish 2nd in the Belgian Waffle Ride. Photo: Jake Orness

2019 — Mass-start events like BWR largely become an individual effort, but many look to see how their ride compared to others. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Alison Tetrick prepped winner Sarah Strum for post-race photos. Photo: Wil Matthews

2019 — Sarah Sturm before and after 136 miles at the Belgian Waffle Ride. Photo: Jake Orness

20019 — Olivia Dillon from Fairfax, CA enjoys a Lost Abbey brew within minutes of finishing 3rd place in the Belgian Waffle Ride. Photo: Jake Orness

2019 — Peter Stetina remarked after finish that BWR “I’ve done a lot of classics, and I don’t think I ever suffered that bad in a decade of being a pro.” Photo: Jake Orness

2019 — Eddie Anderson after his second place finish. Photo: Jake Orness

2019 — The finish line doesn’t close until the final finisher crosses the line, and this year it was Sunceray Rickard, in just over 13 hours. Photo: Jake Orness

2019 — Photo: Wil Matthews

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