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Cedar City, Utah – The cool morning air hovered around the low 50s as racers gathered at the start line of the 34th Belgian Waffle Ride. With nerves quietly buzzing and the sun just beginning to warm the red-dirt hills of southern Utah.
Now in its sixth year in Cedar City, this year’s BWR delivered everything we’ve come to expect, heat, singletrack, wind-whipped gravel, and performances that left nothing on the course.
From the very first pedal strokes, the energy was palpable. Riders wore their game faces as they surged off the line, winding through the course's infamous mix of gravel, sand, and tarmac. Feed zones became moments of brief salvation, as racers grabbed water, snacks, and words of encouragement—before diving back into the pain cave.
At mile 52, near feed zone two, the course featured a rowdy singletrack section complete with jump features that tested even the most dialed-in setups. “Too much sanding it—bumpy out there,” one rider muttered, fresh off the mountain bike sector.
But that’s Cedar City BWR—technical, hot, and relentless.
As the temperatures crept toward the 80s, the race lived up to its “hell of the west” reputation. Riders battled not only each other, but the sun and dry desert air. “Still climbing... still got a ways to go,” echoed one exhausted voice.
Attacks came thick and fast. At mile 86, Joe Goettl made his move on a downhill section—“believe it or not”—and it stuck. His setup was all-in for speed: aero wheels, fast tires, and a deep reservoir of grit.
By the time he crossed the line, arms raised, it was clear—Joe had taken his first BWR victory. “I wasn’t thinking about the finish,” he said afterward. “Just trying to stay out of trouble, eat, drink, and push when it mattered.” His strategy paid off, and he managed to hold off strong challenges from the likes of Carter Anderson and Griffin Hoppins.
In the women’s race, it was Flavia Oliveira Parks who finally claimed the elusive BWR win after years of trying. “I feel like I got the monkey off my back,” she beamed. “It’s my first win at BWR, and it feels amazing.”
The course—dusty, technical, and exposed—suited the climbers and the tacticians. Flavia’s focus was on survival early: “I wasn’t thinking about the win. I was just trying to stay out of trouble, eat, and drink as much as possible. It never lets up out there.”
Her effort wasn’t just strong—it was dominant. “We loved how you were towing the men,” someone joked at the finish. “They were getting zero draft!”
Off the course, the spirit of BWR was alive and well. Friends, teammates, and families gathered along the dusty roads to cheer, hand out water, and offer that extra ounce of motivation. “It takes a village every time,” said Flavia. “But today was special.”
Meanwhile, the Incycle Mommies and crew were out in full force—chatting, laughing, racing, and recovering from what one rider called “hard fun.” Gravel hacking, tired legs, and sore hands were badges of honor earned in Cedar City.
As the sun dipped below the mountains and the final riders crossed the line, one thing was clear—this wasn’t just another stop on the BWR calendar. Cedar City brought the suffering, the strategy, and the stories.
From first-timers to veterans, from brutal crashes to breakout victories, this year's BWR was a testament to the kind of racing—and riders—that define the dirt.
Until next year, ride hard, smile harder, and never coast
Cadence Cyclery Encinitas recently had the privilege of hosting PAS Normal Studios for their Mid Summer 200K ride. Regardless of your opinion of the PAS brand, there is no denying one thing. Between their US-based youth cycling program and now this group ride, they are here to impact the cycling community for the better. And they have some deeply passionate people working hard to make it happen. We are looking forward to more of this and hope to aid in their efforts however we can.
I’ve always believed that having a plan is good, but being flexible is even better. Our recent trip to Montana proved that point in the best way possible.
The inaugural Belgian Waffle Ride Montana didn’t just arrive in Bozeman—it kicked the door down, left tire tracks through the living room, and poured a cold recovery beer on the way out. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Montana’s vast gravel playgrounds, the first-ever BWR MT delivered a day that tested the sadists of the saddle and gave us the “Hell of the Bozone” in all its glory.
