Top 12 Photos from The Hell of the South (Utah) - A BWR Cedar City Race Recap
On October 17, 2020, in a small college town some 50 miles north of Zion National Park and 250 miles south of the Great Salt Lake, a mixed-terrain bicycle race captured the hope and imagination of the world’s cycling community. It had been 217 days since the last premium gravel race as riders of all disciplines gathered in Cedar City, Utah for a trepidatious test of their singular and collective mettle. With both 80 and 125-mile courses marked and ready, nearly 800 riders pushed off in distanced groups of fifty for the long and sustained stretches of crushed rock ahead. Today we remember that brisk morning and long day that followed, as we share some of our favorite professional photographs from the 2020 Belgian Waffle Ride Cedar City.
A battered American flag waved amid sub-40F temps and light wind at the start, set at Policy Kings Brewing in downtown Cedar City. PC: Linda Guerrette
Neil Shirley explaining to a young grasshopper how gravel could never be ruined, as long as the stoke remains real. PC: Ian Matteson
After the one-for-all start, Graveleurouleurs pushed north through the fog laden Groene Vlaggen. PC: Simon Nicholls
A pack of riders approach an I-15 underpass, introducing low visibility as an additional threat. PC: Ian Matteson
The Red Hills provided riders with the first climb of the day, Rode Heuvels, as sunlight revealed its distinctive colours and terrain. PC: Ian Matteson
The eventual 2nd place finisher among women, Kathy Pruitt, takes full advantage of her drops while descending the Down Kanarra. Kathy finished the Waffle in just over 6h 39m. PC: Ian Matteson
A rider looks to make up time on one of the many loose descents that characterized 2020’s first BWR. PC: Ian Matteson
Leo Rodgers of Team Brooks joined in the fun and almost certainly spread the most good vibes of anyone that day. PC: Eddie Hoffman
One of many cattle grids on course provided additional context to the region’s culture and economy. PC: Simon Nicholls
Chief Race Promoteur, Michael Marckx, illustrating the importance of PPE while ensuring the integrity of his race and the safety of all participants. PC: Simon Nicholls
The 125 mile grind ended with a dramatic supple sprint between Peter Stetina and Keegan Swenson. PC: Jake Orness
Taking the top spots in both the Men’s and Women’s Cedar City Waffle, Stan's-Pivot Pro Team riders Keegan Swenson and Rose Grant. PC: Erick Gonzalez
A special thanks to MMX and the entire BWR/MoC crew for pulling this event off and inviting us along for the ride.
You can learn more about the Belgian Waffle Ride at https://belgianwaffleride.bike/