Sunday...Belgian Waffle Ride (Wafer version). I rode this year's event with a good friend (Mike) who I've been riding and racing with since the '90s. On recent rides together, we have been very evenly matched for climbing speed and handling skills. This was his first gravel race/event. Last year's BWR was my first. At 7am, 2000+ riders headed out of San Marcos to tackle one of 3 different course options - the Waffle (120mi), the Wafer (75mi), or the Wanna (43mi). Mike and I went at a pretty energetic and "racy" pace (for us) until the aid station at 40mi, digging moderately deep on climbs, and attacking downhills and singletracks. We weren't ever going to be among the leaders, but settled in with a few different groups of folks of similar strengths, and had a blast pushing against our limits. After the 40mi point, we eased off our tempo a bit, and found wheels to follow through the mostly-paved rolling terrain. At mile 52, cramps started to bite me. I'm familiar with this, and know I can usually ride through it, but I had to take it easier for a bit before easing back into our tempo. Mike was having the same challenges. At the 60 mile aid station, we were both feeling pretty drained, but it was clear that Mike was suffering worse. We set out, knowing that 2 tough climbs faced us before the finish. Mike's pace faded, and his battle with leg cramps became a real struggle, but we made it over the final Questhaven and Doublepeak climbs, bombed the descents, and rolled a cross the finish line together, 162nd and 163rd out of 392 Wafer route finishers. For me, this was an improvement of about 10% on my finish placing compared to last year, with .5mph higher average speed, and 20+W higher average power. I feel like I got my fueling and clothing exactly right, was very happy with all my equipment choices, and pleased with how my body performed. Despite my pre-race guidance, Mike didn't do a great job with his fueling and hydration, and that contributed to his struggles. Regardless, we both had a great time, and are already looking forward to next year. https://www.strava.com/activities/11287549244

EDIT: Last year, pro race winner Russel Finsterwald passed me near the top of the Questhaven climb. This year's pro winner, Matt Beers, didn't catch me until near the gate at the bottom of the last section of the Doublepeak climb, and less than 10 pros caught me before the finish line. Granted, they did 45 more miles than me, but I'll still take it as a sign of improvement in my own performance - LOL.