The Hardest Start in Gravel Racing | BWR California

[@bigredactionsportsstuff1245]

You guys have something special with the Bonk Bros, I think as long as y’all keep it at least loosely structured with some topics each week, and keep Dylan from filibustering, you guys can go far.

[@whatwouldjacobdo]

Well said.

[@PurelySnype]

I was bummed after last year's accident when you said you were done with crits. I'm volunteering as a corner marshall for Snake Alley this year. I am so stoked you are coming and can't wait to cheer you on in a few weeks!

[@Veloworthy]

Great job out there! It was brutal.

[@BrightLight105]

When are you going to post a bike check video?

[@kenji1204]

Great vid! Love’d the commentary, music. Perfect for the turbo

[@Rasler63]

Another great Racereport by you. Cant wait to here the banter about the Race in the next Bonkbros Episode

[@davidzink571]

Drew, thanks for a great recap! I have raced BWR twice, and I appreciate your frustration with overtaking the “amateur” riders. Of all the gravel races I have done, I think BWR is by far the least ?safe? to race full tilt, in terms of course conflicts between fast/slow riders and vehicular traffic. This is especially true, as you point out, as one closes in on the finish. With that said, I don’t blame the organizer, as I’m not sure there are any practical ways to provide separation for a course providing this unique blend of road and off road segments in and out of this high population density area. IMO, I think these conflicts have gotten much worse in the last few years as the pointy end of the race has gotten bigger and more competitive. I share the previous commenter’s view that the “slower” riders are the reason the opportunity for the competitive riders exists, and I think frustrated riders on the pointy end need to take a breath and remember why this race is even here, why sponsors are supporting competitive gravel riders, and that mass a participation race (or ride) is just that. BTW, I thought you handled the overtakes as well as possible- I just think that the slow riders need to be considered another challenge on the course, same goes for the crazy traffic issues that can happen in the last few miles.

[@TheSlowoldman]

I rode this ride back in '15 and '16. We used to descend Del Dios to hit the first "unroad" section. I hit that section in 6th wheel in '16. I'm a certified non climbing 30 year crit racer..... (not racing any longer as I'm slow and old) I would have NEVER made it to the first "unroad" section in the top 300 if we started with that uphill section. I loved this ride, so much fun, I rode my crit bike with 25mm tires the first year and 28 the next. As a side note, I was Griffin Easter's little league coach when he made All Stars (Griffin was 9 years old or so if I remember correctly) in Claremont. Would run into him later at races it is nice to see he's still sticking with it!! Go Griff!

[@adadinthelifeofacyclist]

Epic 💥 So many miles of beautiful riding! 😃

[@kevinbroadstreet8053]

Your kit is FIRE 🔥🔥

[@hughbike]

this was so great! Thanks for the race analysis and also providing your nutrition Drew! Good luck in your events this month as you prepare to TAKE DOWN DJ at Unbound!

[@ericmueller8233]

I am glad to have finished the Wafer well before the first Waffle rider so I’m not that guy in the video 😂. Nice to meet you in Chipotle before the race!

[@neilashton9459]

Congrats on a great race - and maybe your best yet recap 😉

[@nomadtrails]

Sick, as always. Do you have a bike check video?

[@gbern1308]

Totally agree, great race report! Thanks for creating and sharing this content. Fun to follow you. Great result too.

[@thecyclinggreek274]

Great video and race story. I like your narrated videos as opposed to the "text inserted" videos.

[@AdamMcMurry]

Great stuff -

[@kroman4]

I would love a bike check and some thoughts on the State Bike! Looks like a sweet deal but don’t find much info on KZbin

[@hoosierhotep2665]

Ian Boswell is the spirit of gravel

[@kazzz6666]

Love the FullCritMode :-D

[@holdsteadfast]

“Matt Beers on the front, driving the pace, guys are getting blown, gaps are opening” …. Pause ….

[@Slopes_N_Singletrack]

One day, it would be funny if you put the Mario Kart start song at the start of one of these races for your playback/race commentary.

[@gilbertamthor5098]

I get u about sharing the course. But is it really a race or legally licensed as a ride? Awesome video. Really enjoyed it . Just finished 24 yrs of Ironman racing , fun to see how talented you guys are on a cyclocross bike

[@Calebyte]

Drew, could you elaborate about your fueling strategy? How often do you eat/drink? In what order do you consume your nutrition? I'm guessing you consume your bottles first since you are swapping them at the feed zones? Do you ever race with a hydration pack, or do you carry bottles only? Thanks, and congrats on the result.13th is huge!!!

[@michaelflores7657]

I really enjoyed this content. I was in the Wafer and got passed around the Questhaven area by the Pros. It’s disappointing to hear you complain about us “lappers”. I’m 61yrs old and was trying my best the whole race and really tried to stay out of people’s way. Maybe they should do the Pros one day and the “lappers” the next day? Good luck to you in the future.

[@ervin7178]

He’s complaining about the race organizers putting everyone in that situation not you.

[@daneitman]

Funny that he’s the only one that’s complaining about the few miles where this happens to maybe the top 50 in the field…despite this “problem” with the 500+ doing the shorter “Wafer”, the BWR still attracts the deepest field of pros who understand the event.

[@michaelflores7657]

@@daneitman in contrast I was passed by a couple of pros that finished in the top 5 and they were so encouraging to me as I was climbing DoublePeak! Really class acts and their sponsors should be proud to be associated with them!

[@amacklin6]

Yea I dont think saying “I didn’t mean to offend…” [the lady who caused him to tip over] absolves this guy of being a dick. I’d be curious to know what he barked at her as he went by. Gravel is supposed to be a more inclusive sub-segment of cycling and if all advanced cyclists acted this way during events it’s quickly going to deter a lot of amateurs whose interest is undoubtedly fueling the sponsorships and prize pots that you’re all competing for. I watch and enjoy a lot of these gravel race recaps on many pros’ channels and while I have generally enjoyed Drew’s videos too, the more I watch the more I notice he’s becoming a lot more stuck up and whiny.

[@pavement_menace]

Now knowing that Matt Beer's FTP is 480.... He was just riding tempo at the start. F. Lol.

[@billyblanco8106]

Musica Excellente !!!

[@rodrodriguez5847]

Well that what u call BTFU! Us amateurs is part of ur Pro challenge.

[@jeremysweeten2792]

How was wildman wilderness???

[@scottheitmanmarinesurvey3557]

380 TSS!!!!! Nice

[@burronorteno]

Where did valverde get dropped?

[@michaelflores7657]

He flated going down Questhaven near the start of the race. At least I saw him on the side of the trail working on his bike.

[@TyTy22_]

Wait, Strada Bianca XP?? Take my money

[@drouleau]

Yep, Double Peak sucks - but as you said, what makes it much harder is the climb to get to it. Basically a kick to the nuts, and then another kick for good measure.

[@timtaylor9590]

i thought the bonk bros pod was dead.

[@user-wi4ol6yz3l]

drew tries to pull for the collective of a group (impossible)

[@nihilistmarmot]

Enjoying your race reports as much for what they're not (cliched superlatives ("awesome" "epic" "amazing"); heavy-handed product placement; lifestyle proselytizing (team vegan); record store clerk music) as for what they are: matter-of-fact commentary with a healthy amount of self-deprecation and very little fat. Best of luck out there.

[@Deltadawg660]

the announcer sounds like the BASSMASTERS commentator

[@calebchristian9521]

See ya at Unbound

[@bluegreymtb3350]

I think you and Dillon should have a race off!

[@MelvilleAlbert-h2j]

Martinez Anthony White Kenneth Hall Barbara

[@LouisConolyE]

Anderson Susan Lewis Jose Martin Joseph

[@SneufxWjehfyfr-v9z]

Anderson Elizabeth Thompson Jennifer Robinson Donna

[@OscarPrima-b4y]

Rodriguez Anna Davis Linda Hernandez Jeffrey

[@SneufxWjehfyfr-v9z]

Hall Nancy Moore Daniel Williams Dorothy

[@MrMgm7777]

Good video and recap. But I have some thoughts.. 1. The BWR ain't no Fucking Pro race! It's a ride. If you want to ride a pro race only, do something else, because the BWR is not that. 2. As one of those 'amateur lapped riders' you spoke of, I assue you, we're the ones paying the bill for your prize money. Not the few dozen or so 'pro riders'. 3. At the end of the day, the BWR is not about notching another prize on your belt. It's about enjoying an epic day on one of the most unique events in the world. So enjoy it, drink your beer prize and don't worry about all the other BS.

[@beatricelewinese7939]

Taylor Eric Young Kenneth Thompson Charles