The kind of bike you ride will depend on the type of rider you are and how comfortable you are in the dirt and during long races. The uniqueness of the BWR is that it really causes great consternation as to what weapon to bring to the fight. Too much bike and the 90 miles of road will zap you. Too little, and the rocks, sand, gravel and water will make you suffer or flat.
Keep in mind, the BWR was conceived in part as an answer to the Freddie Freeloaders who can be found sitting in on group rides until a sprint happens… they bug. Those Freddies won’t be found at the BWR, but that has nothing to do with the bike you should ride.
On race day, you will notice there are road bikes with 25mm tires; plenty of Canyon Ultimates will devour the course from the front. There will be plenty of Canyon Grails, a unique gravel bike that provides clean comfort in any dirty detour. There will also be a lot of cyclocross type bikes, like the Canyon Inflite, where 32mm tires and plenty of clearance make for a speedy steed. Still others will be on the Canyon Endurace, with its endurance-optimized relaxed geometry, enhanced control features and race comfort; this bike is as at home on the road as it is in the gravel. You will even see mountain bikes, like the Canyon Lux, a light, full-suspension XC ATV. What you won’t see are e-bikes, time trail bikes or tandems.
The bike you should ride is the one you are most comfortable on for both road and dirt. After all, the BWR is a road race; a spring classic that’s long with devilish sectors to make you question your weapon, again and again.
Pick your weapon here!