Mr. CiclaValley ended up spending the weekend 3,000 miles away in southwestern Ontario. To my surprise, the cycling universe still continued(despite promoting some events on wrong dates).

It was quite a weekend to miss, as some of the best cycling events of the year took place on both coasts.

 

First, it the world famous Red Hook Crit attracting some of the best underground racers of the world.

This is how it works: you crash, you check if everything it’s ok and then you jump back on your bike and you take your revenge. @gianlucascafuro is our new hero here in tuscany. #capitanoscafuro #cykelnrivaltateam #Limar #PISSEI #redhookcriterium #redhookcrit #fallingandrising

A photo posted by Cykeln Rivalta Team (@cykelnrivaltateam) on Apr 26, 2015 at 1:18pm PDT

Competition is fierce. And so are the crashes.
 

The most stressful part about this race was getting there. Photo by our own @boostamantefotos A photo posted by Cameron Bond (@_cameronbond) on Apr 26, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

Congrats to local racer Cameron Bond making it into the finals and finishing with a 23rd place finish. That is no small task in the cycling world.
 

Another memorable #redhookcrit ! Congrats to the Italian Ivan Ravaioli

A photo posted by wolfpackhustle (@wolfpackhustle) on Apr 26, 2015 at 12:15pm PDT

The winner of this year’s men’s race was Italian Ivan Ravaioli with Spaniard, Ainara Elbusto Arteaga, taking home the women’s competition.  
 
 
On the other coast, the Belgian Waffle Ride has gained a reputation as one of the toughest rides in a very short time. Covering 140 miles, 13,000 feet of climbing and thirty miles of unpaved surfaces, this ride is about as punishing as it’s going to get:

 

I bunny hopped this guy in a group crash at around 36mph. I’m still crashed but escaped with no major injuries. Cut my #BWR #BWR2015 rode to the finish but just didn’t feel up to a second lap.

 

A photo posted by Troy Templin (@troytemplin) on Apr 26, 2015 at 1:18pm PDT

Oh….you will see blood.
 

It’s @philychzstk on his way up #doublepeak in the #bwr2015. Currently in 2nd Place @spyoptic #cycling

A video posted by @bikeistan on Apr 26, 2015 at 2:46pm PDT

Looks punishing? Right?
 

 

Proud and tired #finisher of the #BWR2015! Thanks for the support! Can’t wait for next year!!! #awesome #cycling #endurance #endurancetraining

 

A photo posted by Jamie and Barb (@servicecoursesd) on Apr 26, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

You finish, you get your own specialized beer from the Lost Abbey
 

Check out my aerial sample from today’s Belgium Waffle Race 2015. #bwr2015 #belguimwafflerace2015

A video posted by santhach (@santhach) on Apr 26, 2015 at 9:46pm PDT

A little sample overviewing the ride
 
 
There were a lot of great rides going on locally as well:

 

#TheCoolassRide #OohWhatsNewInLARide2015 image by @blancablancablanca #DTLA

 

A photo posted by Coolassmike Bowers (@coolassmike) on Apr 25, 2015 at 6:44pm PDT

The Cool Ass Ride rolled Saturday(which I incorrectly noted) and had a great crowd, despite the ominous weather.

#TheCoolassRide #ProjectionLA Only the True Ones made it through the rain to the final stop. The best of the whole day! #Silverlake image by @blancablancablanca

A photo posted by Coolassmike Bowers (@coolassmike) on Apr 25, 2015 at 6:53pm PDT

If you’re missed out, you missed the whitewashed Bates Motel on Sunset Blvd.

#LACBC #cafreesfv #bikeride arriving at #noho #laemmle theater for #free #popcorn and making use of #ladot #bikecorral!!

A photo posted by Hyeran Lee (@hyeranbikesla) on Apr 26, 2015 at 12:32pm PDT

Plenty of valley folk did the Car Free SFV ride on Sunday, exploring the Chandler Bike Path and the Bike Corral in front of NoHo Laemmle’s