A New Era of Access, Empowerment, and Visibility for Women in
Gravel Cycling, Led by Pro Athlete and Advocate Starla Teddergreen
The Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR), North America’s most irreverent and demanding unroad cycling series, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Distance To Empty (DTE), the women-led cycling program founded by professional cyclist and advocate Starla Teddergreen. Together, BWR and DTE are launching an ambitious, multi-year initiative designed to get more women to the start line — and keep them there— through community programs, mentorship, full-team race activations, and the possibility of women-only race starts across BWR events beginning in 2026.
At its core, this partnership is about removing barriers, building confidence, and creating visible pathways for women to show up boldly in gravel cycling, where camaraderie, adventure, and immovable community await.
“BWR has always been about rewriting the rules of what a bike race can be,” said Michael Marckx, creator of the Belgian Waffle Ride and CEO of Monuments of Cycling.
“Partnering with Starla and Distance To Empty brings that same rebellious hope into the women’s field in a profound way. This isn’t just about starts and categories. It’s about creating space for women to feel empowered to show up, take the start line, and write their own racing story. Starla has lived the climb, the crash, the comeback. And now she’s leading a movement. We’re honored to build this next chapter together.”
Why Distance To Empty Exists
Distance To Empty (DTE) was founded on a simple but powerful belief: we only get one go at this life — and too often, fear talks us out of living it. While DTE’s mission centers on elevating women in cycling, its values resonate universally: choose the hard things, step beyond comfort, and become braver versions of yourself through action.
DTE is a women-focused cycling program committed to getting more women to the start line through:
- Access
- Mentorship
- Representation
- Skill development
- Real-world community support
Its multi-tiered pathway includes:
- Pursuit Award Riders
- Development Riders
- Ambassadors
- Alumni
- 2026 Elite Women’s Squad
Together, these levels create a sustainable ecosystem where women can enter the sport, grow within it, and remain connected long-term — from first-time racers to nationally and internationally competitive athletes.
Why Women-Only Starts Matter
Women-only starts have been proven to:
- Reduce intimidation barriers
- Improve safety and rider confidence
- Create cleaner, more competitive racing
- Increase overall female participation
- Strengthen long-term retention
Rather than forcing women to survive the dynamics of the men’s field, women-only starts allow riders to race their race, leading to stronger participation, healthier competition, and deeper community.
Through this partnership, BWR and DTE are committed to making equitable race experiences the standard — not the exception.
What the Partnership Brings to BWR
Beginning in 2026, DTE will bring its full Elite Women’s Squad to BWR events nationwide. The team will:
- Compete as a fully coordinated unit
- Activate the Women’s Wafer fields
- Lead pre-race and on-site community engagement
- Serve as highly visible mentors for new and returning riders
The shared goal: lift the entire women’s field, elevate the race dynamic, and create a culture where more women feel supported, seen, and capable of taking the start line with confidence.
About Starla Teddergreen
Starla Teddergreen is a professional cyclist with over 20 years of racing experience across road, gravel, and mountain biking — from the UCI WorldTour to the most demanding off-road stage races on earth. In 2022, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis — and instead of stepping away, she leaned in.
Since then, Starla has:
- Competed in the Life Time Grand Prix
- Represented Team USA at the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships (2024 & 2025)
- Raced the legendary Absa Cape Epic
- Continued to podium at elite levels
Beyond racing, Starla is:
- A certified cycling coach and skills instructor
- A freelance brand and kit designer
- A national advocate for women in cycling accessibility and safety
Starla Teddergreen, Founder of Distance To Empty said:
Distance To Empty exists because I’ve seen firsthand how many talented women never make it to the start line — not from lack of ability, but from lack of access, confidence, and support. The Belgian Waffle Ride has always stood for boldness and belonging. Together, we’re creating real opportunity for women to show up, race hard, and take their place in the sport — at every distance and every level.
About Distance To Empty
Distance To Empty is a grassroots, women-led cycling program dedicated to removing barriers to entry and building confident, capable riders at every stage of the journey. Through community, mentorship, coaching, design, and real-world racing support, DTE creates an ecosystem where women belong — from their first group ride to the world championship start line.
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