photo by: City of Lawrence

A map of the 2022 Belgian Waffle Ride in Douglas and Jefferson counties is shown.

Lawrence, get ready for a whole lot of bicyclists and a few detours.

The second annual Belgian Waffle Ride has returned to Lawrence and will have bicyclists racing in parts of Douglas and Jefferson counties, and many race celebrations and award ceremonies in downtown Lawrence today and Sunday.

The city of Lawrence is reminding motorists of some street closures and detours that will result from the event, which is bringing hundreds of cyclists from across the country to the city for a long weekend.

The biggest days for closures and detours is Sunday. Sixth Street will be closed east of Massachusetts Street in downtown. Eastbound motorists will be required to turn south on Vermont Street or head north over the Kansas River bridge.

New Hampshire Street also will be closed between Sixth and Seventh streets in downtown.

Motorists in the county should be alert for bicyclists in areas north of Lawrence, stretching into Jefferson County. See the map above for more details about the race route.

Portions of downtown Lawrence already are closed for celebrations related to the race. Eighth Street between New Hampshire and Massachusetts Street is closed, as is Eighth Street between Massachusetts and Vermont.

Those areas are hosting concerts and award ceremonies. Downtown will be the site of free concert by the Get Up Kids at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Events conclude on Sunday with a 5 p.m. awards ceremony in downtown.

The Belgian Waffle Ride is a national series that features courses in excess of 100 miles, with most of the race taking place on gravel roads. Indeed, the event does serve Belgian waffles to participants.

Lawrence-based Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop has been a key organizer to bring the event to Lawrence, which draws riders from across the country not only for the tough racing but also the festive activities surrounding it.

“The whole thing is kind of a party that happens to have a crazy bike race,” Dan Hughes owner of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop, told the Journal-World ahead of last year’s race.