Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona
28 Feb 2026 (Sat)
176.99km, 109.41km, 64.36km
Join Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona 2026
Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona returns to the Sonoran Desert as the season-opening shot across the bow of the Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel. Set in late February, BWR AZ is where winter legs meet desert reality and the unroad makes its first, unforgettable demand of the year.
This is not a polite introduction. It’s a sunlit reckoning. Riders are dropped into a landscape of undulating whoops, sinuous singletrack, sandy washes, chunky gravel, and short, sharp climbs that arrive early and linger long. The terrain flows and fights in equal measure, threading through cactus corridors and wide-open desert where momentum matters and mistakes echo.
BWR AZ blends rugged adventure with flow. Technical sections reward handling and nerve. Fast sectors tempt overconfidence. The desert doesn’t shout, it just keeps asking the question until you answer honestly. Bike choice, tire pressure, nutrition, and grit all get a vote.
True to Belgian Waffle Ride form, riders can choose their flavor of suffering and celebration. The full Waffle delivers a long, demanding day built for those chasing glory, points, and personal limits. The Wafer offers a concentrated hit of the same terrain and intensity. The Wanna opens the door to newer riders and first-timers looking to taste the unroad without being swallowed by it.
But BWR AZ isn’t only about the race. It’s about the energy. The desert light. The shared nerves at the start. The quiet moments when you realize how far you’ve gone and how far there still is to go. And, of course, the finish. Waffles in hand. Dust on your kit. Stories already growing in the retelling.
This is where the BWR year begins. Where legs wake up. Where intentions are tested. Where the desert reminds you that gravel is not a surface. It’s a state of mind.
Course details
Rolling waves of dirt that never quite let you settle. Momentum is currency here. Get it right and you fly. Get it wrong and you bleed watts early.
• Sinuous Sonoran Singletrack
Flowy, fast, and technical in all the right ways. Natural humps, water bars, and playful jumps stitched through cactus corridors. Equal parts grin and grit.
• Sandy Wash Roulette
Deceptively calm from a distance. Deep, energy-sapping sand that rewards smart line choice, steady power, and a light touch on the bars.
• Chunky Gravel Sectors
Classic BWR unroad. Loose, rattly stretches where tire choice matters and patience beats bravado. A quiet place to lose bottles and gain respect.
• Punchy Climbs That Arrive Early
Short, sharp efforts that spike the heart rate and remind you this is not a warm-up ride. Pace discipline early pays dividends later.
• Fast, Exposed Connectors
Open desert roads where speed builds, winds toy with you, and small groups form uneasy truces. Cooperation optional. Consequences guaranteed.
• Technical Descents with Consequences
Not long, but not forgiving. Rocky chutes and off-camber turns that demand attention when fatigue starts whispering bad ideas.
• Desert Light Finish
A final run home through golden-hour Sonoran light. Dust in the air, legs hollowed out, waffles and beer waiting. The desert’s last word.
Start address: Ranch Road Staging Area, East Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Finish address: Ranch Road Staging Area, East Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Route map
Register
Registration closes on 27 February (49 days left)
selected tickets
Total
You can, within 24 hours after your registration, get a full refund if you change your mind.
We accept
What’s included
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done Goodie bag
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done Cash prizes
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done Timing chip (single use)
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done Photo Service
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done Training program
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done Expo entry
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done Pre-race meal
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done Post-race meal
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done Parking
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done Drink Stations
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done Nutrition Stations
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done Medical Assistance
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done Toilets
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done Accident insurance
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Can someone collect my race pack for me?
Unfortunately no, as each registrant is required to sign/agree to their own waivers.
Can I change the distance after I purchase a ticket?
Yes
Where can I find the route maps?
We do not reveal the routes or until the week before the event in respect for private landowners and areas that are permitted only for that one special day a year. There will be, however, many hints and communications that will give all the information needed to choose the correct equipment and sector info needed for a successful ride. Routes will be available in the expo at registration.
Can I do the event on my mountain bike?
The event is possible on a variety of bicycles including mountain, E-Bike, tandem and ElliptiGO—but choose your weapon wisely and a good gravel bike like the Canyon Grizl or Grail is recommended.
The race information has been found on the official website of the event or through publicly available sources. Always refer to the official website the latest race information. Please let us know if any data is wrong or missing, by emailing us.
