February 19, 2025
7 min read

Belgian Waffle Ride BC Returns June 7-8, 2025: The Hell of the Great White North is Back!

San Diego, CA // Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada – November 19, 2024 – The iconic Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR) is bringing its signature blend of suffering and celebration back to Vancouver Island for its third annual BWR BC on June 7-8, 2025, in Duncan, B.C. Co-hosted by Monuments of Cycling and Canadian partner Platinum Racing, this event promises an unforgettable weekend filled with waffles, craft beer, epic racing, and unapologetically polite Canadian hospitality.

Located in the Cowichan Valley, renowned as Canada’s “Warm Land,” BWR BC wraps up the spring cycling season with its unique flair, blending world-class terrain with unroad mayhem. Riders will traverse dozens of gravel sectors, singletrack, and paved roads across a stunning multi-surface course that showcases the island’s rugged beauty. Whether you’re a hardened veteran or a first-time adventurer, this unroad experience has something for every level of masochism.

The Venue: An Unroad Playground

The Cowichan Exposition Grounds in Duncan will serve as race HQ, surrounded by legendary riding zones like Mt. Tzouhalem, Cobble Hill, Maple Mountain, and Mt. Prevost. This idyllic setting offers a mix of technical singletrack, sweeping gravel roads, and breathtaking climbs, making it a bucket-list destination for cyclists worldwide.

Accommodations are plentiful, ranging from on-site RV parking, tent camping, and bikepacking options to charming Airbnbs and hotels in Duncan, Nanaimo, and Victoria. Highlights include the Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, Best Western Cowichan Bay, and Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway.

The Race

Inspired by the European Spring Classics, BWR BC is equal parts grueling and glorious. The main event, the 120-mile (195-km) Waffle Ride, dares participants to tackle Vancouver Island’s most unforgiving terrain. For those not ready to go all-in, the 70-mile Wafer Ride offers a smaller bite of the challenge, and the Wanna Ride gives newcomers a fun, approachable 35-mile course.

Every route features a blend of gravel, singletrack, cow paths, rutted hardpack, sand, and steep climbs, ensuring no comfort zone is left unbroken. Whether you’re a roadie, gravelleur, mountain biker, or cyclocross aficionado, BWR BC guarantees you’ll face challenges that will push you to the brink.

A Festival of Fun

Beyond the racing, the BWR BC weekend promises a vibrant festival atmosphere. The Unroad Cycling Festival will feature live music, a massive beer garden, and culinary delights ranging from frites to the finest Belgian waffles. Family-friendly activities and local craft brews will round out the festivities, making this event as enjoyable for spectators as it is for racers.

Elite Competition and Amateur Glory

With a cash prize purse on the line, BWR BC will attract top talent from Canada, the U.S., and beyond. Professional road cyclists, gravel grinders, and mountain bike legends will face off against a deep field of ambitious amateurs, offering all participants the rare opportunity to race alongside their heroes.

Why BWR BC Stands Out

Now entering its 14th year globally, the Belgian Waffle Ride series has built a reputation as the most unique cycling event in North America. Its unroad format—combining road, gravel, and dirt—challenges riders across every discipline, creating a melting pot of competition and camaraderie. The Cowichan Valley’s diverse terrain perfectly encapsulates the BWR ethos, offering a balance of brutal climbs, technical descents, and serene coastal vistas.

“Vancouver Island offers limitless possibilities of trails, gravel roads, and varied terrain,” said Tom Bamford, President of Platinum Racing. “Paired with our polite Canadian hospitality, amazing food, and world-class brews, this event will be one riders celebrate for years to come.”

The Details

The BWR Unroad Expo will kick off the weekend on June 7, with the main event unfolding on June 8. Riders and spectators can look forward to:

Three Distances: Waffle (120 miles), Wafer (70 miles), and Wanna (35 miles).
Epic Sectors: Gravel roads, singletrack, water crossings, and more.
Top-Tier Amenities: Feed zones, Belgian waffles, Belgian ales, and finisher’s beer trophies.

Ready to join the chaos? Registration for BWR BC is now open. Visit the official website to secure your spot in this celebration of pain and pleasure.

Registration for BWR BC is now live at this link.

ABOUT PLATINUM RACING

Platinum Racing hosts a series of 15 endurance participation events across Western Canada offering breathtaking race experiences along with lasting bragging rights. To learn more, visit www.platinumracing.ca.

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BWR Canada welcomes athletes back to the Cowichan Valley in Duncan, B.C.

Hosting one of the most scenic and challenging courses in BWR history with a USD $3,000 prize purse, the BWR BC promises to lure a deep field of Canadian, American and world class road, gravel, cyclocross, and mountain bike racers from around the world looking to take on the uniquely beautiful and challenging terrain that only Vancouver Island can offer. The BWR is celebrating 14 years of pedaling perversity in 2025 and this international affair promises to provide professional and amateur cyclists alike the opportunity to ride the most coveted unroads of this spectacular venue, utilizing dozens of gravel and single-track sectors to connect the best roads of the area for a truly dynamic multi-surface race… the unique complexion of road and unroad dynamics that are hallmarks of the BWR offering.

a totem pole with a body of water in the background

A healthy confluence of glorious mountains, dedicated trail stewards and moderate climate has turned Cowichan into an incredible cycling destination. It’s extreme variety, from downhill daredevil descending to flowy cross-country trails, the area’s terrain is an incredible mix of roots, rocks, roads and unroads that lie beneath the thick west coast forest and the island’s arbutus charm, the likes of which combine into the perfect cocktail for BWR intoxication. And the community of Cowichan is overflowing with passionate locals who build and maintain trails, promote the region, and educate riders. These denizens can’t wait for us to see what they’ve curated for us.

The BWR, created as an extremely challenging race in the spirit of the great European one-day Spring Classics, is a truly unique series of races in North America.There will be three distances on offer in BC; the longer Waffle Ride, roughly 130-miles (210km), and the half-as-long Wafer Ride for those looking to get a taste of the glory without the full-time training commitment the full Waffle requires, and the taster, the Wanna Ride (half the Wafer).

This Third Annual BWR BC race, like other BWR’s in California, N. Carolina, Utah, Montana, Mexico, and Arizona, will have a field of professional riders and an expansive list of hungry amateur riders drawn to the unparalleled opportunity to race alongside their heroes. The Waffle will be offering a prize purse to the top three riders, both female and male! Racers and event patrons will be treated to Belgian waffles and ales, frites, and a variety of culinary delights, more waffles, and more beer on race weekend.

2025 RACE INFO

DATE: Expo - Saturday, June 7, 2025 Race - Sunday, June 8, 2025

LOCATION: Cowichan Exposition, Duncan, B.C., Canada

START TIME: Sunday, June 8 at 7:00 am

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 1000 participants, we recommend registering early to secure your spot

DISTANCES

WAFFLE +200KM (Level: Pro - Intermediate - Advanced - Gravel bike only)

WAFER +100KM (Level: Intermediate - Advanced - Gravel or Mtb bike)

WANNA +50KM (Level: Beginner - Intermediate - Gravel or Mtb bike)

CATEGORIES AND AGE GROUPS

Men, women and gender diverse in the following age groups:

Under 18 years

18 to 23 years

23 to 34 years

35 to 44 years

45 to 54 years

55 to 64 years

65 to 69 years

70+ years

E-Bike Category: Ride the WAFER and WANNA distances with a bit of help from your electric bike. Follow the normal registration process and choose the E-BIKE option in your category.

PRIZES

WAFFLE DISTANCE +200KM

Total cash prize of $3,000.00 USD

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 men and top 3 women overall finishers:

1st Place $750 USD + trophy

2nd Place $500 USD + trophy

3rd Place $250 USD + trophy

WAFER DISTANCE

Award medals will be presented to the top 3 male and top 3 female finishers in each category.

a logo with a lion head and a yellow red and blue stripe

THE BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE BRITISH COLUMBIAPRICING

WAFFLE +180KM CAD$259 until March 2 (USD$181)

WAFER +100KM CAD$259 until March 2 (USD $181)

WANNA +50KM CAD$149 until March 2 (USD $104)

Note: discounted pricing available for riders under the age of 18.

Expo Registration available with limited SWAG.

ONLINE REGISTRATION:https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=37158

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES

Commemorative Belgian Waffle Ride souvenir and BWR custom beer koozie for your finish line refreshments.
Coffee and Waffles before the race
Medical Service Stations during the ride and at the Finish Line
Support from Mechanical Service at the Expo, before the start, during the route, and after completing the ride
Water, Hammer gels and F2C Glyco-Durance Nutrition at aid stations.https://www.f2cnutrition.com/items/glyco-durance/
Sweep van at various points of the route equipped for your comfort
Finish line beer and light lunch.

Accommodations

Accommodation options will include an onsite RV / Van Life parking, Tent Camping / Bike Packing, Airbnb, and excellent hotel selections in Duncan, and nearby Nanaimo and Victoria, including Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, and the Villa Eyrie Resort.

RV/Camping

There is overnight camping available at Providence Farm our race venue starting Friday at 3:00pm. Note that there are no hookups available.

Lodging Information

Oceanfront Suites at Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay - Stay in beautiful Cowichan Bay with our host hotel partner! Special rates available for participants. Book by calling the front desk (toll free 1-800-663-7898), and ask to book under the "Belgian Waffle Ride" corporate rate. Participants can also book online using the instructions on the linked PDF.

a screenshot of a hotel registration form

Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn- Minutes from the race venue! Call to book using code "Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR25)" for 20% any room type for June 6-9, 2025.1-250-748-2722. Reservations booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Microtel Inn & Suites Oyster Bay Village - We are happy to extend 15% off rates for this exciting and – grueling – bike race! Click here to book:
www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/50992?corporate_id=9985554020

Villa Eyrie - One of the Top 10 hotels worldwide on Tripadvisor! Special rates available to participants using code BWR2025. Click here to book: https://www.villaeyrie.com

Additional Cowichan Valley accommodations can be found athttps://www.tourismcowichan.com/stay/

Accommodation in Victoria can be found at https://www.tourismvictoria.com/stay

BWR BC - June 7 - 8, 2025 - Update

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