belgianwaffleride

Fifth Annual Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona

March 5–6, 2027 | Sonoran Desert, Arizona

Hell of the North Desert

Welkom to the fifth annual Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona, our early-season appointment with the Sonoran Desert and its rather creative ways of making a bicycle ride difficult and fun at the same time. The Hell of the North Desert, also known as the Disneyland of gravel, returns March 5–6, 2027, bringing the BWR community together for a weekend of Unroad riding, waffles and well-earned celebration at McDowell Mountain Park.

The desert supplies the scenery. The course supplies the whoops, wonder, wallowing, and wickedness. Expect the Arizona character riders have come to know: open gravel, sandy washes, not-too-rocky terrain and twisting trails, with pavement connecting the sectors and giving your hands a brief chance to forgive you. It takes more than a big engine to ride this place well.

Choose the full Waffle, the middle-distance Wafer or the shorter Wanna. Each gives riders a different helping of the same desert experience, with enough changing terrain to keep bike choice, handling and pacing in the conversation.

Weekend experience

The weekend brings together rider check-in, the Unroad Expo, riding and the post-ride gathering. Meet the brands, catch up with your people, eat waffles and leave enough time for the stories afterward. The detailed 2027 program, venue and start times will be announced on the event page.

2026 Course Reference

Route

Distance

Elevation gain

Waffle

101 miles

6,770 ft

Wafer

67 miles

3,715 ft

Wanna

42 miles

2,172 ft

Final 2027 routes and venue will be announced separately.

Series status

The 2027 Quad-Tripel Crown calendar and competition format are still being finalized. Participating events, scoring and the number of results required will be announced separately. Utah will not be part of the Crown series because it will operate as a standalone UCI Gravel World Series qualifier. 

Fifth Annual BWR Arizona Rider Information

Rider perks

The BWR rider offering includes the following. Final category details and partner offers will appear in registration and the Race Bijbel.

• BWR musette bag from Neversecond with race-day essentials and sponsor swag
• BWR branded memento or BWR Bucks for use with participating partners
• Race number and RFID timing tag for the official finishing time
• Pre- and post-ride waffles, coffee and beverages
• Stocked feed zones with hydration and nutrition, including Neversecond
• Marked courses, traffic control at designated locations and on-course support
• Post-ride beer and the BWR community celebration
• Finisher’s trophy beer, with the offering determined by distance and event
• Unroad Expo access and opportunities to meet cycling brands and partners
• Bragging rights and more than enough material for the next group ride
• Podium recognition for the top three in each Waffle and Wafer age category and the top five overall, subject to final 2027 category rules

Official BWR t-shirts, apparel and branded gear will be available through registration and the BWR merchandise area at the expo.

BWR sponsors

We are grateful to the partners who help bring the Unroad to life: Neversecond, Capriroso, ALMSTHRE, The Lost Abbey, Athletic Brewing Co., Van Rysel Bikes, Unwaffle, UNDERBUDR, FORMULA 100, Bolt and Birdworx.

For your bike shop needs or shipping your bike to AZ please contact:

McDowell Mountain Cycles/Fountain Hills Bikes - 11879 N Saguaro Blvd | (480) 272-8741

Training and nutrition

Build your fueling plan before race day with Neversecond. Partner products and any event offers will be shared through the official BWR channels.

Connect with us

Website: https://belgianwaffleride.bike/

Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/belgian-waffle-ride-23866

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belgianwaffleride/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belgianwaffleride

YouTube Unroad UNLTD: https://www.youtube.com/c/UnroadUNLTD

EVENT REFUND POLICY

If event insurance was purchased you maybe be eligible for a full refund with a valid claim through the insurance provider through BikeReg. 
Full credit up until 3 months before event date.
50% credit up until 1 month before event date.
25% credit up until 1 week before event date.
All credits will expire at the end of the 2028 BWR event season.