Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona 2026

BW

From Belgian Waffle Ride

  • Date Fri 27th February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026
  • Location Cave Creek, Maricopa
  • Price $50.00 - $195.00
  • Races 15 races

Event summary

Get ready for an unforgettable cycling experience at the Fourth Annual Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona, taking place from February 27 to 28, 2026, in the stunning landscapes of Cave Creek, Maricopa. Organized by the renowned Belgian Waffle Ride team, this event kicks off the exciting Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel, promising a blend of breathtaking views and challenging terrain that will thrill cyclists of all levels.

Riders will tackle a diverse course that spans approximately 110 miles for the Waffle, showcasing the beauty of the Sonoran Desert through the riparian Salt River corridor, foothills of the McDowell Mountains, and picturesque singletrack in McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Expect a dynamic mix of gravel, sand, and climbs, culminating in steep paved finishes that will put your skills to the ultimate test. With over 300 days of sunshine, a vibrant cycling community, and a charming downtown perfect for families and supporters, the Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona is set to be a true celebration of cycling culture. Join us for this exhilarating event and experience why this ride is affectionately dubbed "The Hell of the North Desert!"

Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona 2026

Fri 27th February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026

A cyclist in a stars-and-stripes jersey rides a dirt trail on a sunny day, with large semi-transparent yellow, red, and blue "BW" letters overlaid across the image. Shrubs and clear sky are in the background. A cyclist in a red jersey and helmet rides swiftly along a dirt trail, with blurred terrain in the background. The image has text overlay: "BWR AZ 2025" and "Sofia Gomez Villafane - 2024 Winnaar. Cyclist on a gravel road, wearing a patterned jersey and helmet, rides through a desert landscape with cacti and distant hills. The image includes text: "KEEGAN SWENSON - 2024 WINNAAR" and a logo at the top right corner. Cyclists riding on a dirt path through a scenic desert landscape with mountains in the background. Text reads "Come see why this is such a popular event" with a logo in the lower left corner labeled "BWR AZ 2025. A desert landscape with tall cacti, green shrubs, and a sandy foreground under a clear blue sky. Sunlight peeks through the vegetation, casting shadows on the ground. A rocky formation is visible in the background.

Organiser's Description

Welkom to the first stop of the Belgian Waffle Ride Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel…

The Fourth Annual Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona is something we cannot wait to share with you. This year’s BWR AZ delivers the full Unroad spectacle—equal parts beauty, brutality, and irreverent fun—earning its rightful title:

The Hell of the North Desert.
As the kickoff to the Quad-Tripel Crown (followed by BWR CA, BWR UT, and BWR MT in Bozeman), this event brings together a dream desert destination, savage course design, and one of the most vibrant cycling communities in the country.

Below is a snapshot of what awaits…

🌞 1) A Dream Destination
Set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, BWR Arizona starts and finishes at Stagecoach Village in Cave Creek, on the fringes of North Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun. Riders will experience:
-Over 300 days of sunshine
-Picture-perfect desert foothills with panoramic views
-Dramatic sunsets, saguaro-lined corridors, and spring wildflowers
-A charming, culture-packed downtown ideal for families and supporters
-Perfect winter riding conditions for fast rolling and savage climbing

It’s breathtaking. It’s unforgiving. It’s everything a BWR opener should be.

🌵 2) Varied & Vicious Terrain
The 2026 course (approx. 110 miles for the Waffle) weaves through:
-The riparian Salt River corridor
-Foothills of the McDowell Mountains
-Tonto Forest mountains and washes
-Carefree’s pitchy ramps
-Rio Verde’s desert expanses
-Sinuous singletrack in McDowell Mountain Regional Park
-Fast, pristine Scottsdale tarmac linking gravel and Unroad sectors

Expect a dynamic concoction of terrain only the Sonoran Desert can provide—flowing singletrack, chunky Unroad, sand, rock, climbs, washes, and a finishing sequence of steep paved climbs touching 20%.

How do you say “Ouchie” in Flemish?
AUW!
(Kind of like… WTF!)

🚴 3) A Vibrant Cycling Community
Cave Creek and North Scottsdale are home to one of only 35 Gold-Level Bicycle-Friendly Communities in the U.S.
The region boasts:
-Endless designated bike lanes
-Desert and urban trails
-Local cycling teams & clubs
-An incredible network of bike shops
-Enthusiasts who live for Unroad adventure

This is a cycling culture as warm and electric as the desert sun.


📏 Last Year’s Course Highlights (2025)
(2026 will feature updated distance and routing, but this gives riders a sense of scale)
Waffle: 103 miles • ~7,500 ft • 58% Unroad
Wafer: 68.3 miles • ~4,000 ft • 53% Unroad
Wanna: 33.4 miles • ~3,500 ft • 25% Unroad

Races

  • Waffle (Long Route 100ish Miles)

    Hell of the North Desert

    $195.00

  • Waffle Junior 18 and Under (Long Route 100ish Miles)

    For Those Age 18 and Under as of Dec 31st 2025 the True "The Hell of the Desert" 103ish-Miles / 213-Kilometers~10,000 Feet of Climbing

    $50.00

  • Waffle Tandem (Long Route 100ish Miles)

    2 People- 1 Bike! The True "The Hell of the Desert" 130ish-Miles / 213-Kilometers~10,000 Feet of Climbing

    $100.00

  • WAFFLE MTB LENTZ IS MORE (Min 2.1 Tire, No Drop Bars)

    A Dedicated Category to Our Friend Kevin Lentz Who Was Born on March 26, 1983 and Passed Away on November 23, 2019 From a Vehicular Hit and Run. Kevin Was the Definition of a HARDMAN on a Bike.

    $195.00

  • Waffle Single Speed Masochists

    Waffle Distance- 1 Gear. Single-Speed Must Remain Unaltered for the Entire Event. No Gear-Changing Hubs or Multi-Cog Setups. Freewheel Only (No Fixed Gear).

    $195.00

  • Wafer (Medium Distance 70-80 Miles)

    70-Ish Miles / 115-Kilometers Automatically Qualifies for the "Duel in the Desert" if Registered Also for Cactus Cup.

    $195.00

  • Wafer Junior 18 and Under (Medium Distance 70-80 Miles)

    For Those Age 18 and Under as of Dec 31 70is-Miles / 115-Kilometers ~6,000 Feet of Climbing 7 Categorized Climbs

    $50.00

  • Wafer Tandem 2- People, 1 Bike (Medium Distance 70-80 Miles)

    2 People- 1 Bike 71.3-Miles / 115-Kilometers ~6,000 Feet of Climbing 7 Categorized Climbs

    $100.00

  • WAFER MTB LENTZ IS MORE (70-80 Miles - Min 2.2 Tire, No Drop Bars)

    A Dedicated Category to Our Friend Kevin Lentz Who Was Born on March 26, 1983 and Passed Away on November 23, 2019 From a Vehicular Hit and Run. Kevin Was the Definition of a HARDMAN on a Bike.

    $195.00

  • WAFER Single Speed Masochists (Medium Distance 70-80 Miles)

    WAFER Distance- 1 Gear. Single-Speed Must Remain Unaltered for the Entire Event. No Gear-Changing Hubs or Multi-Cog Setups. Freewheel Only (No Fixed Gear).

    $195.00

  • Wafer EBike (Medium Distance 70-80 Miles)

    Get Totally Charged About Riding 70-80 Miles With Just a Bit of Assistance. 71.3-Miles / 115-Kilometers ~6,000 Feet of Climbing

    $195.00

  • Wanna- Party on 2 Wheels (Short Route 30-40 Miles)

    Get Your Feet Wet With This Entry Level Distance 35ish-Miles / 62-Kilometers ~3.500 Feet of Climbing

    $90.00

  • Wanna Junior 18 and Under (Short Route 30-40 Miles)

    For Those 18 and Under Get Your Feet Wet With This Entry Level Distance 35ish-Miles / 62-Kilometers ~3.500 Feet of Climbing

    $50.00

  • Wanna Tandem (Short Route 30-40 Miles)

    2 People- 1 Bike 35ish-Miles / 62-Kilometers ~3.500 Feet of Climbing

    $90.00

  • Wanna EBike (Short Route 30-40 Miles)

    Get Your Feet Wet With This Entry Level Distance With Some Electric Assistance 35ish-Miles / 62-Kilometers ~3.500 Feet of Climbing 38.5-Miles / 62-Kilometers ~3.500 Feet of Climbing

    $90.00

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Location

7100 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331-4305, United States

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