BWR Montana will host the 2027 WUCA North American Gravel Ultra-Distance Championships in Bozeman, September 17–18, with a new addition to the menu: the Brussels Waffle.
The Hell of the Bozone has earned a promotion, and we’re celebrating by serving a bigger waffle.
The World UltraCycling Association (WUCA) has selected Belgian Waffle Ride Montana to host the 2027 WUCA North American Gravel Ultra-Distance Championships, bringing an approximately 200-mile championship race to our third annual gathering in Big Sky Country. With continental titles, champion jerseys and a considerable amount of Montana between the start and finish, this calls for something beyond our usual helping.
Meet the Brussels Waffle, named for Belgium’s biggest waffle and destined to become our biggest day on the bike. A Flemish portion with Montana proportions. We suggest arriving hungry.
Join us September 17–18, 2027, in Bozeman for a weekend of Unroad adventure, waffles, Belgian ale and the peculiar pleasure of doing something difficult with people who understand why you would.
A Bigger Helping of the Bozone
Montana offers an abundance of things we find irresistible: rolling ranchlands, gravel climbs, sweeping valleys and backcountry terrain that can make you feel very fortunate and very small in the same pedal stroke.
Our courses stitch together gravel, dirt, pavement and whatever else makes the journey worth taking. Fast stretches encourage questionable confidence. Rougher sectors provide timely corrections. The scenery is generous, even when the course is considerably less accommodating.
The Brussels Waffle will ask riders to manage their effort, equipment, fueling and the occasional negotiation with themselves over approximately 200 miles. For perspective, the 2026 Montana Waffle covered 106 miles with approximately 7,500 feet of climbing. This next helping deserves some preparation, perhaps beginning with a long and affectionate relationship with your saddle.
Final 2027 routes and elevation profiles will be announced as course development is completed. Expect a championship challenge that rewards strength, skill, strategy and the good sense to eat before you become convinced that everyone around you is the problem.
A Jersey Worth the Journey
WUCA’s championship program recognizes overall champions and age-group winners, giving riders across generations an opportunity to compete for continental honors.
At BWR Montana, North American championship titles and custom WUCA champion jerseys will be awarded to the overall male and female winners, as well as the male and female winners in each designated age group:
- Under 18
- 18–49
- 50–59
- 60–69
- 70–74
- 75–79
- 80+
That means opportunities to return home with a continental title, a champion’s jersey and enough well-earned bragging rights to sustain several subsequent group rides. We trust you’ll exercise appropriate restraint, although we certainly wouldn’t.
Final age-group eligibility, minimum-age requirements for the Brussels Waffle, membership requirements and award details will be confirmed in the official championship rules.
You can explore WUCA’s wider world of championships, records and ultra-distance challenges at ultracycling.com.
Waffle, Wafer, Wanna—and Now Brussels
We’ll still have the Waffle, Wafer and Wanna rides, giving riders a choice of adventures suited to their ambitions and appetites. The Brussels Waffle adds an ultra-distance option to a weekend with plenty of ways to experience Montana.
Come to chase the front group, explore unfamiliar terrain or finish the damn thing. Bring friends, family and that riding partner who keeps saying, “We should do something big next year.” We’ve provided the destination and several interpretations of “big.” You can forward them this and let the negotiations begin.
The Unroad Expo and post-ride gathering will bring everyone together for the other essential disciplines: eating, drinking and explaining how much faster you would have been under a highly specific set of circumstances. Whether your day ends with a championship jersey or the satisfaction of doing something you weren’t entirely sure you could, we’ll be there to celebrate it.
Your Place at the Table
After more than 40 BWR events, we still love watching a peculiar idea become somebody’s unforgettable day on the bike. Hosting the 2027 WUCA North American Gravel Ultra-Distance Championships gives us another reason to gather in Montana and a substantial new adventure to share.
The Brussels Waffle may be the biggest serving, but every distance comes with the ingredients that brought us here: demanding terrain, beautiful surroundings, good people and a happy disrespect for the usual.
Registration for BWR Montana is open. Join us in Bozeman, September 17–18, 2027, and choose your helping.
Find BWR Montana event details and registration here.