belgianwaffleride

Welkom to the second stop of the Belgian Waffle Ride Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel Series — the 15th Annual BWR California, known as the Hell of the North (County…

The 2026 Belgian Waffle Ride California returns to the coast for a spectacular weekend at the Del Mar Polo Fields at Surf Sports Park, where rolling tarmac meets raw terrain in the Hell of the North (County).

Following the season opener in Arizona, BWR CA carries the heaviest weight of the four events that make up the Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel, before the series heads to Utah and Montana.

This year’s BWR CA will once again push limits, fuel community, and celebrate the beautiful suffering that defines the unroad spirit.

The BWR Festival 2026: The Unroad Cycling Bash in Southern California

From May 2–3, the Belgian Waffle Ride Festival will transform the Del Mar Polo Fields into a sprawling playground for endurance enthusiasts, families, and fans. With live music, beer, food, and over 65 exhibitors, this is the hub of cycling culture on the West Coast.

It’s not just a race—it’s a weekend-long celebration of the endurance lifestyle, a gathering of adventurers, dreamers, and gravel-grinders who all share one thing: a happy disrespect for the usual.

Day 1: Saturday, May 2, 2026 – The Gran Roadie-Oh & Unroad Expo

Saturday sets the stage with The Gran Roadie-Oh, a Gran Fondo-style road ride for cyclists of all levels. Riders can choose from multiple distances to suit their appetite for speed, scenery, and suffering:

• 100-mile Century – A full-gas coastal classic for those chasing glory
• 100 km Metric Century – A challenging route blending beauty and bite
• 50 km Fun Ride – A spirited spin with plenty of camaraderie

Feeling ambitious? Take on the Dubbel Header Challenge—ride the Roadie-Oh on Saturday and the BWR on Sunday to earn true Belgian bragging rights.

Meanwhile, the Unroad Expo will be in full swing at Surf Sports Park, featuring brands, artisans, and partners offering the latest in bikes, gear, and lifestyle. Enjoy the food court, local brews, live music, and a vibrant community atmosphere as you prepare for the main event.

Day 2: Sunday, May 3, 2026 – The 15th Annual Belgian Waffle Ride

Sunday brings the main event—the fifteenth running of the Belgian Waffle Ride California. The original unroad race that started it all returns with a brand-new coastal course mixing smooth tarmac, gnarly gravel, sandy sectors, and steep climbs.

Whether you take on the Waffle, Wafer, or Wanna, you’ll be part of one of the most storied and spirited cycling events in the world—where world-class pros and weekend warriors line up side by side to suffer gloriously under the Southern California sun.

At the finish, cold beer, hot waffles, and cheering fans await—all part of the grand BWR tradition of celebration and shared endurance.

New Course: This year we will remove the pinch places that caught some riders off guard and make sure the flow of the course doesn’t get impeded! 

Last Year’s Course Highlights (this year will be different):

Waffle – 106.5-Miles/172-Kilometers 

~7,500 Feet of Climbing

25 Unroad sectors with Flemish names

40% Unroad

7 feed zones

Wafer – 60-Miles/97-Kilometers 

~3,750 Feet of Climbing

16 Unroad sectors

59% Unroad

Five feed zones

Wanna – 32.7-Miles/53-Kilometers 

~2,500 Feet of Climbing

3 Unroad sectors

32% Unroad

2 feed zones

Introducing the 2026 Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel

The Quad-Tripel Crown is a four-part test of endurance, grit, and good humor—spanning Arizona, California, Utah, and Montana. Riders must complete at least three of the four to earn the coveted Crown title.

2026 Series Dates:

• Arizona: February 27–28
• California: May 2–3
• Utah: June 12–13
• Montana: June 19–20

Rider Perks:

Every rider will receive a BWR musette bag from Neversecond that contains essential race-day items and special swag:

·       Sponsor Swag

·       BWR Bucks for use with MUMU, Almsthre, QEJA Socks & Neversecond or a BWR Branded memento

·       Race Number and RFID Tag (for official finishing time)

·       Pre- and Post-Race Waffles, Coffee & Beverages

·       Beer

·       Finisher’s Trophy Beer

·       Bragging Rights

·       Podium Recognition for the Top 3 in each age category for Waffle & Wafer, and Top 5 Overall

The category races with the race – Q/KOM, Q/KOD, Q/KOS are not open to the elite field. Amateurs will be vying to win these jerseys.

T-shirts and BWR branded gear are available at registration and at the Mumu booth at the expo.

To learn more, visit https://belgianwaffleride.bike

Connect with Us!

• Strava: BWR STRAVA
• Instagram: BWR IG
• Facebook: BWR Facebook
• YouTube: Unroad UNLTD

PRO TIP: The best thing you can do to protect your entry fee is buy the insurance. Click here: EVENT INSURANCE INFO

Training and Nutrition

• For nutrition, swing by Neversecond.
• Exclusive Deal: Get $25 off your Neversecond BWR race pack. Fuel up whether you’re chasing a PR, a podium, or the Quad-Tripel Crown!