Past editions
The format is the reason the series exists. A Belgian Waffle Ride mixes tarmac, gravel, sand and singletrack in the same event, so it is not really a road ride and not really a gravel race. Riders turn up on everything from a road bike with wide tyres to a hardtail, and the right answer changes by venue.
Distances vary by round rather than being standardised. San Diego runs the longest Waffle at over 130 miles and is the original event. Cedar City's Waffle is over 100 miles, and Kansas is set in kilometres at over 200 km, with a 100 km Wafer.
We rate San Diego at 3 out of 5 for difficulty and the other two at 2. The singletrack sections are what move the needle, not the distance.
Frequently asked questions
What bike should I ride at a Belgian Waffle Ride?
It depends on the round, and that is deliberate. The format mixes tarmac, gravel, sand and singletrack in one event, so riders turn up on everything from a road bike with wide tyres to a hardtail. The singletrack sections are what decide it.
Which Belgian Waffle Ride events run in 2026?
Three: San Diego on 19 April, Cedar City on 9 May and Kansas on 13 June. San Diego is the original and the longest, at over 130 miles.
What is the difference between the Waffle and the Wafer?
The Waffle is the full distance and the Wafer is the shorter option at each round. Distances are not standardised across rounds: Kansas is even set in kilometres, at over 200 km with a 100 km Wafer.