Updated January 12, 2025

The Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR) Montana, known as "The Hell of the Bozone," is set to launch in Bozeman in June 2025, adding a rugged, breathtaking new location to the iconic BWR Series. Scheduled for the last week of June, the event will welcome cyclists to Montana’s wild and scenic backcountry, showcasing a unique blend of challenging gravel paths, single-track trails, and off-road sectors, all amid the picturesque Rocky Mountains and Bozeman’s renowned gravel network.

Bozeman’s mild June climate and vast stretches of unpaved paths, rivers, and plains make it a prime setting for the "unroad" adventure the BWR Series is celebrated for. Participants can anticipate courses designed with a meticulous balance of "rippable" terrain—gravel, sand, mud, water crossings, and technical climbs—requiring both stamina and skill. As always, BWR events include three main course options: the full "Waffle," an intermediate "Wafer," and the shorter "Wanna Ride," allowing a wide range of riders to partake in the experience. In addition to the varied terrain, riders will find frequent Feed Zones stocked with Belgian waffles and other snacks, alongside energetic volunteers providing support every 20 miles.​

BWR Montana is also the finale for the 2025 Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel Series, a new competition awarding top honors to riders who compete in three of the four selected BWR events. This format gives competitors in Arizona, California, Utah, and now Montana a chance to battle it out over different terrains, climates, and elevations across North America.

The Bozeman BWR experience will be enhanced by the city’s vibrant outdoor community, excellent dining options, and local accommodations, ensuring riders have a full Montana adventure. Alongside their race number, RFID tag, and BWR swag bag, participants will enjoy pre- and post-race waffles, coffee, and a celebratory beer, with commemorative gear available at the event.​

Belgian Waffle Ride Series

BWR Montana is part of the 2025 Belgian Waffle Ride Series, a North American series offering some of the world's most highly respected and well-organized gravel events/races.  The idea of the Series was conceived initially with the advent of “the most unique cycling event in the country,” the Belgian Waffle Ride California (Del Mar). BWR California is well known among cycling enthusiasts and pros as one of the most challenging bicycle races in the US at 146 miles and 40 off-road sectors.

BWR events are unique because they are classic, long bicycle races that feature various off-road sectors emulating the pave or cobblestones of Europe, making the varied terrain a challenge for riders’ technical skills, equipment, endurance, luck, and versatility. While none of the events intentionally feature mountains, they utilize a never-ending collection of punchy climbs that take a sinister toll on riders’ physical and mental well-being… These are not races set up for freeloading sprinters or frail climbers. They are designed to challenge riders of all stripes and sizes in demented and glorious ways. Therein lies the allure of the Monuments of Cycling: extreme challenges that require months or years of training, the right equipment, tenacity, and karma.

Each BWR venue showcases a challenging ‘unroad’ multi-surface course that takes advantage of each beautiful location's unique topography.  Each route is uniquely designed to include a multitude of technically challenging sectors. Waffle courses range from 120-144 miles, Wafer courses between roughly 68-84 miles, and Wanna Rides, typically around 40 miles. Elevation gain will range from 6,500 feet to 14,000 feet for the various Waffle courses.  The current roster of BWR events in 2024 includes BWR AZ (March), BWR CA (April), BWR UT (May), BWR Montana (June), BWR BC (September), BWR NC (October), BWR Mexico (November).  Monuments has also announced plans for a new event in Monterey in the Summer of 2025.

The Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel Series

The Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel Series is a special competition within the full Belgian Waffle Ride Series lineup involving participation in BWR Arizona, BWR California, BWR Utah,  and the inaugural BWR Montana.   It has been created to allow both professional and amateur riders to compete in four very different environments over a short period, offering the perfect blend of recovery and fitness gains for the early-season competition. The 2025 Tripel Crown will be contested for both Waffle and Wafer distances at BWR AZ (March), BWR CA (April), BWR UT (May), and BWR Montana (June).  The competition will be a points-based omnium format for professionals and age-group riders. Riders competing for the Tripel Crown honors and prize purse (for pros only) will be scored based on the points achieved over the three races. The BWR CA will carry extra weighted points.  There will be prize purses and prizes for the Male, Female, and Gender Diverse categories.

BWR Montana Event Info

Details of this inaugural event are forthcoming, but Monuments of Cycling designs courses that are fast yet technically diverse this year.  Events kick off Friday with a pre-race party and Saturday with the BWR Unroad Expo, teeming with live music, a beer garden, ample waffles, and the festive spirit.  You can also expect pre-rides and a comprehensive rider briefing. Sunday, race day, starts bright and early at 5 am with waffles and coffee to fuel the riders. By 7 am, the riders set off, with the first expected finisher zooming in around 1 pm. However, the course remains open until 7 pm, giving everyone a fair chance to complete the ride and claim their bragging rights. Post-race celebrations include revealing the winner of the Canyon Bike /OpiCure bike giveaway and loads of Rouleur's signature Badass Ale. Also, equal prize money is awarded across three categories (M/W/Gender Diverse), with the top three (or, in some races, the top five) from each category receiving prize money.

Monuments of Cycling is investing in new ways to ensure rider support in nutrition and hydration and is partnered with the global leader in performance nutrition, Neversecond.  In addition to diverse, well-marked routes, participants will find abundant traffic control personnel, police, and official vehicle escorts on the course. Additionally, each location will be hosted by a legion of like-minded volunteers who come together to showcase the hospitality of their communities. Throughout the ride, cyclists can find solace in the well-stocked aid stations every 20 miles.

BWR events are also known for great SWAG.  All participants receive the following:

• BWR swag bag that contains many important items
• Race Number and RFID Tag (for official finishing time)
• BWR Bad Ass Ale (trophy)
• BWR Branded Item
• Neversecond Performance Nutrition Solutions
• Waffles
• Beer
• Fully marked course with traffic control
• Stocked aid stations
• Bragging rights

About Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman, Montana, is a premier destination for outdoor adventurers, offering a perfect blend of rugged mountain terrain and vibrant small-town charm. Surrounded by the Bridger, Gallatin, and Madison mountain ranges, Bozeman is a cyclist's paradise with extensive road routes and thrilling mountain bike trails.

On the Bike:

• Bangtail Divide Trail: A must-ride for mountain bikers, this 24-mile trail offers challenging climbs and exhilarating descents with panoramic views.
• Gallatin Canyon Road Ride: Road cyclists can enjoy scenic rides along Gallatin Canyon, with rolling terrain and river views.
• Crosscut Mountain Sports Center: Year-round access to singletrack trails, perfect for both beginner and advanced riders.

Off the Bike:

• Hyalite Canyon: Ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and fishing in pristine alpine lakes.
• Yellowstone National Park: Just a 90-minute drive away, perfect for a post-event day trip.
• Downtown Bozeman: Explore local breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and outdoor gear shops.
• Museum of the Rockies: Offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's natural and cultural history.

Bozeman combines epic cycling adventures with rich cultural experiences, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore both on and off the bike.