HomeGravel Races › BWR Montana vs Trans Am Bike Race

BWR Montana vs Trans Am Bike Race

77
BWR Montana
Bozeman, Montana · June
Tier 2 — Contender

Montana Rockies adventure—AKA 'Hell of the Bozone': mountain gravel around Bozeman, waffles at the finish.

VS
90
Trans Am Bike Race
Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia · June
Tier 1 — Elite

4,200 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The longest road ultra-race on earth. Self-supported across 10 states. Ame

Course Radar Comparison

LEN TECH ELEV CLIM ALT LOG ADV BWR Montana: LEN:4 / TECH:4 / ELEV:4 / CLIM:2 / ALT:2 / LOG:4 / ADV:5 Trans Am Bike Race: LEN:5 / TECH:2 / ELEV:5 / CLIM:5 / ALT:4 / LOG:5 / ADV:5 BWR Montana Trans Am Bike Race

Distance & Elevation

Distance
115 mi
4,233 mi
Elevation
8,000 ft
175,000 ft

14-Dimension Breakdown

BWR Montana Trans Am Bike Race
COURSE PROFILE
Length
Technicality
Elevation
Climate
Altitude
Logistics
Adventure
EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT
Prestige
Race Quality
Experience
Community
Field Depth
Value
Expenses

The Verdict

Trans Am Bike Race scores 13 points higher overall (90 vs 77), but the right choice depends on what you value most.

Choose BWR Montana if...

"The Belgian Waffle Ride that actually lives up to its Belgian difficulty rating, where Montana's mountains separate the climbers from the pretenders."

  • You prefer more technical terrain
  • Top-tier organization and race production are priorities

Choose Trans Am Bike Race if...

"The longest self-supported bike race on earth—4,200+ miles from Pacific to Atlantic, crossing 10 states, no support crews, pure transcontinental adventure."

  • You want more extreme weather conditions
  • You thrive at high altitude
  • You want the best value for your entry fee
  • You want a longer race (higher distance rating)
  • You want more climbing

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder, BWR Montana or Trans Am Bike Race?

Trans Am Bike Race rates as the more demanding race based on our composite difficulty score (averaging length, technicality, elevation, climate, and altitude ratings). If you're looking for the bigger challenge, go with Trans Am Bike Race. If you want a more accessible race, BWR Montana is the better pick.

Is BWR Montana or Trans Am Bike Race rated higher?

Trans Am Bike Race scores 90/100 compared to 77/100 in our 15-dimension Gravel God Rating. The overall score reflects course profile, prestige, race quality, community, and value.

Which is better for beginners, BWR Montana or Trans Am Bike Race?

Trans Am Bike Race is generally more accessible for first-time gravel racers, factoring in distance, technicality, and logistical ease. Check each race's full profile for distance options and beginner-specific advice.

When are BWR Montana and Trans Am Bike Race held?

Both races take place in June, which means you may need to choose between them. Check the official race websites for exact 2026 dates.

Where are BWR Montana and Trans Am Bike Race located?

BWR Montana is held in Bozeman, Montana. Trans Am Bike Race is held in Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia. Consider travel logistics, especially if you're flying in — check our full race profiles for airport and lodging details.

Still Deciding?

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