Home › Gravel Races › Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego vs Crusher in the Tushar

Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego vs Crusher in the Tushar

79
Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego
Del Mar, California · April
Tier 1 — Elite

The OG American Spring Classic. 130 miles of kasseien-crushing brutality where 1 in 3 riders DNF, and the survivors earn

VS
89
Crusher in the Tushar
Beaver, Utah · July
Tier 1 — Elite

The toughest 70 miles on the planet. 10,000ft of climbing. Finish at 10,400ft elevation.

Course Radar Comparison

LEN TECH ELEV CLIM ALT LOG ADV Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego: LEN:4 / TECH:4 / ELEV:5 / CLIM:2 / ALT:2 / LOG:2 / ADV:5 Crusher in the Tushar: LEN:3 / TECH:4 / ELEV:5 / CLIM:4 / ALT:5 / LOG:3 / ADV:5 Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego Crusher in the Tushar

Distance & Elevation

Distance
106 mi
70 mi
Elevation
7,500 ft
10,000 ft

14-Dimension Breakdown

Belgian Waffle Ride Sa Crusher in the Tushar
COURSE PROFILE
Length
Technicality
Elevation
Climate
Altitude
Logistics
Adventure
EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT
Prestige
Race Quality
Experience
Community
Field Depth
Value
Expenses

The Verdict

Crusher in the Tushar scores 10 points higher overall (89 vs 79), but the right choice depends on what you value most.

Choose Belgian Waffle Ride Sa if...

"Belgian suffering translated to sunny San Diego, where Double Peak turns roadies into believers and flatlanders into casualties."

  • You want a longer race (higher distance rating)
  • Top-tier organization and race production are priorities

Choose Crusher in the Tushar if...

"The climber's gravel race—where thin air separates pretenders from contenders."

  • You thrive at high altitude
  • You want more extreme weather conditions
  • You prefer a more remote, logistically challenging event
  • You're on a tighter travel budget

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder, Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego or Crusher in the Tushar?

Crusher in the Tushar 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 Crusher in the Tushar. If you want a more accessible race, Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego is the better pick.

Is Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego or Crusher in the Tushar rated higher?

Crusher in the Tushar scores 89/100 compared to 79/100 in our 15-dimension Gravel God Rating. The overall score reflects course profile, prestige, race quality, community, and value.

Which is better for beginners, Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego or Crusher in the Tushar?

Crusher in the Tushar 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 Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and Crusher in the Tushar held?

Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego takes place in April and Crusher in the Tushar in July. If your calendar allows, you could race both in the same season.

Where are Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and Crusher in the Tushar located?

Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego is held in Del Mar, California. Crusher in the Tushar is held in Beaver, Utah. Consider travel logistics, especially if you're flying in — check our full race profiles for airport and lodging details.

Still Deciding?

Get a personalized training plan for either race — tailored to your fitness, schedule, and goals.

$15/week, capped at $249. One-time payment.