VERDICT Cedar City's altitude strips away your excuses while loose rock strips away your skin—Utah's answer to European suffering with American scenery.
A training plan for BWR Utah (Belgian Waffle Ride Utah)—shaped to your fitness and the hours you have.
Utah red rock adventure—188km of high-desert gravel, 1,811m elevation, June heat, waffles.
BWR Utah founded ~2021. Cedar City, UT. 188 km, 500-800 riders. BWR series. Utah red rock high desert. Founded in ~2021. By Belgian Waffle Ride series.
Reputation: BWR series. Utah red rock. Technical climbs. Well-organized. Waffles at finish.
Photo: YouTube / Goettl Media
Photo: YouTube / Goettl Media188 km, 1,811 m. 70% gravel, 30% paved. Utah red rock—high desert, technical sections. Technical rating: 4/5.
Signature challenge: 188 km + 1,811 m elevation + June heat (20-32°C). Utah red rock.
I've Raced BWR in California, Arizona, and Kansas, but Utah takes the front page in my book as the most technical course of all the BWR's, and of any gravel race I've competed in! This year they decided to spice it up a little bit more with some single track - probably the most technical single track I have ridden in BWR.
Goettl Media · 43.8K views
The inaugural edition of 2020 was the first big gravel race I'd taken on, and it lit the fire in me to pursue this crazy kind of racing. 2025 was our 5th year competing here and we came here on a mission - it is rare that things go according to your best possible plan.
Goettl Media · 25.1K views
Pancakes for breakfast and 100% pure maple syrup is the key ingredient there.
Goettl Media · 43.8K views
I've got a 42mm tire on here to keep things nice and safe and hopefully no issues. I'd rather be safe than sorry and hopefully let my legs make up for the width.
Pure Gravel · 6.2K views
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Historical weather data shows average highs of 73°F and lows of 47°F, with a 15% chance of rain on any given day. 2025 conditions started with "cool morning air around the low 50s" before temperatures "crept toward the 80s" as riders battled "sun and dry desert air." Persistent headwinds from mile 42-97 determine finishing rates, while Joe Goettl benefited from "a ripping tailwind" during his solo breakaway to victory. Milder conditions than Crusher in the Tushar.[1]
Joe Goettl's five-year progression from 9th to winner shows the race draws committed returners, but Cedar City remains a drive from Salt Lake City with limited small-town lodging. His wife Kendra could staff every aid station, suggesting manageable logistics for crew support, though the remote location adds travel complexity without major hub convenience.[5]
The mile 52 singletrack section features "jump features" that one rider called "too much sanding it—bumpy out there." Course variety includes seven miles through a mountain bike park with "bridges and fun terrain stuff," followed by "the full motocross course" before returning to gravel roads across red hills and high desert terrain.[9]
Part of the BWR Series Quad-Tripel Crown where your top 3 finishes out of 4 races count - that's real series credibility. Six years deep and they're still tweaking courses, dropping all-new routes for 2026 that promise to separate the committed from the curious. The BWR brand carries weight in gravel circles, even if Utah doesn't have the household name recognition of some other stops.[1]
Show up if you can handle bike handling at 6,000 feet where thin air meets technical terrain. The 92% unroad isn't just marketing speak—it's sand, rock, and singletrack that punishes hesitant front wheels and rewards desert racing experience. Skip it if you think gravel means smooth fire roads or you've never raced above 4,000 feet.
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.