Grinduro Comes To The UK

With great fanfare (and a bottle of whisky in a box…) we’ve just heard that Grinduro has announced a UK running of its fabulous event format.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Grinduro event, it’s something of a legendary event in the US. Chipps describes it as ‘An event you can take any bike to, and it’ll be the perfect bike for about 5% of the course, the worst bike possible for about 5% and pretty great for the rest’. Mixing in a bit of everything, last year’s US event was won by Duncan Riffle on a drop bar Santa Cruz Stigmata, but 29er hardtail would have been just as fun, as Vet60 winner, Scot Nicol from Ibis proved. Chipps rode round on a borrowed Cannondale Slate with lefty fork and Bruce Gordon Rock and Road tyres. He’s pleased to report he did manage to overtake the guy on a full-sus fat bike.

There might not be as much dust on Arran

Adam Craig, with singlespeed and spare chainring on top tube.

Arran *might* look like this

Chipps’ borrowed bike

Now this is the kind of press release we like best. To announce the race coming to the UK, we’ve been sent a box. What’s inside…?

What’s inside?

Gloves and cap from Giro. In Chipps’ favourite colour. And with Grinduro branding. We like.

Chipps relives his bike courier days

Also in the box, Arran Malt Whisky. Win! Well, we’re pretty sure Mark isn’t going to win Grinduro. But for now he is very happy.

Mark thinks he got the better end of the deal.

Yes! This box of delights is to announce that Grinduro is coming to the UK, more specifically, the Isle of Arran in Scotland.

That’s a mean looking hill.

All this fun is now coming to the UK thanks to Paul Errington, who is also organiser of the Dirty Reiver, the gravel event which launched last year to great acclaim. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates on when entries will open for Grinduro UK.

It’s a festival as much as a race.

Mmm…food

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

Comments (6)

chris dunnchris dunn January 27, 2017 at 8:52 pm

Any details ? Distance and terrain or is it a secret to surprise on the day

Hannah DobsonHannah Dobson January 28, 2017 at 6:35 am

@kojak the date is all we have so far, they’re still working on and finalising the route. We’ll let everyone know when we hear any more details.

ChippsChipps January 28, 2017 at 8:59 pm

Going off the US event, that was 100km long, with four timed sections: a fire road climb, a longer fire road descent, a rolling road time trial and a mountain bike-worthy singletrack descent.

As we say, ‘What bike would you choose?’ because they’ll all be just right and just wrong for some of it.

duncanicookduncanicook January 29, 2017 at 10:12 am

Looks a similar set up to last years Fenenduro.

duncanicookduncanicook January 29, 2017 at 10:12 am

Sorry Fenduro (???!!)

jimmyjimmy January 30, 2017 at 2:43 pm

Midgeduro?