Grinduro is up there as one of GritCX’s favourite events. We love the relaxed vibes and fun racing that it packs into the weekend. The gravel enduro originated in California, before expanding across to Scotland and the Isle of Arran the last couple of years.
It’s clear that there is increased world wide demand for the Grinduro “maxin’ and relaxin'” recipe though, as it has announced two new location for 2019, in addition to the California and Scotland stalwarts. It’s also cool to hear that more brands seem to be jumping on board with this kind of racing.
The deets
Over to Grinduro:
Not only is Grinduro’s seminal gravel experience back for 2019, but it’s back in a big way with an expanded global roster of events scheduled for California, Scotland, Canada and Japan.
Founding sponsor Giro returns along with Fabric, while Maxxis and Rapha join as global sponsors. Each event will also feature a bike host brand, including Cannondale, Devinci and Canyon.
With new partnerships and fresh venues, Grinduro is set to become the premier gravel series. But remember: having a good time at the party is just as important as going fast in the race.
“I’ve been a fan of this event since the beginning,” said Nick Larsen, Cannondale’s Creative Director. “It’s exactly what cycling needs right now because it’s inclusive and values the experience as much as the competition. That spirit aligns perfectly with Cannondale, so we’re proud to be the host brand at Grinduro Quincy.”
The format
If you aren’t familiar with the Grinduro gravel-enduro format, this is what it entails:
Each event will feature Grinduro’s magic formula – a combination of gravel road race and mountain bike-style enduro: one long loop of pavement, gravel, and dirt, where finishing times are based on four timed segments (each roughly 7 – 12 minutes). As a testament to both the diverse riding skills required and the level of competition, past editions have been won by former professional downhill racers, pro road racers and current cyclocross pros. But Grinduro is not just a bike race. It’s a celebration of cycling with as much emphasis on the fun as on the ride, with excellent food, an impressive display of art and incredible handmade bikes, live music, camping, and a festival atmosphere.
Sponsors bringing something to the party
With a host brand at every venue, Grinduro says that we can expect to see unique details that add to the experience. Devinci, for example, is the host brand at Grinduro Canada. “Bringing the party to Canada, and beyond, is the next phase. We’re thrilled to be on board.” said David Régnier-Bourque, Devinci Marketing Director. “Grinduro is the kind of experience—full-tilt riding, camping, camaraderie, live music—that in our minds has a big future.”
Nick Allen, Canyon Market Manager UK/IE said “We’re hugely excited to come on board as host sponsor of Grinduro Scotland. Canyon leads the way in developing innovative gravel/adventure-specific bikes, and we look forward to connecting with the gravel community and having the opportunity to showcase our Grail platform at this epic event.”
The additions of Maxxis as the Global Tyre Sponsor and Rapha as the Global Apparel Sponsor are also new. As global sponsors, these brands will be active and involved at every event in the series. “The style of event and the type of riding associated with the Grinduro brand gels perfectly with Rapha’s ethos, where we’re committed to evolve the status quo of this sport we all love,” said Jake Rosenbloum, Rapha Marketing Director for North America. “Racing is being revolutionized with exploration, curiosity and fun at the core. We have Grinduro to thank in part for this progress and we are proudly committed to bringing the Grinduro experience to more cyclists around the world.” Keep an eye out for new product releases from each of these brands that will enhance the Grinduro rider’s experience.
We’ve already spotted that Rapha is planning some Grinduro versions of its “explore” range.
The dates
Grinduro is planned to run between July and October:
- Scotland: July 13, Isle of Arran, Scotland
- Canada: August 17, Saint-Urbain, Quebec, Canada
- California: September 28, Quincy, California
- Japan: October 2019