The final timed segment of Grinduro was a 3.5-mile singletrack descent on Mount Hough Trail. Photo by Dain Zaffke

The final timed segment of Grinduro was a 3.5-mile singletrack descent on Mount Hough Trail (click to enlarge). Photo by Dain Zaffke​

I haven't had much fun with drop bars in the past decade, because in that time, the progression of technology has made riding mountain bikes so much more fun. But in the last couple years, some of that technology has trickled over to road and cyclocross bikes. Hydraulic disc brakes and tubeless tires are among the most significant improvements that make riding drop bar bikes more fun.

So when the inaugural Grinduro was announced last spring, my interest was immediately piqued. I am a huge fan of the enduro racing format where participants can get both their social and competitive desires met. And putting that format into a gravel grinder setting seemed like a no-brainer. Grinduro would be the very first event of its kind.

Mountains surrounding Quincy, Calif. played a perfect host for the inaugural Grinduro. Photo by David Smith - @dustybermshot

The mountains surrounding Quincy, California were the perfect host for the inaugural Grinduro (click to enlarge). Photo by David Smith/@dustybermshot​

When longtime writer and former pro road and MTB racer Joe Parkin approached Dain Zaffke of Giro Sport Design with the idea of a Grinduro event, they immediately started scouting potential international locations. But according to Zaffke there was really only one place for the inaugural Grinduro - the Lost Sierra. Home to legendary terrain like Downieville and newer discoveries such as Mills Peak Trail in Graeagle, the Lost Sierra region of California is a hidden gem of riding for mountain, 'cross and road bikes.

Greg Williams of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship worked with Giro Sport Design to pull off yet another world-class event. Photo by Dain Zaffke

Greg Williams of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship worked with Giro to pull off yet another world-class event (click to enlarge). Photo by Dain Zaffke​

When Zaffke approached the mastermind behind the Downieville Classic and the Lost & Found Gravel Grinder - Greg Williams of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship - about holding Grinduro in Graeagle, Williams had an even better suggestion: Quincy. Depending on who you ask, Quincy, California, is known for one of three things: nothing, logging, or the High Sierra Music Festival. However, Quincy has a fourth thing it will soon be known for - more than 50 miles of world-class singletrack courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service-Mount Hough District, which is serious about helping foster an outdoor recreation destination.


Completed only six months ago by the Stewardship, Mount Hough Trail is a masterpiece 11-mile, 3,800 vertical foot singletrack descent where speeds can reach 40 miles-an-hour (on a mountain bike, naturally). Thanks to Grinduro, "Shuttle Dropper Cross" is now a thing: when you put your dropper post-equipped cyclocross bike on the roof of a shuttle van, jump inside and get driven to the top of Mount Hough Trail. Unlike the rocky rowdiness of nearby Downieville and the Lakes Basin region, Mount Hough is smooth enough to be ridden by all skill levels - even on cyclocross bikes. As proof, the final timed segment in Grinduro was the last 3.5 miles of singletrack down Mount Hough Trail. Just make sure to carry two inner tubes and a patch kit.

The author rode an Ibis Hakkalügi with a dropper post and tubeless WTB 40c front, 35c rear tires to a 2nd place Men's 35+ finish.

The author rode an Ibis Hakkalügi cyclocross bike with a dropper post and tubeless WTB 40c front, 35c rear tires to a 2nd place Men's 35+ finish (click to enlarge).​

After pre-riding the final segment down Hough on my Ibis Hakkalügi, I immediately questioned why I didn't bring a lightweight rigid mountain bike. Zaffke reassured me that the other three timed Grinduro segments were far more cyclocross friendly. Segment 1 was a grueling one-mile fire road climb. Segment 2 was a ripping 6.5-mile dirt road descent with speeds approaching 50 miles-an-hour. And Segment 3 was a six-mile rolling road segment that gave a significant advantage to cyclocross bikes.

Continue to page 2 for more from the first annual Grinduro »



Flat tires were the theme of the day for some riders. Good tires and adequate pressure were critical. Photo by Jordan Haggard

Flat tires were the theme of the day for some riders. Durable tires and adequate pressure were critical (click to enlarge). Photo by Jordan Haggard​

As a result, there was some serious strategy that had to be played if you were gunning for a podium finish at Grinduro. First, you had to have good tires. I ran a WTB 40c Nano Raptors and 35c Cross Boss with no flats and a second place overall finish in the Men's 35+ category. But many others weren't so lucky. Although there were no serious injuries at Grinduro, there were dozens of flat tires, particularly on the final timed segment off Hough.

The third timed segment was six miles of road, those who played strategy right teamed up with others to time trial it. Photo by Jordan Haggard

The third timed segment was six miles of road, those who played strategy right teamed up with others to time trial it (click to enlarge). Photo by Jordan Haggard​

Another critical strategy was on the third timed segment, which was pavement. Because there are no rules against drafting, having a group to work with here was critical. I made sure to surround myself with a gaggle of hammers, including Kenny Burt, Duncan Riffle, Barry Wicks, Jason Moeschler and Justin Robinson. Although I almost got popped off the brutally fast paceline twice, I managed to hold on, giving me a minute faster time than the next fastest rider in my class who wasn't in our group.

Aside from the hypoxia of the timed segments, the rest of the 60-mile ride was glorious, rolling through healthy pine forests and lush alpine valleys with absolutely zero traffic. Even the dreaded China Grade climb after our catered gourmet lunch stop in idyllic Taylorsville wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Although rather steep, at least the climb was on smooth dirt road with plenty of tree cover the whole way.

Legendary bassist Mike Watt and his Missingmen headlined a night of live music. Photo by Dain Zaffke

Legendary bassist Mike Watt and his Missingmen headlined a night of live music (click to enlarge). Photo by Dain Zaffke​

After arriving back at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, reveling over a day that was, refueling on a dinner by renown chef Chris DiMinno and ogling handmade bikes and artistry, we took in live musical performances from Ray Barbee and Mike Watt + Missingmen, with DJ Koop spinning late into the night.

Those who appreciate fine art and handmade bikes had plenty of mesmerizing moments at Grinduro. Photo by Jordan Haggard

Those who appreciate fine art and handmade bikes had plenty of mesmerizing moments at Grinduro (click to enlarge). Photo by Jordan Haggard​

Zaffke ended up being right, as almost every category winner of the inaugural Grinduro piloted a cyclocross bike. Next year I might try a rigid mountain bike with 1.8-inch tires and a 50t big ring. I'm just more comfortable with flat bars on trail as opposed to drop bars. And bigger tires would have made descending Mount Hough significantly faster and less precarious. But the precariousness of the final descent was part of what made Grinduro so fun. Surviving that course on a cyclocross bike without a single flat tire or crash is an accomplishment in and of itself. But word on the street is that next year's course will be different, so all bets are off on which bike will be optimal.

The vibe off the bike at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds was both inviting and relaxing. Photo by David Smith -@dustybermshot

The vibe off the bike at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds was both inviting and relaxing (click to enlarge). Photo by David Smith/@dustybermshot​

Without a doubt, Grinduro was the most fun I've ever had with drop bars. It was a huge hit and will surely give birth an entirely new chapter in bike events, drawing an incredibly diverse range of participants looking for a good time. Grinduro!

For more info check out grinduro.com.