Skip to content
TIER 2 GRINDURO SERIES

Grinduro

Multi-Location Global Series · 2026: Multiple events across continents

VERDICT Four timed segments scattered across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada dirt — race hard when it counts, cruise with friends when it doesn't.

77
LAB SCORE
—
RIDER SCORE · RATE IT →
[05]

The Ratings

Course verdict

Grinduro flips gravel racing on its head - four brutal timed segments scattered across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada terrain, with social cruise sections between the suffering.[8]

Course Profile ratings for this race. Select a point for its explanation. LOGISTICS3/5LENGTH2/5TECHNICAL5/5ELEVATION4/5CLIMATE4/5ALTITUDE3/5ADVENTURE5/5 26/35
Course Profile
How the scoring works →
Custom plan

Train for Grinduro

A training plan for Grinduro—shaped to your fitness and the hours you have.

START MY CUSTOM PLAN → $15 / WEEK
[01]

Course Overview

Where gravel racing meets enduro format - timed segments, untimed vibes, and a festival that actually delivers

60 mi
Distance
7,800 ft
Elevation
Multi-Location Global Series
Location
Multiple events across continents, 2026
Date
Field Size
$180
Entry Cost
[03]

The Course

Motion-blurred cyclist riding through wooded singletrack trail with heavy forest canopy overhead - Grinduro - Multi-Location Global SeriesPhoto: YouTube / Global Mountain Bike Network
Cyclist in racing kit on dirt road with rolling hills and bright sunshine in rural landscape - Grinduro - Multi-Location Global SeriesPhoto: YouTube / Global Mountain Bike Network

Grinduro flips gravel racing on its head - four brutal timed segments scattered across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada terrain, with social cruise sections between the suffering. You'll ride conversationally through spectacular mountain scenery, then absolutely torch yourself for 5-15 minutes when the clock starts ticking.

Signature challenge: The format itself is the killer - you can't pace conservatively because only four segments count, but you can't go full gas because there are three more stages coming. It rewards complete riders who can climb, descend, and suffer repeatedly while managing effort across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada punishment.

8
MILE
First Timed Climb
The opening salvo hits hard - a sustained gravel climb that separates the properly prepared from the optimists. Your legs are fresh but your pacing discipline gets tested immediately.
22
MILE
Technical Singletrack Stage
Timed descent through Sierra singletrack where road skills mean nothing. Loose rocks and tight trees punish hesitation while rewarding controlled aggression.
35
MILE
Valley Grinder
The midpoint timed segment - rolling terrain that looks deceptively easy until you're sprinting over false flats at 7,800 feet of total climbing. Altitude makes everything harder.
47
MILE
The Final Reckoning
Last timed segment when your legs are already cooked from the previous stages. A mix of climb and technical terrain that decides final placings among the walking wounded.
RIDERS REPORT
Mud Canyon
Totally crazy section that caused a lot of issues for a lot of people according to riders.
Cow Path of Death
Described by riders as probably the most spectacular spot of the course.
45 Percent Grade Hike-a-Bike Section
Insane climbing section that requires riders to get off and push their bikes.
Very bumpy gravel sections that riders describe as quite jarring on the bike.
Course includes single track segments in the woods along with varied gravel surfaces.
[04]

From the Field

The green churro is an event like no other and it encompasses everything I love about cycling an unreal location some epic riding and some of the same partying.

Global Cycling Network · 188.1K views

You're only timed over four different stages on the route - the first stage is a hill climb 2.8 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 160 meters, the second stage is a downhill stage 3.7 kilometers long, then there's the third stage which is the real fun bit of single track segment in the woods.

Global Cycling Network · 188.1K views

Grinduro is an enduro race over a humongous loop with two options, a 50 and 100k, and within that are four stages that are timed - a crazy uphill stage, a slightly more downhill one, or one which was really single tracky.

Global Mountain Bike Network · 47.9K views

The green churro is an event like no other and it encompasses everything I love about cycling an unreal location some epic riding and some of the same partying

Global Cycling Network · 188.1K views
I Entered The World’s Coolest Gravel Race! | Grinduro Italia
Global Cycling Network · 188.1K views · 15:00
Why I Took On This 100 Kilometre Ride... On a Handbike
Global Mountain Bike Network · 47.9K views · 33:47
RACER

Racer Reviews

Raced Grinduro? Be the first to rate it.
[07]

Training

RIDERS REPORT
IRC Double Cross 42mm tires with Orange Seal - rider reports never flatting those tires.
SRAM XX1 mountain bike derailleur with 11-52 cassette setup for the wide gear range needed.
30mm of travel fork completely changes how the bike handles on rough terrain.
Dropper post with 50mm of travel for technical sections.
[08]

Train for Grinduro

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

Durability
2
Climbing
8
VO2 Power
8
Threshold
6
Technical
10
Heat
6
Altitude
6
Race Specificity
10
FREE

GET THE GRINDURO PREP KIT

12-week training timeline, race-day checklists, packing list, and personalized fueling calculator — unlocked instantly.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

[10]

Tire Picks

45mmTECHNICAL
1
Schwalbe G-One Bite
45mm · $70 · 38W
high puncture protection for sharp surfaces. excellent wet grip
2
Maxxis Reaver
45mm · $80 · 35W
high puncture protection for sharp surfaces
3
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S
45mm · $74
high puncture protection for sharp surfaces. excellent wet grip
FULL TIRE GUIDE & PRESSURE TABLE
NEWS

Latest Coverage

[—]

Similar Races

T2 Paris to Ancaster Paris to Ancaster, Ontario, Canada · 68 mi · 70/100 T2 Grinduro Canada Saint-Urbain-de-Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada · 67 mi · 67/100 T2 Bluewater International Gran Fondo Sarnia, Ontario, Canada · 93 mi · 69/100 T2 Gravel Arteaga Mexico Arteaga, Coahuila, Mexico · 82.6 mi · 66/100 T2 OG Classique Wakefield, Quebec, Canada · 77.1 mi · 63/100 T2 Okanagan Graveller West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada · 74.6 mi · 60/100
[—]

Frequently Asked Questions

Weather varies dramatically by location and can be extreme. Mt. Shasta 2023 saw '90 degree weather' creating layering dilemmas for riders. Scotland events face notorious conditions cycling 'between steady drizzle, heavy mist and occasional downpour.' California 2019 saw snow and hail, while 2025 Quincy hit 94°F/34°C on race day. Milder conditions than Crusher in the Tushar.[2]

Remote locations are part of the experience. Quincy, California requires driving from Sacramento or Reno with camping at fairgrounds. Italy requires a medical certificate from the Italian Cycling Federation. Niky Taylor found the format 'super inclusive and great,' praising how 'you can kinda just roll out slow with the group' without start-line anxiety.[8]

The format delivers unique experiences across varied terrain. Iggy95 described their first gravel race as 'Holy shit what an absolute blast! It felt like time stood still, just totally in the moment' during high-speed descents. Courses mix 'gravel and singletrack (and a bit of road)' with segments including 'gravel descent, road TT, gravel climb, singletrack mostly descent.'[16]

Grinduro created an entirely new race format that influenced gravel culture. They 'ignored the broader industry-led trends, did our own thing, and as it turned out, it was exactly what a lot of riders wanted.' Carl Decker represents the Giant Factory Off-Road Team at events, showing pro-level participation and industry recognition.[7]

You need legitimate climbing legs for 7,800 feet and technical handling skills for those singletrack descents. The format saves you from pacing disasters but won't save you from being undertrained. Show up fit enough to go anaerobic for 10 minutes at a time across varied terrain, or you'll get shelled on every timed segment.

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

  1. Route Maps RideWithGPS: Grinduro CA 2026ridewithgps.com/routes/53291723
  2. Other Sources Theradavisttheradavist.com/2025-grinduro
  3. Other Sources Theradavisttheradavist.com/tag/grinduro
  4. Other Sources Altovelowww.altovelo.org/blog/race-report-grinduro-2023
  5. Media & Press BikeRadarwww.bikeradar.com/news/grinduro-2025
  6. Other Sources Cyclepathpdxwww.cyclepathpdx.com/blogs/news/grinduro-2025-experience-...
  7. Other Sources Giant-Bicycleswww.giant-bicycles.com/us/the_road_to_grinduro
  8. Media & Press Gravel Cyclistwww.gravelcyclist.com/videos/2025-grinduro-italy-crazy-it...
  9. Other Sources Gravelunionwww.gravelunion.cc/article/ride-report-grinduro-italia-2023
  10. Other Sources Patagoniawww.patagonia.com/stories/grinduro-scotland
  11. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/19644c5/grinduro_penn...
  12. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/1aj5862/tips_for_...
  13. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/1czj7o3/grinduro_...
  14. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/1d6hbaa/last_minu...
  15. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/1dad5qk/last_minu...
  16. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/1dcmw3i/my_first_...
  17. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/gravelcycling/comments/exa1jy/grinduro_e...
  18. Video YouTubewww.youtube.com/c/Grinduro
  19. Video YouTubewww.youtube.com/hashtag/grinduro

Last updated September 2026