What type of race do you get when you cross two of the most fashionable disciplines in cycling? A gravel-grinder with timed聽enduro-style segments, naturally.聽
This week, the helmet and shoe manufacturer announced a new racing format鈥攄ubbed聽鈥攖hat will debut at an event it's聽hosting. The race, to be based around the small, northeastern Sierra hamlet of Quincy, will consist of a 60-mile, mixed-terrain loop with more than 8,000 feet of climbing. Riders can ride road, cross, or mountain bikes, though Giro says the ideal set up is probably a disc brake-equipped cross bike with wide, tubeless tires.
As with an enduro race, winners will be determined based on timed segments鈥攆our in total鈥攏ot an overall loop time, meaning that racers will be able to spend most of the day enjoying the terrain and experience with friends.
鈥淕rinduro is all about rewarding the most well-rounded rider,鈥 said Giro聽Marketing Director Dain Zaffke. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hammering short segments, then regrouping and laughing with friends about the effort. It鈥檚 how most of us ride on the weekends, and we feel like modern bike racing needs a format that represents this style.鈥

After a fondo-style mass start in Quincy, the event will make it鈥檚 way along the course for the four timed segments:聽a non-technical, gravel descent;聽a five-kilometer asphalt time trial;聽a one-mile, gravel hill climb; and聽a twisty, singletrack descent.聽
Winners will be determined based on their cumulative times. But Zaffke stresses that while the racing will be fast, the weekend is mostly about having a good time in the woods. Registration covers fees to stay at a local campground, where there will be food vendors, live music, art installations, a small hand-made bike show, and an industry expo.
鈥淭his event is all I can think and talk about鈥攊t's聽going to be that much fun,鈥 Zaffke says. 鈥淲e rode the course two weeks ago and it was crazy good. Amazing terrain.鈥
聽for Grinduro ($200 for the weekend) opened Wednesday聽in conjunction with Sea Otter. With only 450 slots available, Giro expects the event to fill fast.
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