Big blow as Wales pinches Grinduro
The international Grinduro cycle endurance event will not be returning to Arran next year.
Organisers have confirmed that the UK event will instead be held in Wales. However they say, after Arran, it will have big boots to fill.
In a statement sent to the Banner from California, Eric Richter, of Giro Sport Design, said: ‘The Grinduro family of riders, sponsors, promoters and supporters have enjoyed three incredible years with the community of Arran, and we’re grateful to have shared the joy of riding in new places and making new friends along the way.
‘The same spirit that brought us to Arran is leading us to four new venues in 2020, as the race expands across the world. We sincerely appreciate every welcoming embrace, every friendly wave and every shout of encouragement over these past three years, and we hope that we’ll see you again on the trail ahead.’
The Grinduro weekend event was staged three times on Arran and was based at Arran High School in Lamlash attracting as many as 250 riders each year.
The unique format of Grinduro combines the best elements of a mountain bike enduro with a gravel grinderstyle road race. But having a good time at the after-race party was just as important as going fast in the event.
The event was mainly staged on Arran’s forestry tracks and was widely supported for the excellent organisation and competitors came from all over the world to take part, including the USA, Australia and Europe as well as all parts of the UK.
It also brought a welcome boost to restaurant, hotel and B&B trade. For while many of the entrants slept in tents at the high school base, others brought their families with them to the island.
Grinduro first started in California in 2014 and the first Grinduro on Arran in 2017 was the first held outside the USA. The 2018 event was filmed by BBC Scotland and shown on The Adventure Show hosted by Dougie Vipond.
Bryan Singleton of Focal Events, who started the three Arran events, said they had put forward a case for Grinduro to return to Arran next year but had been beaten by the Welsh bid, the location of which has yet to be revealed.
‘We are very disappointed but unfortunately, the
event does not belong to us and despite three excellent weekends we must bid the event farewell. On a personal level, Andy Williamson and I would like to thank you all for working with us and supporting the event. We have enjoyed the experience and learned a lot,’ Brian said.
Sheila Gilmore of VisitArrran added: ‘There was a great deal of hard work from many, including the general Arran community, which helped the last three years’ events go smoothly and we are disappointed they are not returning.’
Voted ‘event of the year’ by the Design and Innovation Awards committee, Grinduro expanded into four countries in 2019. For 2020, Grinduro takes the Party:Race Ratio to six unique locations around the globe in Australia, USA, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and, this year, Wales.