Few events strike a chord like Grinduro, which is why Gravel Alliance rider Claudia Gerosa was one of the first to sign up when the first-ever Italian round of this global series was announced.
This gravel event with its enduro-style segment racing concept and focus on fun finally became a reality in Italy and I was there. Known as a gravel party and race combined, Grinduro borrowed the gorgeous Punta Ala resort on the Tuscan coastline for three days, dropping a couple of hundred riders next to the beautiful beaches of Cala Violina and Cala Civette and the singletrack of Maremma and Massa Marittima.
Grinduro’s format mixes short, timed segments with longer, social, non-competitive transfer stretches. Your accumulated time over the four timed segments is added together to create the overall results list. While you can red-line it and burn your lungs through the segments, it felt as though this wasn’t the main priority for most of the participants and for that, I was pretty happy.
This is where Grinduro brings such a refreshing attitude compared to many other gravel events - it’s more about jaw-dropping scenery, great conversations with the other riders and top-rate feed stations than all-out competition.
The wildly varied route started on the coast before taking us inland and up into the hills of the Maremma hinterland, where the views back over the sea really lit up. Under our tyres was a real mix of surfaces, with everything from champagne gravel to never-ending singletrack in the woods and barely-used, typically Tuscan back roads.
I’d driven down from near Bergamo, eager for a good weekend and it all started in style with the Schwalbe shakedown ride on Friday afternoon, which gave us an appetiser of what was to come.
Come 9 a.m. on Saturday, we were lined up excitedly. The route began with a tarmac back road that led us to the first segment. Everyone was chatting and no one was in a major hurry, so we rolled along at a good pace. One natural split happened to form two groups and it was clear that some of cycling’s usual competitiveness was inevitable.
Not long later, we turned onto some forest tracks where special stage number 1 awaited.
Stage 1 – La Zinghera Hill Climb
This 2.8 km climb with 160 metres of vertical gain was in the forest on rough and pretty loose gravel. As the first hill of the day, I think everyone was stoked to get up it, regardless of their pace. I took my time, banishing thoughts of the results list from my mind as I stopped to take photos.
The end of the first segment came hand in hand with the first feed station, giving us another chance to chat, take selfies and crack some jokes. I regrouped with some other riders and we headed along yet more back roads to the village of Caldana. From here, undulating dirt tracks swept us up and down towards the halfway point, where lunch was hosted in some welcome shade at the truly beautiful Morisfarms estate and winery.
Stopping for lunch in the middle of a ride felt like a very foreign concept – it was definitely more substantial than the usual rushed mid-ride coffee. But you know what, I could get used to it. It was a lesson in taking time to enjoy a well-earned break in a stunning location with great food. So, why not indulge in a glass of wine from the very same ground where you’re riding too?
Again, no one was in a hurry. After more chat and more food, we leisurely got back onto our bikes and continued on to the next timed segment.
Before the second segment, the route took us up the well-known Spaghetti Climb, which looks exactly like it sounds – hairpin after hairpin, with some flat sections thrown in. I took it easy - the first part didn’t have any shade, but the second part went in and out of the woods with a lot of zig-zags. It led us up Monte Arsenti, which is where all the local MTB descents start.
After another feed zone, but more rehydration this time than refuelling. It was time for stage two.
Stage 2 – Marsiliana Down Hill
A 3.7 km fast, techy descent on rough gravel and churned-up stones, this was a test of line choice that put both bike and wrists through the wringer. I am a big fan of descents and even though I took a few risks, I loved every metre of it – In fact, I even won this segment in my category!
Yet another feed station landed on us at the bottom of the downhill, where I let my arms and hands recover before starting the next transfer section on tarmac to the third segment.
Stage 3 – Montioni Jungle Singletrack
At 3.8 km, this segment had a bit of everything - up and down through the woods, a jungle of emotions with real flow. I’ve never tried enduro, but definitely think it could become my thing as I really enjoyed threading the bike over roots and between the trees
One more transfer tarmac section past the town of Follonica, skirting between the coast and the pine forests before one final push for the day - a gravel climb starting from Portiglione that promised insane views once you made it to the top.
We were not disappointed. Everyone caught their breath at the top – it was the perfect spot to take photos of the crystal blue waters of Cala Violina before dropping into the fourth timed segment.
Stage 4 – Le Api Down Country
Fast and dusty, this 1.7 km segment demanded full concentration. With exposed roots and lots of sand, it was signature Mediterranean style riding.
Phew. Once that was done, there was only 2 km separating us from the finish line back at Punta Ala.
The vibe back at the finish was really welcoming, with everyone waiting for the rest to finish. Ice cream and beer were basically on tap and everyone seemed really happy with how the day went. Of course, given that we’re a bunch of cyclists who’ve raced segments throughout the day without knowing any results, there was definite anticipation ahead of the prize ceremony, which preceded dinner and the disco on the beach. (Full disclosure - I snuck away before the disco).
Sunday’s Hangover ride suited those who had enjoyed a bit more of a good night’s sleep (such as me) – or are simply indefatigable – and gave the perfect opportunity to spin the legs socially on some local singletrack. Wahoo, one of the event’s sponsors, provided coffee and croissants at a gorgeous spot beside the harbour in Portiglione.
I’m not sure what the rest of the participants were expecting, but if you’d come to Grinduro Italy thinking you’d be cruising exclusively along classic Tuscan strade bianche you would have been in for a shock. As promised, it delivered virtually every surface imaginable and gave us the chance to push ourselves and our skills on Maremma’s challenging terrain. Sand, rocks, wooded bits, flow sections, stony trails and tarmacked back roads. All Grinduro asks is that you show up and try, which is exactly what we did.
I can’t wait for next year. See you there?