Ten years ago, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship held the first Grinduro. This unique gravel race included four timed segments, and it encouraged a convivial atmosphere celebrating the natural splendor of the Lost Sierra. Now Grinduro has returned to its roots in Quincy, California – but after a decade of life changes, wildfires, and a global pandemic, is Grinduro still as amazing as it was in its early days? Read on for John’s in-depth race Reportage along with a few words on why nostalgia will always win…

Rewind a Decade: The Roots of Grinduro

In early 2015, I got a phone call requesting my photo services to document a new gravel event in Quincy, California, hosted by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. The event was the brainchild of Dain Zaffke, who wanted to turn the modern paradigm of gravel racing on its head. Soon, I was flying out to San Francisco to take a road trip to the Lost Sierra.

Grinduro was the first of its kind — a gravel race inspired by the enduro race format, where only specific segments were timed. Dain wanted the promotional photos I would shoot to showcase all aspects of the weekend: camping, Lost Sierra gravel roads, singletrack, and speed! You can see the event promotional images from April 2015 here.

The event was launched in October 2015 and ran for four years before leaving Quincy for Mount Shasta. But in 2025, Grinduro made its return to its birthplace of Quincy to celebrate its first decade. Once again, the organizers pinged me, asking if we could do it again, just like the years I documented the race. I wholeheartedly expressed my gratitude, and we began to plan.

Last week, Miguel and I took a road trip across the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Province, finally landing in Quincy.

Gravel Racing Killed Gravel

A lot has changed in ten years. Modern gravel racing, with its heavy-handed handling by professional cycling corporations, has altered gravel. Plenty of grassroots events are still flying the banner of fun, but by and large, gravel racing killed gravel. Looking back at my 2015 event photos and these images enclosed in this year’s gallery, there are noticeable differences, too.

Closer to the Heart

Now there are more kids around, fewer photos of whisky bottles, and not to mention the size tires people can clear now! The first year at Grinduro, most were on the 40 mm WTB Nano tires.

Overall, I’m really pleased with how these photos came out. Heavy lifts like this wreck my body but nurture my mind. The pendulum swung wide with Grinduro in 2019, amassing 2000 riders. And yet, 2025’s turnout felt more true to spirit – intimate, like a family reunion. All one can hope is that people will go out and spread the word of just how good this event (still) is.

Grinduro is now under the Mountains to Meadows banner in the SBTS events roster. The weekend includes Grinduro on Saturday, then a Mount Hough Enduro race on Sunday. Due to time constraints, I could only document Grinduro. All in, the weekend drew around 450 signups – not the numbers the organizers were hoping for, but the bigger picture here is important to contextualize.

There are so many gravel races these days, but few, if any, capture Grinduro’s intent. Part camping, part party, a hard course, and a laid-back atmosphere with nighttime entertainment for all to enjoy.

Shot by e-MTB

Like the 2019 event, I chose to document the race from an e-MTB. The singletrack in and around Quincy in the Plumas National Forest is legal OHV for motos and e-bikes. The last time I’d ridden an e-MTB was at the 2019 Grinduro, and the battery range has improved drastically. I kept the Mondraker Crafty RR on Eco mode all day and still had 41% battery life left when I got back to Quincy. Thanks to the extra juice provided by the Bosch PowerMore 250.

There is no easy way to document a race like Grinduro. In the early years of covering the race, I’d haul my full-frame camera around with one lens and pedal the whole course. Now with this system, I can bring extra lenses, and be less tired as I’m composing shots. What I really like about documenting races via e-MTB versus moto or car is that I don’t dust the racers out with 2-stroke fumes or plumes of dirt. I just kindly pass on the right or left and say thanks.

Many thanks to Mondraker for saving my back during this arduous task!

A Return to Form

Overall, this year’s event was a huge success. The fact that my favorite gravel race is back makes me feel hopeful. Events that are less focused on stats and rankings, that encourage camping, a social atmosphere, and unforgettable course routing, will always have a place in cycling.

Gravel races killed gravel, but Grinduro proves that nostalgia wins.

I wanted to thank the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, Yuba Expeditions, Dain Zaffke, and everyone who said hey and brought the vibes and energy the world needs so badly right now. And I wanted to give a huge shout-out to Mondraker, who made our independent Reportage possible!

Love you all.

I’ve uploaded these photos and more to The Radavist Dropbox for personal use!

The Radavist thanks Mondraker for supporting our 2025 Grinduro coverage!