Race Report: Grinduro 2023

Race Report: 2023 Grinduro

Date: 5/20/23

AVRT Racers: Matt Carvell, Will Hakim, Cam O’Reilly, Alex Rusoff, Janene Ostrow, Niky Taylor

Report by: Niky

Course: It’s about 62 miles and a whole bunch of climbing (7k?) and it’s mostly gravel and singletrack (and a bit of road) and it’s great. The race segments were 1) gravel descent, 2) road TT, 3) gravel climb, 4) singletrack mostly descent. 

Recap: The meme page challenged me to write a 12-15 page race report so here we are. Just kidding, it’s not quite that long. ChatGPT wrote this race report. Then I re-wrote each paragraph to match what actually happened. 

ChatGPT Input: Write a race report about Alex, Matt, Will, Janene, Cam, and Niky racing Grinduro in Mt. Shasta in 2023.

Introduction

On a crisp morning in 2023, six adventurous friends—Alex, Matt, Will, Janene, Cam, and Niky—embarked on a thrilling journey to participate in the renowned Grinduro bike race in Mt. Shasta. Their spirits were high as they anticipated the challenges and excitement that awaited them on the picturesque trails. Little did they know that this event would not only test their physical endurance but also create lasting memories of camaraderie and joy.

Niky: On a pretty warm morning in 2023, we six adventurous friends embarked on a thrilling journey to participate in the renowned Grinduro bike race in Mt. Shasta. Our spirits were high as we anticipated the challenges of layering, should I wear this vest or not??? 

The Start Line:

The atmosphere at the start line was electrifying. Cyclists from all over gathered, clad in colorful jerseys and determined expressions. The friends joined the sea of eager participants, their bikes gleaming under the morning sun. With a wave of the flag, the race began, setting the stage for an unforgettable day.

Niky: We actually weren’t really on the start line and it was pretty casual because the way Grinduro works you can kinda just roll out slow with the group. Matt was blasting music from a bluetooth speaker. My bike is matte finish so it doesn’t gleam but Will’s is pretty gleamy.

The Climb:

The race route took them through a scenic ascent, winding along challenging mountain trails. The group pushed their limits, conquering steep inclines and rocky terrains with grit and determination. The breathtaking views of Mt. Shasta provided a constant reminder of the awe-inspiring natural beauty that surrounded them.

Niky: The Grinduro race route did take us up a nice climb. Janene skipped it since she was doing Grindurito. I don’t think anyone pushed their limits because it wasn’t a race section. We spread out. Cam got made fun of for wearing a skinsuit. I got made fun of for Cam wearing a skinsuit. Matt did not get made fun of for wearing a skinsuit because the bluetooth speaker was cool enough to balance it out. The breathtaking views were not of Mt. Shasta but it was very pretty 10/10 would recommend.

Friendly Competition:

Although the race was competitive, the spirit of friendship prevailed. Alex and Matt, known for their friendly rivalry, spurred each other on, exchanging encouraging words and pushing the pace. Will, with his unwavering focus, showcased his technical skills, effortlessly maneuvering through the tricky sections. Janene, the powerhouse of the group, showcased her strength and resilience, inspiring everyone around her.

Niky: The race was only competitive at 4 timed segments. Most of it was not. Alex and Matt did ride together most of the time and did the segments together and took a nice couple photo in front of Shasta. Will, with his unwavering focus, showcased his technical skills and effortlessly crashed on a tricky section of the first descent/segment 1. He pulled out of the race but is ok. Janene was a powerhouse and also managed to stay remarkably clean which was maybe the most impressive thing any of us did all day.

The Joy of Downhill:

After a grueling climb, the reward awaited—the exhilarating descent. With adrenaline pumping through their veins, the friends descended like a whirlwind, navigating the winding trails with sheer joy. Cam, the daredevil of the group, showcased his agility and fearlessness, leaving everyone in awe. Niky, with her infectious laughter, added a touch of merriment to the downhill rush.

Niky: After the climb, the reward was the first race segment down a gravel descent. Cam, the “daredevil of the group” showcased his agility and fearlessness and dropper post to make it down alive 2 minutes slower than the rest of us (except for Will who, as I mentioned, crashed. RIP). I was mostly concerned with racing Caroline Dessendorf and not crashing on segment 1. Segment 1 was pretty sketchy. Segment 4 was flowy downhill singletrack and THAT was an outright blast. Thanks chatGPT, I’d like to think I add “a touch of merriment” lol. 

Pit Stops and Bonding:

Throughout the race, the friends made pit stops to refuel and hydrate. These breaks became precious moments of bonding, as they shared stories, laughter, and snacks. Supportive cheers echoed among them, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie that carried them through each challenging stage.

Niky: There were a lot of aid stations. We stopped at them. But not together. Cam does not believe in stopping during rides. So he would stop for like 2 seconds and then take off again. Even at this photo stop he looks like he just wants to hurry up and keep riding.

The Finish Line:

As the finish line approached, a mix of exhaustion and elation filled the air. The cheers of the crowd fueled their final surge of energy. Crossing the finish line, the friends embraced each other, their faces beaming with accomplishment and pride. They had conquered Grinduro, not only as individuals but also as a unified team.

Niky: As the finish line approached, idk someone told me to sprint and I was like nah that’s ok. Then I wandered around and found Cam and Janene and got my picture taken.

Celebration and Reflection:
The post-race celebration was filled with laughter, high-fives, and a sense of shared achievement. Over a hearty meal, they reminisced about the race's highlights, recounting tales of triumph and the occasional tumble. They celebrated not only their personal victories but also the bond that grew stronger with every pedal stroke.

Niky: The post-race celebration was fun. First we took a group picture without Will. Then we found Will back at the Airbnb and wrapped him in plastic (Tegaderm). Alex went to jam to music at the event, the rest of us got pizza and then joined him. As we bid farewell to Grinduro, Will used ChatGPT to figure out if Alto Velo is a cult and that inspired this race report format.

The most important thing is that overall I beat Cam by 4 seconds. Alex probably beat both of us by like 10 minutes or something. He was ripping it and would have gotten second in his age group, but sadly he and Matt both DNF’d because their timing chips didn’t scan correctly on the stage 2 road TT. Janene crushed Grindurito and next time should maybe do the whole Grinduro and also should maybe run 2 bottle cages in 90 degree weather. Matt wins the award for “Most Dad” for riding the whole thing with classic rock blasting from a bluetooth speaker and also determinedly wearing a base layer under his skin suit even though it was very hot. WILL CRASHED on the course but not in our hearts.

This was a super fun weekend and I highly recommend Grinduro to anyone interested in riding/racing gravel. It’s a super inclusive and great format for a race. I tried to approach this weekend as just riding for fun, but still got to tear it up a bit and learn more about gravel racing. Also I beat Cam. Not sure if I mentioned that.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/9109157415

Nutrition: I ate a lot of watermelon and bananas and I made my own applesauce+maple syrup gel and it was a lot of sugar