I think we can all say that we might as well cancel all bike racing in 2020. People need to STAY HOME, wear masks when they leave their house, and ride in small groups until this pandemic subsides. Remember, bike racing during a pandemic is not socially conscious. Check out the press-release on why Grinduro California is postponed until September 18, 2021. Bike racing can wait…
Grinduro California has made the decision to postpone the 2020 event in Mt. Shasta due to the continuing spread of COVID-19. Registered riders will have the option to get a full refund, defer their registration to 2021, or donate their registration fee to Mt. Shasta’s host organization, the Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance (SORA). The Grinduro CA organizers are already planning next year’s event and looking forward to welcoming the Grinduro community to Mt. Shasta for some maxin’ and relaxin’ on September 18, 2021.
Prior to making this decision, the organizers announced that the event would only proceed if the following four criteria were met: 1) the event is deemed safe by local officials; 2) the local community supports the event; 3) Grinduro participants feel comfortable attending; and 4) the organizers can deliver a quality event while implementing all required public safety protocol. After meeting with local officials, conducting surveys with both local residents and Grinduro participants, and analyzing how the event experience would be impacted with social distancing protocol, the organizers determined it was not possible to meet any of their four identified criteria.
“This is of course disappointing news to share,” said Amanda Schaper, Grinduro California Event Director. “We were very hopeful that our September 2020 event would be possible, but it has become clear that the pandemic is not improving in a way that makes large public events safe or responsible.”
Prior to opening registration, Grinduro CA was aware that cancellation could be possible, so they offered a risk-free refund and deferral policy to participants. All registered riders will have the option to get a full refund, defer their registration to 2021, or donate their registration fee to Mt. Shasta’s host organization, the Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance (SORA), for the chance to win amazing prizes from Grinduro CA sponsors, including a mountain bike and a gravel bike from Evil Bikes. (This fundraiser will be open worldwide. Stay tuned to Grinduro channels for more details!) Riders who opt to donate their full registration fee will receive exclusive early registration access in 2021. The lucky winners of two brand new Evil bikes and other prizes will be announced through a live digital happy hour on the original event date of September 12.
“The entire Mt. Shasta community is disappointed that we have to wait another year before bringing the Grinduro family to our great town, but the locals appreciate us choosing to postpone,” said Justi Hansen, SORA Executive Director. “The survey we conducted with Siskiyou County residents really highlighted how excited everybody is to welcome Grinduro to Mt. Shasta. There is already a lot of support for this event, and with Grinduro making a responsible decision with the locals in mind, the support for next year will be even greater. 2021 will surely be worth the wait!”
“Making the decision to postpone something we’ve poured so much into is of course heartbreaking, but potentially harming the Grinduro or Mt. Shasta communities would be even worse,” said Schaper. “Everybody involved with the event can’t wait to reconnect with our Grinduro family, and waiting until 2021 will make the reunion that much sweeter.”
Mark your calendars because next year’s Grinduro CA in Mt. Shasta is scheduled for September 18, 2021, giving riders plenty of time to get their party-to-race ratios dialed.
SORA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates opportunities for all to access outdoor recreation while building meaningful and responsible connections to the trails, mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and landscapes of the Shasta-Siskiyou region of Northern California. Grinduro CA’s proceeds would have gone directly to SORA to support their meaningful work, and with the event’s cancellation, SORA is losing an important revenue stream. To learn more about SORA and donate to support their work, visit SORA.
