Cover photo courtesy of Riverside State Park Foundation
New to this fall’s recreation line-up, “The GRIND,” a gravel circuit race, is coming to Riverside State Park. The start and finish are at the Seven Mile Airstrip, home of the successful 24-Hour MTB and Wednesday night MTB races. This race is a collective brainstorming effort from the mountain bike community and the Riverside State Park Foundation (RSPF) and will serve as the nonprofit’s yearly fundraising event.
The course will be a familiar one to frequent Riverside riders. The 11-mile loop traverses wide-open two-track trails and a few sections of singletrack, making it fast and non-technical with some climbing that will be perfect for mountain, gravel, cyclocross, or hybrid bikes with a bit of tread. RSPF board member and longtime Spokane cycling event organizer Gino Lisiecki is spearheading the race. “Gravel is very popular right now and this will be a fun, spectator-friendly event with the loop format featuring 66-mile (6 laps), 44-mile (4 laps), and 22-mile (2 lap) options,” he says, allowing racers to choose the distance that’s right for their fitness level.
The race will feature chip timing, custom pint glasses, Bicycle Butler support at the start, and finish-line chili and snacks. The cooler Autumn weather should make it a great day of cycling and fundraising for the many park projects and programs RSPF helps make possible each year. Camping will be available at the venue for an additional fee when registering for the race. Register for The GRIND at Riversidestateparkfoundation.org.
