Keeping it Positive: Despite race cancellation, community spirit endures damp weather for Grinduro
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Grinduro PA race participants, volunteers and community members gather around a map of the course during a welcome event held at Rox & River Adventure Co. in downtown Lock Haven on Friday night.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A group of attendees and participants for the Grinduro PA gravel race are pictured at the Castanea Fire Company’s picnic grounds. Despite the race being cancelled, race organizers said racers and the like still enjoyed their time in Clinton County.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Grinduro PA race participants are pictured on Saturday at the Castanea Fire Company Picnic Grounds.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Jordan Boob, at far left, owner of The Bike Gallery in downtown Lock Haven, was on-hand at the Welcome to Our Region event at Rox & River Adventure Co. on Friday night to speak with cyclists attending the Grinduro event.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Some cyclists who attended the Grinduro PA race event on Saturday didn’t let its cancellation stop them from taking part in portions of the course. Seen here are three cyclists along Farrandsville Road in Woodward Township.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Grinduro PA race participants, volunteers and community members gather around a map of the course during a welcome event held at Rox & River Adventure Co. in downtown Lock Haven on Friday night.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS A group of attendees and participants for the Grinduro PA gravel race are pictured at the Castanea Fire Company’s picnic grounds. Despite the race being cancelled, race organizers said racers and the like still enjoyed their time in Clinton County.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Grinduro PA race participants are pictured on Saturday at the Castanea Fire Company Picnic Grounds.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Jordan Boob, at far left, owner of The Bike Gallery in downtown Lock Haven, was on-hand at the Welcome to Our Region event at Rox & River Adventure Co. on Friday night to speak with cyclists attending the Grinduro event.
ASHTON PETERS/FOR THE EXPRESS Some cyclists who attended the Grinduro PA race event on Saturday didn’t let its cancellation stop them from taking part in portions of the course. Seen here are three cyclists along Farrandsville Road in Woodward Township.
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LOCK HAVEN -- Despite severe storms and smoky conditions forcing the cancellation of Saturday's official race, the Grinduro PA celebration continued as cyclists gathered to ride, socialize and enjoy the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Grinduro combines gravel-road racing with mountain bike-style enduro riding while placing just as much emphasis on food, art, live music, camping and an overall festival atmosphere.
The event brought cyclists from around the world to Clinton County on Saturday, July 18.
The weekend began Friday with a "Welcome to Our Region" party at Rox & River Adventure Co. in downtown Lock Haven. The gathering included beverages from New Trail Brewing Co., handmade bicycles from several builders, outdoor equipment from The Bike Gallery and booking opportunities through Bald Eagle Valley Kayak Co.
Train, Recover, Repeat offered pre-race compression treatments, while local musician Sean Farley provided live entertainment. Tropic-O-Ice also served gourmet handmade shaved ice.
Severe storms and smoky conditions ultimately altered Saturday's plans and led organizers to cancel the competitive portion of the event.
Grinduro Director Dave Pryor said he was impressed by how understanding the cyclists and community members were despite the unprecedented conditions.
Once the sun appeared, many cyclists still ventured onto portions of the course for a social ride. Several participants said they enjoyed the area's forests, scenery and gravel roads. Others gathered at the Castanea Fire Picnic Grounds to eat, celebrate and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
In the afternoon, Project Pizza made a special delivery for the participants. The business has supported Grinduro during previous events.
Pryor thanked the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services for coordinating weather updates and assisting organizers with safety decisions. He also recognized the fire, police and EMS agencies that supported the event and helped along the course.
Special thanks were extended to Castanea Fire Company for hosting the gathering, East Side Fire Rescue for providing ice, the Clinton County Economic Partnership, Rox & River Adventure Co. and the many volunteers, organizations and businesses that supported the weekend.
Clinton County Economic Partnership Tourism Director Melissa Dally said continuing with the official race would have created too much risk for both participants and volunteers. Despite the cancellation, she said morale remained high and organizers are looking forward to welcoming Grinduro back next year.
Plans are already underway for Grinduro to return to Clinton County in 2027 -- bigger and better -- as cyclists once again explore the county's scenic gravel roads.