The Chino Grinder is Arizona’s oldest and most iconic gravel grinder and has earned a reputation as one of the toughest gravel races in the West. With routes that are 75–95% unpaved, this is real Arizona gravel riding: long, remote stretches of dirt road, big views and enough climbing and distance to make finishing an accomplishment.

Part of what makes the Chino Grinder special is where it takes you. The course travels through the high-desert country surrounding Chino Valley and includes sections of historic roads that have been traveled for generations. Riders trade the classic Sonoran Desert landscape of Southern Arizona for wide-open grasslands, juniper country, distant mountains and big northern Arizona skies. Depending on where you are on the course, keep an eye out for pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, jackrabbits and the many hawks and other birds that thrive in this open country.

Multiple distances make the Chino Grinder much more than a race for hardcore gravel racers. There are options for different ages and abilities, whether you’re taking on your first big gravel challenge, attempting a century, or lining up to see just how fast you can ride it. Whatever distance you choose, expect a course where self-sufficiency, endurance and a willingness to embrace a little suffering are all part of the experience.

The start and finish at Chino Valley Community Park also makes this more than just a day on the bike. Grassy fields, shade and showers create a comfortable home base for riders, families and spectators, with a pre- and post-race gathering that adds to the community atmosphere. Send your rider off, enjoy the park while they’re out getting dusty, and be there to cheer them home.

The Chino Grinder combines gravel, history, scenery, challenge and community into one distinctly Arizona cycling experience. There’s a reason it has been around this long and why riders continue coming back to find out just how tough they are.