Get your Griz on for annual charity ride on Sierra Vista

Get ready to gear up for The Griz, aka The Grizzly Gravel & Century charity ride coming to North Fork and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway on Saturday, Oct. 3.

This is the 32nd annual Grizzly event, said volunteer event director Tony Inderbitzin, who is on the board of directors for the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway nonprofit which benefits from The Griz.

“This will be my sixth one I’m pulling off,” said Inderbitzin, with the help of scores of volunteers. “Historically we have nice weather on the first Saturday in October and we’re expecting just over 200 riders.”

The race starts and finishes at the North Fork Town Hall.

“Lions Club does a great pancake breakfast that’s open to the community,” Inderbitzin said.

Breakfast is included in registration. For the general public not participating in The Griz, the cost for breakfast is $10. It includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and orange juice 6 – 9:30 a.m. Tickets are available at the door or from North Fork Lions Club members in advance.

“After the ride, toward the end, our final road stop is at Miller’s Landing at Bass Lake. We make a beer stop because some cyclists like a bit of beer.”

Post-ride, organizers are planning for Indian Tacos, also included for registrants along with a complimentary beverage, adult or otherwise.

Inderbitzin said the scenery post-Creek Fire is still fantastic, though changed — now you can see the granite through the remains of trees.

“Before the fire it was buried in the forest. And now it’s exposed granite features and granite domes you didn’t see before. It’s beautiful in a different kind of way.”

Post-Labor Day the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is nearly devoid of traffic.

“You’re not going to see many cars beyond Support and Gear (SAG) and Forest Service.”

The route is almost entirely repaved now, Inderbitzin noted.

“The asphalt is pristine.”

Registration for The Griz will be open right up until the event. Organizers are still securing volunteers who will receive an event T-shirt, breakfast and post-ride meal. SAG vehicle volunteers will receive gift cards for gas.

Volunteers are essential to keep the adventure going and keep riders safe.

“On the dirt road we use motorcycles for SAG and usually we stage them at the rest stops. And at each rest stop we have members of the local Mountain Amateur Radio Club with a base at town hall in North Fork.”

Potential participants will want to know the registration price is going to jump by $20 across the board after Sept. 27: the price increases on the 28th.

All for a good cause

“This event is all for charity,” Inderbitzin emphasizd.

One-hundred percent of proceeds go to the nonprofit.

The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association (SVSB) is the sole beneficiary of The Griz and it’s the only SVSB fundraiser.

SVSB designates how projects funds will be used. Past recent projects have included informational kiosks and general improvements to viewing platforms along the byway.

Funds are sometimes used to benefit the community of North Fork as occurred last year when SVSB donated about $8,000 for the roof at town hall and to make improvements at the library.

SVSB also provided some of the funds for the Exact Center of California monument outside North Fork, also called Cal Center

“We do all kinds of things.”

Billed as “California’s most scenic Gravel & Century Adventure,”

The Griz will typically raise between $7,000-$10,000 each year.

The grizzly details

Road riders will be treated to gorgeous views of Redinger and Mammoth Pool lakes, exposed granite domes, peaks, national forest, meadows and more. Participants are encouraged to spend the day taking in the scenic vistas from unique vantage points only a cyclist can claim.

Gravel riders will enjoy the tranquil climb, granite domes and meadows. The climb is long but gentle railroad grade fire road. Riders will descend on a portion of the Scenic Byway few ever get to see.

Rated as the Second Best Ride in 2023 by Gravel Bike California, this is a ride not to miss.

The Grizzly Century (100 miles) includes an over-10,000 foot elevation gain from North Fork past Lake Redinger, Mile High Vista, Eagles Beak Peak, Beasore Meadow, Globe Rock, Portuguese Overlook, Arch Rock, granite domes, the red fir forests of Cold Springs Summit and speedily descend to Bass Lake then back to North Fork.

The Grizzly Metric Century (100K=68 miles) is a 6,600 foot elevation gain, departing from North Fork and climbing the Scenic Byway past Redinger Overlook and Ross Cabin to the cool spring water at Rock Creek and back.

The ride offers tremendous views of conifer forests, rock formations and the Sierra before a ride back to North Fork and a loop up and around Bass Lake with a stop at Miller’s Landing for a free beer.

Loop the Lake (24 miles) is an 1,800 foot elevation gain around Bass Lake and The Pines Resort with beautiful pines and quiet roads before a return to the staging area after a beer at Miller’s Landing.

There’s also a Long Growling Gravel Ride (65 miles) and a Short Growling Gravel Ride (40-plus miles). GPS routes are available.

For registration and additional details, visit www.TheGrizzlyRide.com