Fellow racers and volunteers,
The news this week has been unsettling, confusing and frustrating for many. Big events are being canceled locally and around the world in an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. These are tough decisions for event organizers and the communities fed by these events, but understandable given the rapid spread of the new Coronavirus. While the effects of this virus tend to be mild in the young and healthy, they can be devastating to the elderly and those with underlying health challenges. The current public health strategy is an attempt to slow the spread of this disease to allow the healthcare system to keep pace. The strongest recommendation is for frequent hand washing and awareness/avoidance of situations where viruses can spread. There is no vaccine or cure for this disease.
So what does that mean for The Lost & Found gravel race scheduled June 6th in Portola. Given that our race is scheduled a few months out, we’re pushing full steam ahead on arrangements for the event. We will be taking extra precautions with handwashing stations throughout the venue and across the entire racecourse. Most importantly, we’ll be asking racers and volunteers who have any signs of respiratory illness to STAY HOME. Of course, it’s impossible to predict how the situation will look in a few months, and we’ll heed the direction from Plumas County Public Health when we get closer to the event. The reality of the situation is, this virus is here to stay, but we’re expecting that the situation will stabilize in the coming months allowing a successful and safe event.
Full transparency – The Lost & Found gravel race is one of the biggest fundraising events for The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. Events like this not only expose riders to an amazing region, rich with spectacular views and fun riding, but also are a vital source of the funding required to do the trail work of the SBTS. Additionally, they’re an economic boost for the regions where we run our events. If we have to cancel the event, the economic loss to the region will be substantially higher than our losses. BUT, if the situation is still critical at that time, then the risk to public health and safety will be our greatest concern. We are discussing contingency plans in case that situation becomes a reality. Of course, we’re hoping for the best!
In the meantime, please wash your hands, take care of your families, and TRAIN HARD – this race is a big one! We’ll keep planning and monitoring the situation. We’re looking forward to seeing you all out in Portola this June!
— Rob Bixler MD FAWM
VP & Medical Director
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
March 16, 2020
Proceeds from the Lost & Found go right back into the trails through the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
Building sustainable recreation-based communities through stewardship, job creation and world class events. Providing quality outdoor experiences through trail construction and maintenance in the Lost Sierra.
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship