The Ride

 

About the Ride

To all Lost & Found participants, we can't wait for you to experience the beautiful backcountry routes deep in the Lost Sierra!

New Courses for 2025!

The rugged, rocky final descent is out, but the course focus on "epically beautiful" will remains!

This is the Sierra so plan on running wider tires with more tread. We recommend at least 40mm wide tires for cyclocross bikes (like WTB Raddler, Riddler or Resolute tires), and riding a light, fast rigid mountain bike with 2.0 tires wouldn't be a bad choice either, especially if you are more comfortable on a mountain bike. There are lots of rocks and rain ruts crossing the dirt road sections in numerous spots, so when in doubt, check your speed a little.

This year will be much more than just a "gravel grinder"; it will be a rugged and beautiful off-road adventure - Lost Sierra style - so plan accordingly. The 2025 proposed course has a bit of everything from smooth, buttery gravel to chunky Lost Sierra dirt roads.  Starting from the City Park in Portola, you will launch into the magic that is the Lost Sierra. The Full Bull has multiple, beautiful views of Mt. Lassen on a clear day & descends into the beautiful Genesee Valley before an in-your face climb back toward Red Clover Valley. The Mid Moo & Full Bull also begin by climbing toward Smith Peak, and once achieved, there are excellent views of Lake Davis.

The Lost & Found is now part of the Gravel Earth Series. A global gravel series with a prize purse of nearly $40,000 and includes 25 events in 15 countries.

 

Table of Contents

• Ride Distance Categories
• Route Maps
• Rider Guide (download this to your phone!)
• Start Times
• Cut Off Times
• Aid Stations
• Rules and Common Sense

 

Photo: John Watson for The Radavist

Lost and Found Routes

FULL BULL (long) - ‘Serious Riders and Racers’
96 miles - 7,688 feet elevation gain

• Distance meant for race-pacers wanting to test their Strava, strength and mettle; and fit rider athletes looking for a strenuous challenge
• Route Map

MID MOO (medium) - ‘Adventure Rider’
64 miles - 4,928 feet elevation gain

• Distance meant for a long ride experience while appreciating views and serenity; equivalent to a century road ride
• Route Map

HALF CALF (short) - ‘Good Times Rider’
40 miles - 2,503 feet elevation gain

• Distance meant for seeking social, scenic fun ride, laughs, and great views
• Route Map

Route profile, elevation gain, and aid station info coming soon!

Note that route distances are approximate and within a +/- range of a few miles.

For racer age groups and levels see our registration page.

The course features mulitple theme based aid stations

 

Course Maps

Our goal is to send riders off to explore the vast North Eastern Sierra, and to get out there and find the vast backcountry valleys, big mountains and spectacular lakes that are the Lost Sierra.

All courses map: Coming Soon

Ride With GPS Maps with Elevation Profiles

Full Bull - 96 miles - Route Map

Click to view details

Mid Moo - 64 miles - Route Map

Click to view details

Half Calf - 40 miles - Route Map

Click to view details

 

Google Map to Portola City Park (start)

 

Lost and Found Rider Guide

 

RIDE START TIMES

All categories will stage at least 15 minutes prior to start time for instructions on completing the ride.

• 8am start - Full Bull PRO WOMEN
• 8:15am - Start as mass rollout for Full Bull PRO MEN & all other Full Bull racers
• 8:15am - Start as mass rollout for Full Bull PRO MEN & all other Full Bull racers
• 9am - Start as mass rollout for all Mid Moo & Half Calf racers
• All categories will stage at least 15 minutes prior to start time for instructions on completing the ride
• Neutral roll-out start on Highway 70
• Riders need to stay right and not cross the road divider on Highway 70 (during the neutral roll out)

Many will choose to ride, rather than race and take advantage of the views, the libations and the serenity.

There will be a dedicated course sweep for all course lengths. 

The Ride will be held rain, shine, sleet or snow. In the event of extreme weather or natural disaster, the ride may be shortened, postponed or canceled without refund.

ROLLING ENCLOSURE:

During a “Rolling Enclosure”, vehicle traffic will be stopped and controlled by course officials and/or law enforcement to ensure rider safety and to keep the peloton moving swiftly. Once the peloton has passed through, the intersection will re-open to vehicle traffic. Rolling Enclosures are estimated to take no more than 10 minutes at each intersection. Riders riding behind the peloton must obey all rules of the road, as there will be no Rolling Closures in place.

 

CUT-OFF TIMES:

If at anytime an STBS staff member, or a member of the emergency response team, determines a rider is physically unable to complete the event within the allotted time frame. You must accept a ride back to the emergency response center at the Portola City Park/Finish area.

Course officials reserve the right to remove and “DNF” any rider from the event that is deemed incapable of safely finishing the course for any reason.

If you do not make the cut-off time or are unable for any reason to finish, please DO NOT go through the finish line as it will foul-up our results!

• Aid Station 1: 10AM Full Bull, 11AM Mid Moo

• Aid Station 2: 1:30PM Full Bull

• Aid Station 3: 2:30PM Full Bull & Mid Moo

• Aid Station 4: 3:45PM All racers 

• Aid Station 5: 12:30 PM Half Calf, 5PM All racers (Half Calf will pass through Aid 5 twice)

 

 

AID STATIONS:

There will be multiple aid stations evenly spaced on all routes. They’ll be stocked with fresh water, energy snacks and all the great items our generous aid station sponsors provide each year.

Post Ride

• A post event party will be provided for participants after they finish along with food, awards, donation drawing and entertainment. Post-ride meal will be available between 12 & 6 PM.
• Post ride festival details

 

Rules and Common Sense

Rules of the Road

1. All riders are required to wear an approved helmet and cannot remove it at any time while riding.
2. No support or follow vehicles are allowed. Aid stations will be well stocked and able to handle participant’s needs.
3. Riders must ALWAYS obey traffic laws and strictly obey any law enforcement persons or official ride personnel. In the interest of your own safety, you should always assume the same level of vigilance in riding your bike during the event that you would under normal circumstances.
4. When passing other riders, use common sense and pass on the left and let yourself be known when doing so. After you pass, resume riding as far right as safely possible. DO NOT PASS riders or vehicles on blind corners.
5. Public urination or exposure is, as always, a definite NO-NO. Anyone caught using anything other than a porta-head in the start or finish area or appropriate nature-break facility will be disqualified from the event.
6. You are responsible for your own mechanical needs during the event.
7. Utilize the aid stations and stock up with the necessary fluids and food you’ll need to get yourself to back the finish area.
8. Be prepared for extreme changes in the weather, this is the high country. A light windbreaker at the very least is a good idea. Sunblock is also a must at these altitudes. Ride will take place rain, shine, sleet or snow.
9. Entry Refunds? There are no refunds.
10. Headphones/ear buds are NOT permitted during a ride.
11. Each rider is classified according to their age as of December 31st, the year of the event.
12. Equipment: Bicycles cannot have handlebar extensions or additions that mount anywhere EXCEPT the end of the handlebar (ie., bar ends on standard MTB handlebars are acceptable) in other words, NO AEROBARS!
13. Riders must respect the directions of all course marshals at all times. If you’re told to stop by a course marshal, moto official, uniformed officer or otherwise, YOU MUST STOP!
14. All riders must attend the “riders’ meeting” held at the staging area 15 minutes prior to the event.
15. The responsibility of keeping on the prescribed course rests with the rider. A rider may not leave the prescribed course unless ordered to do so by public authorities or a ride official.
16. Shortcutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks or course is not permitted and may result in disqualification. A rider is required to stay on the designated route. It is the rider’s responsibility to know the designated ride route. Lack of tape or barriers will not constitute an excuse for cutting the course.

• Laws and ordinances of appropriate jurisdictions shall be observed during participation in the event.
• A rider may be suspended for damaging or destroying public or private property. A rider may be held liable for all costs associated with the damage or destruction.
• Lost & Found officials reserve the right to make changes to the course, delay start times and/or postpone the event as necessary for safety or security purposes or at the request of permit issuers.

• Riders must obey all applicable traffic laws during the event and are encouraged to use common sense, keep their head up and stay in their lane of travel. At no time will there be a closed road.
• For the first 5.6 miles (first paved section) riders in the peloton will have full use of the right lane of travel, but cannot ride left of the yellow line into the oncoming lane at any time during the ride.
• Once the route changes to a dirt road, riders must obey all traffic laws and use common sense, keeping their speed under control.
• Riders should expect vehicle traffic on all roads, along with ATVs, motorcycles, livestock and wild animals. Stay in your lane and follow the rules of the road.
• Once a rider is dropped from the main peloton they must ride as far right as possible in single formation. This applies to both the pavement and dirt sections. 

If at anytime an STBS staff member, or a member of the emergency response team, determines a rider is physically unable to complete the event within the allotted timeframe. You must accept a ride back to the emergency response center at the Portola Start/Finish area.

• If you do not make the cut-off time or are unable for any reason to finish, please DO NOT go through the finish line as it will foul-up our results!
• Riders who are not capable of getting back to either the start or finish areas under their own power will be transported by an event “sag” vehicle.
• Course officials reserve the right to remove and “DNF” any rider from the event that is deemed incapable of safely finishing the course for any reason.

 

 

MORE INFO: This event is under special use permit with the Plumas National Forest. Non-Discrimination Notice. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agricultural policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9310 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.