Founded 2014 by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship as the flagship fundraiser for the Lost Sierra Route, a project connecting 15 Sierra mountain communities by trail. Started small and has grown from roughly 200 riders in 2014 to about 2,000 today. Founded in 2014. By Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (Chris McGovern).
Reputation: Beloved regional CA gravel festival with a trail-building mission — three-time winner Serena Gordon calls it "sort of the reason we ride and race bikes."
Grew from ~200 riders (2014) to ~2,000 riders
Joined the Gravel Earth Series in 2025 with a global prize purse
[03]
The Course
Photo: YouTube / Nick PintoPhoto: YouTube / Nick Pinto
The 2026 Full Bull is a 99-mile Lost Sierra route with 5,946 feet of gain and 84% dirt. The organizer notes that published route distances are approximate within a few miles.
Signature challenge: A long, mostly dirt route with 5,946 feet of climbing through the Lost Sierra.
RIDERS REPORT
Early climbing in first 5 miles MI 5
16,000 ft of elevation in the first 5 miles with multiple climbs including a steep section hitting 12% before mile 9. Riders warn not to blow your wad right off the gate.
Hidden left turn MI 8.4
Sneaky left turn at 8.4 miles that riders will miss, marks transition to dirt after ripping descent.
Climb six MI 33
Brutal climb described as 2.7 miles with 650 ft gain on loose gravel. Hits 10% on chunky sections with riders running out of gears.
Windy valley MI 30
Big empty valley with brutal headwind that riders battle through. Race finishes with extended headwind section.
Extremely dusty conditions that will affect chain lubrication and visibility, especially in shadows through trees where riders can't see stumps.
Primo gravel sections mixed with washboards. Loose gravel on climbs that gets chunky and makes traction difficult.
Water crossings that will dry out chain lubrication even quicker after dust exposure.
[04]
From the Field
1,600 ft of elevation in the first 5 miles. Probably not the best idea to blow your wad right off the gate... I say start off slow unless you really got that uh stamina in the first part of the race, first 15 miles of the race.
Nick Pinto · 3.8K views
That was by far the hardest it's ever been. 96 miles, 8,000 ft of climbing... The middle climb and the headwind can eat a bag of you know whats.
Ornot Bike · 805 views
Just hit a big old empty windy valley. It's pretty though, but I don't like wind... Just battling a good old headwind now.
Nick Pinto · 3.8K views
I've done this race four or five times and that was by far the hardest it's ever been.
Ornot Bike · 805 views
Nick Pinto · 3.8K views · 28:08
Ornot Bike · 805 views · 5:21
Nick Pinto · 1.4K views · 18:48
RACER
Racer Reviews
Raced Lost and Found Gravel? Be the first to rate it.
RATE LOST AND FOUND GRAVEL
✓
Review submitted — thank you! It will appear after moderation.
[07]
Training
June 12, 2027 LOST AND FOUND GRAVEL
RIDERS REPORT
Make sure chains are lubed with wax, bring lube with you because dust and water crossings will dry it out quickly. One rider had to switch from wax to oil mid-race.
Consider tire inserts to prevent pinch flats on technical sections.
[08]
Train for Lost and Found Gravel
RACE DEMAND PROFILE
Durability
2
Climbing
7
VO2 Power
4
Threshold
6
Technical
6
Heat
0
Altitude
4
Race Specificity
6
3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE
Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Lost and Found Gravel’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.
Gravel SpecificSurge and Settle
1hr+
Explosive surges into tempo settling — the signature gravel-specific workout.
Lost and Found Gravel's California Sierra Nevada, Mountain gravel forces constant power changes. Surge over the rough stuff, settle on the smooth, repeat for 65 miles.
EXECUTIONOut of the saddle for every surge — explosive, violent power. Then immediately drop to tempo and SETTLE. Smooth your breathing. Recover while still working. This is what gravel racing IS: attack the rock garden, settle on the straight, attack the climb, settle on the descent. Over and over.
POSITIONStanding for surges | Seated in drops for settle
RPESurges: 9–10 | Settle: 5–6
RACE-SPECIFIC: LOST AND FOUND GRAVEL
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Lost and Found Gravel’s 65 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Moderate altitude at Lost and Found Gravel. Arrive 2–3 days early. Reduce intensity expectations by 5–10%. Hydrate aggressively.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Lost and Found Gravel requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on california sierra nevada gravel to build confidence. Expect: california sierra nevada, mountain gravel, regional event.
TT ThresholdDescending Threshold
1hr+
20-15-10-5 minute threshold blocks with descending duration — intensity through fatigue.
92ft/mi means long efforts at or near FTP on every climb. If your threshold cracks at minute 15, you'll walk the rest.
EXECUTIONThe intervals get shorter but harder. By the 5-minute block, you’re above FTP on tired legs — this is the finish-line effort. The decreasing rest (5-4-3 min) compounds the fatigue. If you can hold the 5-minute block, you’re race-ready.
POSITIONSeated. Drops for the final 10min and 5min blocks.
RPE20min: 7 | 15min: 7–8 | 10min: 8 | 5min: 9
RACE-SPECIFIC: LOST AND FOUND GRAVEL
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Lost and Found Gravel’s 65 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Moderate altitude at Lost and Found Gravel. Arrive 2–3 days early. Reduce intensity expectations by 5–10%. Hydrate aggressively.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Lost and Found Gravel requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on california sierra nevada gravel to build confidence. Expect: california sierra nevada, mountain gravel, regional event.
Race SimulationVariable Pace Chaos
1.25hr+
Unpredictable power changes — no pattern, no rhythm, pure gravel race simulation.
Race-pace efforts that mimic Lost and Found Gravel's demands. Pacing, fueling, and tactical decisions under fatigue. Practice the race before June.
EXECUTIONThere is no pattern. That’s the point. Power jumps randomly between zones — like a gravel race where terrain, wind, and competitors dictate your effort. Don’t anticipate. React. Recover when you can. Suffer when you must. This workout teaches metabolic flexibility.
POWERRange: 85–130% FTP | No two minutes at the same power
CADENCEVariable — match the effort. 80rpm on tempo, 100rpm on VO2, 120rpm on sprints.
POSITIONChange constantly. That’s the chaos.
RPEVaries wildly: 4–10 within a single block
RACE-SPECIFIC: LOST AND FOUND GRAVEL
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Lost and Found Gravel’s 65 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Moderate altitude at Lost and Found Gravel. Arrive 2–3 days early. Reduce intensity expectations by 5–10%. Hydrate aggressively.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Lost and Found Gravel requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on california sierra nevada gravel to build confidence. Expect: california sierra nevada, mountain gravel, regional event.
FREE
GET THE LOST AND FOUND GRAVEL PREP KIT
12-week training timeline, race-day checklists, packing list, and personalized fueling calculator — unlocked instantly.
Underrated mixed-terrain tire. Fast center with confident shoulder grip.
2
Specialized Pathfinder Pro
42mm · $55 · 32W
Fast center, grippy edges. The modern all-rounder benchmark.
3
Panaracer GravelKing SK
43mm · $65 · 32W
Affordable all-rounder. Light knobs add grip without killing speed.
FRONT/REAR SPLITPanaracer GravelKing TLC 43mm / IRC Boken Double Cross 42mmFaster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
What is the climate like at Lost and Found Gravel?
+
Historical weather data shows average highs of 79°F and lows of 48°F, with a 19% chance of rain on any given day. Conditions swing from velodromedary's 2023 experience of "very dry, dusty and in places, rutted course" to John Watson's 2025 encounter with "moon dust" conditions and "silty washouts." Early June Sierra weather remains unpredictable enough that riders worry about "snow, or at the very least mud in places where snow has recently melted." Similar climate challenges to SBT GRVL.[6]
How are the logistics for Lost and Found Gravel?
+
Packet pickup only Friday 3pm-7pm or Saturday 6am-8am at Portola City Park shows minimal flexibility. The town "blanketed with some of the most elaborate camp set ups you've ever seen" as cyclists turn every available park into overlanding showcases, but volunteers directing parking and remote Sierra location means you're driving or you're not racing.[10]
How adventurous is Lost and Found Gravel?
+
Lost Sierra backcountry through ranchlands, mountain lakes, and Forest Service roads delivers remote terrain at serious elevation. Photographer John Watson documents the Dixie Fire's aftermath: "massive expanse" of burned forest now carpeted with "Sierra lupine, Snow Plant, Mule Ears" creating "swathes of color." The 80% dirt ratio means wilderness racing with cell service concerns, not sanitized rail-trail touring.[10]
How prestigious is Lost and Found Gravel?
+
Three-time pro winner Serena Gordon calls it "sort of the reason we ride and race bikes" and praises the "amazing landscape and amazing terrain." The race joined the Gravel Earth Series in 2025 with a global prize purse, but field depth remains thin enough for Gordon to dominate repeatedly, suggesting regional respect without national marquee status.[5]
Should I race Lost and Found Gravel?
+
If you're in California and want a Sierra Nevada event—yes, it's solid. If you're from out of state—there are better options.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
