This past weekend, we headed to Portola, California for another incredible edition of Lost and Found Gravel, hosted by Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. Set against the backdrop of Portola and the rugged Lost Sierra landscape, the event once again brought together riders from across the country for one of gravel cycling’s most iconic weekends.
Lost and Found continues to be one of the premier gravel events in the country, not only because of the stunning terrain and challenging routes, but because of the people behind it. Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship has built something truly special in the Lost Sierra, creating an event that celebrates adventure, community, and a shared love of riding bikes. Beyond race weekend, SBTS works year-round to build, maintain, and advocate for trails that benefit cyclists, dirt bikers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Their commitment to expanding access to world-class riding while investing in local communities is something we deeply admire, and we’re proud to support an organization that does so much to strengthen and grow the cycling community.
The festivities kicked off on Friday with the shakeout ride(Thanks Nicole and Patrick), where more than 100 riders rolled out to preview the terrain, spin their legs, and enjoy the community that makes Lost and Found so special. White Industries was proud to host an aid station along the route, offering refreshments, snacks, and a chance to connect with riders before the big day.
Have you seen Curtis from Retrotec and his Triumph at Lost and Found? He drove it from Napa up to Portola on Friday morning just for the shake out ride. Don’t worry he left at 5:15am to beat the heat!
Saturday morning saw more than 1,000 riders line up at the start, ready to tackle routes ranging from challenging 40, 60 miler or the full 100-mile epic. As the day progressed, temperatures steadily climbed, adding another layer of difficulty to an already scenic course.
Dusty roads, long climbs, and relentless heat tested riders throughout the day, but the determination and positive spirit of the gravel community never wavered as you can see as White Industries Ambassador Tydeman Newman wheelied through our aid station!
We spent Saturday at Aid Station #2 supporting the brave riders taking on the 100-mile route. Equipped with pickle juice for cramp prevention, fresh caprese bites for a change from Gu energy gels, and plenty of Dumonde chain lube to keep drivetrains running smoothly through the dust, our team was there to help riders keep moving toward the finish line. Whether someone needed a quick mechanical check, a salty snack, or just a few words of encouragement, it was rewarding to play a small part in so many successful rides.
Events like Lost and Found are a reminder of what makes cycling special. Beyond the miles, the elevation gain, and the finish times, it’s the people who make these weekends memorable.
We’re grateful to Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship for continuing to put on such a world-class event and for their ongoing work building and maintaining trails throughout the Lost Sierra region.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our aid stations, shared stories, grabbed a caprese bite, or simply said hello. We look forward to seeing you out on the gravel again soon. And thanks so much for the White Industries crew of volunteers, Glyn, Kasey, Ed, Britney, and STBS volunteers Michelle and Neil for helping out! Couldn’t do it without this crew! (Insert hand heart emoji here).
That river never felt so nice after such a long day out there.
It was a fun filled event and the expo was the perfect zone to hang out in the cool grass and watch the amazing band play and eat some amazing food provided by local vendors! Already excited to be there for 2027!
