Press Release | December 4, 2023
The 2023 “Twist the Throttle for Trails” campaign from Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship /5 Bucks a Foot is now live. Each $5 donation, which benefits trail access and projects, made between now and the campaign’s end on December 25, gives you a chance to take home a new KTM Freeride E-XC electric bike valued at $11,000.
Every $5 donation is an entry and goes towards trail projects! A win-win! Get in this!
The following is a press release from Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship…
Our final 5 Bucks a Foot fundraiser of 2023 is underway, with a new KTM Freeride E-XC electric bike valued at $11,000 at the center of the prize package. The zero-emissions bike runs on a brushless 18-watt motor and has a max speed around 50 miles per hour with an approximate range of 30-40 miles, perfect for a quick, quiet and fun rip! It is a non-plated, Green Sticker bike that can be operated on public lands year-round.
Each $5 donation made between now and the campaign’s end on December 25, gives you a chance to take home the bike, as well as a selection of bags from Giant Loop, a hydration pack of your choice from USWE and goodies from Leatt. We once again partnered with Motorcycle Performance Center in Roseville, California, on this campaign, which outfitted the bike with custom Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship graphics, as well as upgraded the handguards, lights and pivot pegs.
The dollars raised annually from our three 5 Bucks a Foot campaigns are a critical piece of our funding structure, as motorized trail projects funded by Off Highway Vehicle and other government grants often require big matches—unrestricted funds, such as those raised by these campaigns, go four times as far as grant-related dollars and allow SBTS to meet those matches, as well as cover staff overhead required to fulfill the grant work. Funds from this campaign will go directly toward supporting our three Pro Trail Crews, which maintain vast networks of motorized trails in Downieville and Quincy every year, and also ensure we can continue our efforts to expand multi-use trail access in the Lost Sierra through the Connected Communities project. That project includes multiple proposed moto-legal trail networks throughout the Lost Sierra that are in various stages of planning and development.
A 5 Bucks a Foot donation is a chance to give back to the trails and get a chance to roll home on a brand-new KTM… it’s a win-win! But don’t take it from us.
Here’s what Nicole Lavash (pictured above), who won last year’s grand-prize KTM had this to say: “Winning the SBTS KTM 350 EXC was a dream come true and I am living proof that donating means anyone can win. If you are considering donating, just know that everyone has a chance at winning and the money is going directly to people who are working hard to add more trails to a network and community that is super fun to ride and spend time in.”
Connected Communities Fall Update—Funding, Construction and Trails Master Plan Progress!
It’s been a big past few months for Connected Communities, including the Quincy trail crew making significant progress toward the first connection between Mount Hough and Taylorsville, construction kicking off on the East Zone project near Truckee and some significant funding news.
That’s a Wrap on Beckwourth Peak Trail!
The SBTS Graeagle Trail Crew recently pulled all equipment off the Beckwourth Peak Trail in Portola, after a light dusting of snow signaled the first signs of winter. The crew made awesome progress this season, building a total of 2.25 miles between May and November, with just over a mile left to finish next season in the project.
When it’s finished, Beckwourth Peak will be a 13.5-mile lollipop loop, climbing up from Portola City Park and around the peak, with a natural rock tunnel as the highlight. It is open to all non-motorized recreation: hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Please give the Graeagle trail crew a huge thank you for their hard work on Beckwourth next time you see them!
Get Involved! SBTS News & Happenings
2024 Lost and Found Gravel Festival
Registration is open for next year’s Lost and Found Gravel Festival, presented by Cervélo! Riders will once again choose from 35, 60 or 100-mile courses, each of which showcases the beautiful and rugged Lost Sierra backcountry. The race, which we’ve moved two weeks later next year, to June 15, 2024, starts and ends at Portola City Park. Riverside camping, live funk music, food trucks and a custom framebuilders showcase make the whole weekend an experience not to be missed. Sign-up here!
2024 Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Festival
It’s Back! The Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Festival and All Mountain World Championships, presented by Santa Cruz Bicycles, returns July 13 and 14, 2024, for the 26th year of good times and epic racing in the mountains! Registration opens January 21, 2024 at downievilleclassic.com—be ready to nab your coveted Classic spot early as this event sells out!
Yuba Expeditions Shuttles and Merch
Yuba Expeditions in Quincy has shifted to winter hours and is open weekly Friday to Monday from 9 to 4. The shop will continue running two shuttles up Mount Hough per day, a 10 a.m. and a 1 p.m. until we get snowed out. As always, the Yuba online store is open 24/7 at https://yuba-expeditions-adventure-center-quincy.shoplightspeed.com/.
Support Our Partners Who Support Trailwork
The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship mission to build sustainable recreation-based communities through stewardship, job creation and world-class trails is more important now than ever.
For more information, visit https://sierratrails.org/
