During an event filled with spectacular scenery and beauty, there are only a few sights that you never want to see.
One is of medics racing down a gravel road with sirens blaring and lights flashing.
A medic SUV raced down the road at the 2018 Lost and Found gravel ride to assist with the fallen racer. The flashing lights are barely visible in the cloud of dust.
Another is of a fellow racer on a stretcher.
On Saturday, we saw both as the unthinkable happened at the fifth edition of the Lost and Found gravel ride in California’s Lost Sierra.
We lost a fellow cyclist.
Our deepest condolences go out to the rider’s family and loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragic event. Words cannot express our sympathy and the gratitude we will have for every future pedal stroke we’ll take.
On Sunday, we reached out the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship in attempt to clarify the rumors spreading about the accident, and Jesse Passafiume, the President of the Board, kindly responded and alerted us to an upcoming press release, which we now have below.
Passafiume acknowledged details of the accident in the press release are vague out of respect for the privacy of the family.
Stay tuned for any updates on this breaking story.
Update: We have come to learn via a Northern California Nevada Cycling Association Facebook post the identity of the fallen rider is 70-year-old Mike Shaw, a winner of the Wente Vineyards Classic Road Race this past April.
R.I.P. Mike Shaw.
Portola, Calif. – It is with a heavy heart that the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship team announces that one of our tribe, a member of the Hammer Nutrition Team, passed away while participating in the Lost & Found Gravel Grinder at Lake Davis, California on June 2, 2018. The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, on behalf of its staff, volunteers, and event participants sends our deepest condolences and best wishes to his family, friends and teammates.
We sincerely thank the entire partnership team of first responders and volunteers that were in place and took action during Lost & Found, including Beckworth Fire District, Eastern Plumas Rural Fire District, PHI Air Ambulance, Plumas County Sheriff, and the Plumas Amateur Radio Club.
For the last 25 years, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship team has hosted events in Sierra and Plumas counties that showcase the Lost Sierra. We endeavor to provide fun, family-friendly, and memorable events for everyone who participates; from riders, to spectators, to our volunteers. There are no words to express how much the passing of one of our tribe members affects us all.
