Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and Ibis Cycles Bring Back Popular Fundraiser

5 Bucks a Foot campaign culminates in grand prize drawing for $10,000 Ibis mountain bike

Press Release // Clio, California – To help maintain the existing Lakes Basin trail network as well as propose six miles of new singletrack while employing local residents, this fall Ibis Cycles and the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship will be launching another 5 Bucks a Foot campaign. Over the years, the 5 Bucks a Foot campaign has raised more than $200,000 in funds that have built and maintained all the amazing trails in the Lost Sierra region.

Running between September 1 and October 15, 2016, the Grand Prize of this season’s 5 Bucks a Foot campaign will be an Ibis of the winner’s choice worth $10,000. In homage to the hunt for gold that originally created many of the trails in the Lakes Basin, this one-of-a-kind Ibis will be custom painted matte black and gold. The bike will also be equipped with a full SRAM Eagle 1×12 group in gold and black plated finish, FOX suspension and dropper post, black and gold Industry Nine wheels and tires, grips and a saddle from WTB. For every foot of trail purchased, an entry to win the bike is put into the drawing basket.

The legend of the Lakes Basin began in the early 1850s, when Thomas Robertson Stoddard claimed he stumbled upon a lake whose shores were glimmering with gold nuggets. His alleged story spread like wildfire, and by the following spring, thousands of prospectors searched for this elusive lake of gold. They found the lake, now known as Gold Lake, but the nuggets laying in plain sight never panned out. There were calls for Stoddard’s head after discovering his story was bunk, but by then the raconteur and his gold were long gone.

Although plenty of gold was eventually found in the Lakes Basin, the lasting legacy today is a network of rugged prospecting trails that connects nearly 30 emerald blue alpine lakes. Those that ride the Lakes Basin know it’s some of the most challenging, rewarding and stunningly beautiful terrain in all the Sierra Nevada. Measured by those who ride it in “dog miles” – the Basin is so rocky and technical that every mile ridden feels like seven. Although the going can be slow and arduous sometimes, the views are worth all the effort to reach trails like Mount Elwell, recently ranked as the third best mountain bike trail in the world by Dirt Magazine.

Ibis has been a long-time partner of the Stewardship, and the funds raised from a previous Ibis 5 Bucks a Foot campaign built Mills Peak Trail. Part of the proceeds from this year’s 5 Bucks a Foot will also go to helping fund two new proposed sections of singletrack on Mills Peak that are currently in the planning stages.

One section is proposed to connect the top of Mills Peak Trail with the Round Lake Trailhead off Gold Lake Highway, creating five new miles of singletrack. The other section of trail in planning is the much anticipated bypass of the fire road midway down the singletrack descent. This new section of singletrack will be three miles in length. If approved by the US Forest Service, Beckwourth Ranger District, riders will be able to pedal 16 miles of singletrack from Round Lake Trailhead all the way to Graeagle, taking Mills Peak Trail to a whole new level.

If there is any place the Stewardship can show off its rock work artistry, it’s in the Lakes Basin. In fact, virtually all of the trails in the Lakes Basin have been maintained and improved by the Stewardship, using sustainable rock armoring techniques, rock-lined drainages and elevated rock bridges over marsh areas to ensure that non-motorized recreation has as little impact on habitat as possible.

Show your support for one of the most magical regions in all the Sierra Nevada by purchasing as many feet of trail as you can. The payoff is world class recreation while helping employ local residents to keep our mountain communities thriving. And for one lucky winner, a brand new custom Ibis worth $10,000.

For more information on the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, and to make your donation, visit sierratrails.org or follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @sierratrails.