TOUR DE MANURE, Sierra Valley’s Metric Century of 60, 42 & 30 mile routes with a ranch-style BBQ at the finish will be held in Sierra Valley on June 17th as the 9th annual.
Doug Read is called the brain child of this event-- maybe the "father".
Doug has been a key player in the Great Race which is a huge fundraiser for the Placer Co. Nordic Search and Rescue for decades and understands how to de-velop and manage an event. He brought that to the Sierraville Fire Department where he is an active volunteer.
During a brain storm session as to what the fire department might do for a fundraiser, Doug responded by suggesting a bike ride (not a race) that featured the environment and financial backbone of the valley-ranching/farming.
According to volunteer Rick Maddalena, “I think he even surfaced the name at that session. Laura Read surfaced as the promoter and event registrar, Jay Huebert created the logo, Jeff McCollum and Dan Wentling became the logistics people, Karla Pombo took over finances, and Tami McCollum went on point as overall coordinator following Doug's counsel. Shannon Tucker took over management of the food.” Under further question, Rick stated, “If I were to name the leaders I would say Doug is the ‘father’ and Tami is the ‘mother’ of this child.”
Annually the event organization has been "tuned" using the Incident Command System to identify task to be accomplished, coordination needs with Beckwourth and Loyalton Fire, the East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce, other partners and vendors, and day of event volunteer assignments. Although it is hosted by the Sierraville Fire Department, volunteers come from all of the Sierra County communities (e.g. Plumas Bike Club, 4-H, Lost Marble Ranch, and East Sierra Valley Chamber) and Sattley and Calpine Fire Departments.
Proceeds from the event have been used to buy equipment to support the volunteers (e.g. ladders, flashlights, tow chains, rescue winches) and updating the fire station including installing large capacity electric garage door openers and fixing some long standing electrical issues.
Sierraville Fire is also partnering with the SCFPD#1 and the USDA Rural Assistance program to replace the tired Rescue Truck positioned at the Sierraville Station. The grant/ loan package from the USDA has been obligated and specifications for the truck are being refined and circulated for vendors. About 20% of the price of the new truck will come from Tour-de-Manure proceeds.
The new truck will carry the "Tour de Manure brand" on it's hind quarter.
Jay Huebert, who manages the bike stop at the bottom of Smithneck Road, say's “I've been herding cows much of my life. Now I'm herding bicyclists. I find that they leave less of a mess on the road but are much more likely to share their opinions."
Doug Read is called the brain child of this event-- maybe the "father".
Doug has been a key player in the Great Race which is a huge fundraiser for the Placer Co. Nordic Search and Rescue for decades and understands how to de-velop and manage an event. He brought that to the Sierraville Fire Department where he is an active volunteer.
During a brain storm session as to what the fire department might do for a fundraiser, Doug responded by suggesting a bike ride (not a race) that featured the environment and financial backbone of the valley-ranching/farming.
According to volunteer Rick Maddalena, “I think he even surfaced the name at that session. Laura Read surfaced as the promoter and event registrar, Jay Huebert created the logo, Jeff McCollum and Dan Wentling became the logistics people, Karla Pombo took over finances, and Tami McCollum went on point as overall coordinator following Doug's counsel. Shannon Tucker took over management of the food.” Under further question, Rick stated, “If I were to name the leaders I would say Doug is the ‘father’ and Tami is the ‘mother’ of this child.”
Annually the event organization has been "tuned" using the Incident Command System to identify task to be accomplished, coordination needs with Beckwourth and Loyalton Fire, the East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce, other partners and vendors, and day of event volunteer assignments. Although it is hosted by the Sierraville Fire Department, volunteers come from all of the Sierra County communities (e.g. Plumas Bike Club, 4-H, Lost Marble Ranch, and East Sierra Valley Chamber) and Sattley and Calpine Fire Departments.
Proceeds from the event have been used to buy equipment to support the volunteers (e.g. ladders, flashlights, tow chains, rescue winches) and updating the fire station including installing large capacity electric garage door openers and fixing some long standing electrical issues.
Sierraville Fire is also partnering with the SCFPD#1 and the USDA Rural Assistance program to replace the tired Rescue Truck positioned at the Sierraville Station. The grant/ loan package from the USDA has been obligated and specifications for the truck are being refined and circulated for vendors. About 20% of the price of the new truck will come from Tour-de-Manure proceeds.
The new truck will carry the "Tour de Manure brand" on it's hind quarter.
Jay Huebert, who manages the bike stop at the bottom of Smithneck Road, say's “I've been herding cows much of my life. Now I'm herding bicyclists. I find that they leave less of a mess on the road but are much more likely to share their opinions."
