What is Tour de Manure?
"It's a bunch of Sierra Valley folks sharing their beautiful ranch lands with two-wheelers!" says Doug Read, founder of one of California's quirkiest rides, Sierra Valley's Tour de Manure.
A Day Like No Other
Cyclists say they love the Tour de Manure first because of its spirited volunteers, then because of the scenery. After getting your T-shirt and registration in downtown Sierraville at the fire station, head out into the valley, where volunteer “Turn Cowboys” guide you along the course. Rest stops run by bicycle clubs and chambers of commerce offer the sort of hash that historic Sierra gold miners turned to after a long day's haul.
Just when you think you’re riding into a meadow-land outer space, a homemade lemonade stand appears, run by the Spencer family next to their Lost Marbles Ranch out in the central Sierra Valley. Most of the ride is flat, but near the end there are a few hills and sometimes some headwind, so save that energy and be prepared.
At the finish line party in downtown Sierraville, firefighters don’t let cyclists — or guests — go hungry. They serve up BBQ chicken, tri-tip and beans by When Pigs Fly BBQ, along with pasta, salad, garlic bread, and homemade desserts. Los Dos Hermanos, the restaurant next door, brings over salsa and fresh chips. Save some energy for boot - scootin' and dance to our live band in the Firehouse parking lot and enjoy some of Californias finest Microbrews available for sale.
Event Details
Start location
At the Sierraville Firehouse, 102 Main Street, Sierraville. (Turn east on Calif. Hwy 49 at Sierraville's blinking light.) It's a casual, un-timed start. You can get going anytime between 8 and 9 a.m. See route maps above and below.
Parking
Volunteers will help you to find parking on the street or in special free private lots provided by neighbors.
Cost
*2025 pricing for registration will be announced soon - stay tuned.
Registration
Please join us on the first Saturday in June (June 7), 2025. Registration opens midnight - Feb 1, 2025 and is limited to 500 riders. In 2024 we sold out all our limited availability within 3 weeks. We urge you to sign up early and save your space in the Tour de Manure. (There will be no changes or refunds. Your donation to the Tour de Manure/Eastern Sierra Firefighters Auxiliary goes to the firefighters and EMTs of Sierra Valley.)
What's Included
Sag Wagons, a T-shirt, aid stations, a lemonade stand, a very big lunch, and live music at the finish line party. Coffee and goodies are for sale at Smithneck Farms coffee shop across the street. Beer is for sale onsite at the fire station after the Tour.
Proceeds
Proceeds support those brave folks who pull you out of ditches and fight your fires — the volunteers of the Sierra County Fire Protection District #1. Your ticket is tax-deductible, PAID to the Eastern Sierra Firefighter Auxiliary, a nonprofit supporting the volunteer firefighters and EMTs of eastern Sierra County.
