Coming to the 28th Annual  Sea Otter Classic, April 19-22, 2018? Click here for tips.

* * *

Info below was previously published.

Just some of what’s up at SOC 2014

1. The 24th Annual Sea Otter Classic’s new happenings include The Outlaws of Dirt Series best trick contest–competitions for pros and amateurs in BMX and mountain bike categories. And the Camp of Champions Big Air Bag is back again!
2. Magicshine Night Ride, a complimentary recreational ride on 4/11, 8 p.m., for all ability levels, with choice of mountain or road course. Click for details at the SOC website. Locals know that it takes a lot of volunteers to make Sea Otter Classic the great success that it is. Helping make the new Magicshine MTB route a success is our very own Monterey Off Road Cycling Association (MORCA). Click here to learn more. Register early for the mountain route, as it filled up for 2013. Road route has unlimited space.

As is the tradition, there’s an exciting movie playing during Sea Otter Classic week. This year it’s “Won’t Back Down: The Story of Legendary Mountain Biker Steve Peat.”  The venue is once again the historic Golden State Theatre in downtown Monterey. For details, see 4/11/14, 8 p.m. on the http://bit.ly/BikeCalendar.

Highlights of SOC 2014 from the Monterey County Weekly

“Another Sea Otter Classic cometh to Laguna Seca,“by
Mark C. Anderson, Kevin Jewell and Karen Loutzenheiser with photographs by Nic Coury, Monterey County Weekly, April 10-16, 2014.

* * *

The info below was previously published in 2011.

Welcome to bicycling friendly Monterey County! What makes this such a bike-friendly place?  Our Monterey Bay Coastal Trail and other bike routes, and the year-round discounts that businesses and organizations here give to people who bike are two of many reasons.  Add in this being home to the bicycle world’s premiere festival, the Sea Otter Classic, and you know why hundreds of thousands of cyclists flock to Monterey County every year–over 64,000 come for Sea Otter Classic alone!

This post includes links to:

• Some Sea Otter week activities, including Pedal-Driven premiere and  Bicycle Leadership Conference
• Lodging and camping tips–plus showers for day visitors
• More Monterey County cycling tips
• The Sea Otter Classic’s web pages of most common interest

The 21st Annual Sea Otter Classic

Pro and amateur racers, both mountain and road, make the annual pilgrimage to Laguna Seca for amazing competitions.

Sea Otter is also a “Celebration of Cycling.”  From children’s activities to the Beer & BBQ Garden, from the morning yoga and stunt shows to good times camping with other bike freaks and shopping at North America’s largest bicycle exposition, Sea Otter is a place for all kinds of cyclists.

For many, Sea Otter is part of family life, like that of the trio pictured in this post (back at Sea Otter 2000).  For a 2011 photo and update on this family, see “Sea Otter Classic:  A family tradition for some,” in the April 8-14 issue of Off 68.

About Sea Otter week activities (on this site):

• April 12, 5:30-7:30 pm:  Twilight Ride at Laguna Seca.
• April 15-17, for girls ages 8-14 at Sea Otter:  Little Bellas:  Day camp never had it so good!
• April 14-17, for bike shops at Sea Otter:  Waiting on the world to change?  Bike shops aren’t!
• April 15:  Pedal-Driven Premieres at Golden State Theatre, Monterey (includes bike/bike-and-ride tips so you’ll have easy downtown parking)
• Sea Otter and more, including SOC’s April 17 women-specific activities:  Celebrate Cycling in Monterey County
• April 12-14:  Bicycle Leadership Conference.  Tips for attendees (on this site). – Note:  Many of the tips on the BLC page will be helpful to other SOC week visitors, too.

Check out these pages and more on the Sea Otter website:

1. Activities for Kids
2. Ditch the Car (tips on biking and on using the MST bus)
3. Dog Policy, including tips on kennels, pet-friendly lodging, and dog-friendly beaches
4. Expo exhibitors list.  Stalking the elusive bike gear?  Look for it here! Sea Otter is North America’s largest bicycle exposition, with over 300 exhibitors.
5. FAQs – from “Where do the races take place” to “What’s the weather like? What to wear?” and “Any special perks for carpoolers?”
6. Gran Fondo fully supported recreational rides–route choices of 20, 49, and 96 miles
7. Ladies Activities – Sunday, April 17, with women-specific clinics, demo ride, panel discussion, product displays, and reception
8. ‘Parking tips (for bikes and vehicles)
9. Registered Riders (in all races and in the Gran Fondo recreational ride)
10. Ride with a Pro (bring your own bike, or grab a demo bike)
11. Visit Monterey County (points out bike-ability of neighborhoods surrounding many popular attractions)
12. Some of what’s new at SOC 2011: Speed and Style, “a combination of a head-to-head race and a freestyle jump contest.”  Camp of Champions is bringing its Big Air Bag.  And Handcycling has been added to Sea Otter’s athlete competitions, in the Road Circuit races.

Lodging, camping, showers for day visitors:

• Hotels on SOC site
• Hotels, hostel, and other lodging providers in the HER Helmet Thursdays project (this site)
• Camping at Laguna Seca (SOC site)
• More camping in Monterey County (this site)
• Shower and change locations for day visitors (this site)

More tips for locals and visitors on this site:

• Heard about the HER Helmet Thursdays project?  Get discounts on Sea Otter’s Opening Day, April 14 (and on Thursdays year-round) from participating businesses and organizations all over Monterey County!
• Bike to the Best of Monterey County
• Have a pricey bike and want to dine where you can keep your eye on it?   See “Bike Security” section.
• Bicycle Valet Parking
• Tips for Bicycling Monterey County – 20-section guide
• Where to Bike in Monterey County
• Bicycle Shops, Services, Clubs, and Resources
• And also check this site’s Bike Monterey County section

For more local bike-related and other tips

Contact Mari Lynch, (831) 375-6278, a  cyclist and Monterey County resident since 1981.

Can’t reach Mari immediately and have an urgent question?  Besides the Sea Otter Classic team, other reliable help is available from Jan Valencia and Frank Henderson (below), plus contacts listed on the Bicycle Shops, Services, Clubs, and Resources page.

Jan Valencia

Velo Club Monterey Answer Man Jan Valencia.  On Twitter – @jvalen – Twitter.com/jvalen or email Jan via the Velo Club website.

Frank Henderson

League of American Bicyclists instructor Frank Henderson.  Phone, 831-755-6738 or email,  fhenders@hartnell.edu.

 

This local family

pictured below in 2000,  made racing Sea Otter part of their homeschooling graduation requirements.  Read more.  And for a 2011 update on the family, click here.

Kira, Aaron, and Sieg Magenheim