Now in its 20th year, the Sea Otter Classic will distinguish itself from its humble beginnings in 1991 with an activities roster designed to keep in step with trends and engage everyone. In addition to a bursting schedule of competitive events and time-tested highlights like the SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone and shows featuring stunts and trials, new activities ranging from an all-girls mountain bike day camp, yoga with Ryan Leech, Ride With a Pro program, and a genuine Gran Fondo will answer to the vast range of participant interests.
This year’s event, which takes place April 15-18, marks Sea Otter’s tireless efforts to offer activities to the growing spectrum of participants. From bike demos, rides with pros, road and mountain bike tours and more, Sea Otter really is a massive event with something for everyone…even the little tykes. There’s a full roster of kid’s events, and festival entrance is free to kids 12 and under with the accompaniment of an adult.
The Sea Otter Classic expo has approximately 300 companies participating in the expo area. Make sure to cruise through the lakebed for a chance to get your hands on all the latest in aftermarket goodies as well as demo rides on the newest bikes.
Full descriptions of new and ongoing events and things to do after the break…
Debuting for Sea Otter’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
Little Bellas Day Camp
The Little Bellas, a popular, all-girls mountain biking program run by pro sisters, Lea and Sabra Davison, will bring their successful camp West, from its native Vermont, to the Sea Otter Classic. This all-girls camp will be an adventure in mountain biking designed to get girls hooked on the sport and engaged in Sea Otter. The camp will focus on improving skills and having fun. The camp is a great opportunity for girls looking to try out mountain biking, as well as for those who are ready for the next level of challenge. Camp members will also have a full-access pass to the Sea Otter event, with the ability to meet and learn from mountain biking’s biggest names.
Yoga at the Sea Otter Classic with Ryan Leech
Whether you’re racing, watching, working, exhibiting, or performing, the goal of this class is to charge you up so you’re feeling amazing for the day ahead—loose body, primed muscles, and a clean and clear mind. Nothing too serious, just yoga!
Ride With a Pro
So many demo bikes, so little time. This year at the Sea Otter Classic, not only are you encouraged to take one of the many great demo bicycles out for a spin you can now ride one with your favorite professional mountain or road bike rider. The available schedule details the ride program and the professional cyclist which will lead each ride.
All scheduled rides meet in front of the SRAM booth inside the Sea Otter Expo.
Specialized Gran Fondo, presented by Bicycling Magazine
Gran Fondo, or “Great Endurance” in Italian is a mass-participation riding event that is sweeping Italy and soon to become widely popular in America. In France they are known as “cyclosportives.” A Gran Fondo is a cycling event – not a race – and welcomes riders of all capabilities.
The 2010 Sea Otter Classic will offer three distances to challenge all skill levels. Each participant will receive full support throughout the ride as well as a bag of goodies upon the completion of the ride.
The Specialized Gran Fondo, presented by Bicycling Magazine will take place Saturday, April 17, 2010
Back By Popular Demand
SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone
Assembled by the good folks at College Cyclery, the SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone has all that you need to test a new bike; bumps, berms, jumps and more all for the price of a signed waiver. Open to all ages, the course is available 9 am through 5 pm each event day.
Bike Demos
Join nearly 50,000 bicycle enthusiasts and members of the media for the unparalleled opportunity to see and demo the latest bicycles and accessories on a number of different professionally designed courses, or ride around the Sea Otter Classic and check out the equipment on some of the best riding trails and roads in the country.
To demo a bike, all you need to bring with you: (1) a valid driver’s license, (2) a bicycle helmet, (3) your own pedals if you want to ride something other than platform pedals, and (4) your signature on the Sea Otter Classic liability waiver.
Mountain Bike Tour, presented by Mountain Bike Magazine
Enjoy trails of the BLM Fort Ord Public Lands! The 10-mile and 20-mile loops are both a combination of singletrack and fire road trails. Enjoy a fantastic post-race lunch and the Sea Otter Festival after your ride. There will be one rest stop that serves both distance – for those in need of a mid-ride energy boost. The rest stop will be stocked with CLIF bars, Clif Shots, Cytomax and bananas.
The Mountain Bike Tour, presented by Mountain Bike Magazine will take place Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 9:30 am.
Festival Shows
The Kenda Mike Steidley Professional Mountain Bike Stunt Show Presented By Haro Bicycles
Mike Steidley, multi-time US National Champion and one of the most prolific athletes in the USA, brings his Stunt Show to Sea Otter! Steidley has appeared in more than 23 different countries as well as on the Vans Warped Tour and VW Major Motion Picture Tour with his Mountain Bike Stunt Show. Steidley’s show features an extreme, action-packed presentation of what is possible on a mountain bike followed by an autograph session that often includes free posters, samples, and give-a-ways!
Ryan Leech Trials Demo Shows
Ryan has performed thousands of trials shows all over the world and will be sharing his skills with the public throughout the festival. While chatting to the audience on his wireless mic, he jumps and balances his bike on a custom-built course, demonstrating a variety of skills and techniques that he’s developed throughout his career. Leech has been a pro for more than a decade during which he has appeared in more than 25 feature video segments such as The Collective and Kranked series. www.ryanleech.com
We can hardly believe that anyone could be bored at the Sea Otter Classic and to prove it, the full schedule of events – both competitive and non-competitive – are available online at www.seaotterclassic.com
