Rock the Sea Otter Classic with These Tips
If you’re one of the thousands of cycling fan heading out to Laguna Seca Recreational Area in Monterey, California, next week for the 26th Sea Otter Classic bike expo, consider yourself lucky. The outdoor bike festival celebrates all kinds of cycling, and between checking out the new product launches from the companies you love to watching every kind of race imaginable, from criterium to downhill mountain biking, you’re in for a fun few days… And that’s all before you add in demoing the sweet bikes that are available for shredding.
However, Sea Otter Classic can be a little overwhelming and intimidating for newcomers to the event, though, so to get you prepped for it, we put together a list of some of our best Sea Otter Survival tips.
Plan Your Strategy
Sea Otter is a multi-day event with hundreds of races going on, hundreds of pro cyclist appearances happening, and so many booths in the expo that it’s easy to miss something. So before you get there, take a few minutes on the Sea Otter website and look at the expo map, noting where your favorite companies are. Check out the schedule as well, to see if there are any demos, group rides or races that are on your must-do list. And download the Arcivr app beforehand so you can keep track of the rad stuff going on throughout the day (and add some of your own adventures as well). The last thing you want to do is be standing in the middle of the busy expo with cyclists riding past you in every direction as you struggle to search for the Focus tent on a huge map that’s blowing in the breeze, while you drain your phone’s battery downloading new apps on-site. A little planning makes this event so much more rewarding!
Pack Right
The Laguna Seca raceway is almost always dusty, at least a little windy, and often pretty darn hot and sunny. Come prepared for that with plenty of sunscreen and some sunglasses (and a hat if you sunburn easily). The temperature dips as the sun starts to set, so if you’re planning on an all-day stay, pack at least a light layer to bundle up in if the temperature drops. But expect it to be hot and plan accordingly. Having cash on hand helps with faster food (and beer tent) buys, so carrying a few bucks versus just a card is highly recommended. Lastly, a tote or empty backpack is a great idea, because you never know what swag you’ll end up carrying home with you.
Keep Track of the Fun Stuff
New, exciting events are constantly popping up at Sea Otter, and something that may have looked lame on the calendar might actually be super-cool in real life. When you need a break from walking around, find a seat and scroll through the Sea Otter feed on Arcivr to see what’s happening, and get some behind-the-scenes looks at the racers who are on-site, plus get an idea of what some of the most knowledgable people in the cycling industry think is worth checking out. With so many new product launches, you don’t want to miss the next big thing because you were just wandering aimlessly around the venue!
Demo A Bike
Even if you’re not a super-skilled rider, you can still enjoy demoing some of the bikes available at Sea Otter. A lot of the brands, like Liv, will hold beginner-specific group rides with demo bikes, led by pros. Don’t be shy about signing up for a few of these events. If you’re a confident rider, demo a few bikes on your own time, enjoying some of the rad trails around Laguna Seca. The road and mountain biking is great in the area, so whatever type of riding you’re into, there’s a chance to try a new bike out. And if you’re bringing the kids, check the schedule of events for kiddie demos — often there are quite a few happening on the tiny pump track in the expo area, and it’s both adorable to watch and fun for the kids.
Share the Fun
Don’t just watch what other people are posting — use Arcivr to share where you’re at and what you think is cool. And when you see a pro racer you love, go ahead and get that photo with him or her, and share it with the world! It’s a super simple upload process, and you’ll get to share your photos with hundreds of other cycling-crazed fans.
Swag It Up
Take advantage of giveaways and happy hours while you’re at Sea Otter. This is your chance to sample those new ride bars or sports drinks you’ve been reading about without buying a box. It’s also a chance to stock up on stickers and beer cozies, if that’s what you’re into. Autographs from your favorite pros are easy to come by, and there are hundreds of raffles you could enter to win huge prizes. And seriously — take advantage of testing new sports drinks. Laguna Seca is hot and dry, and if you’re not careful to stay hydrated, you may end the day feeling pretty crappy.
Do Something Different
If you’re just there to check out one specific brand or go to one specific event, challenge yourself to try something new. Check out at least one road and one mountain bike event — the racers really appreciate the cheering — and check out one brand you’ve never heard of before. You might find a new favorite racer or bike!
Now get out there, have a blast, and don’t forget to tell us all about it!
