Nearly 20 years ago some 350 mountain bikers congregated to race cross-country and dual slalom at the Laguna Seca Challenge. The events of that 1991 weekend eventually grew into the Sea Otter Classic, which this year will host multiple thousands of racers competing in the widest range of disciplines of any event in North America.
Just outside Monterey, California, Sea Otter kicked off Thursday with criteriums on the Laguna Seca racetrack, plus dual slalom and downhill practice and qualifying runs. On tap over the four-day weekend are pro and amateur road races, circuit races, cross-country, short track, downhill, dual slalom, super D and more.
Sea Otter organizers claim last year’s event drew 9,500 race entries and some 50,000 spectators over the four-day weekend. Similar numbers are expected this year… Details