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New Gear/ Expo |
The Experience |
Racing |
Sea Otter 2008
words and pictures by Jason Van Horn
If you haven’t been there yet, mark next year’s Sea Otter Classic on your calendar. For those of us living in the California Bay Area, and our close proximity to Monterey, there really isn’t an excuse. Even if you aren’t into racing, there is a ton of stuff to do and see. There are skills clinics, rides, kids areas, bike demos, and skills exhibitions from the best in the sport. One of the biggest draws of Sea Otter every year is the expo. Many manufacturers save unveiling the cool stuff for this weekend. Trek used the weekend to unveil their new Session DH/FR platform the first first time to the general public. There were numberous video premiers. There are tons of things to do, and things to see. If you know where to go, once the afternoon hits, there is always beer flowing. Its good times all over.
My favorite thing about sea otter is running into old friends and acquaintances that have dispersed all over the country. Sea Otter is the one event that the industry always makes it to. It makes the expo and industry turnout to the Infineon event later in the season look pathetic in comparison.
Unfortunately, with it being early in the season, the weather can be pretty iffy year to year. Last year it was rainy, cold and wet. Fortunately, we were spared that misery this year. However, this year wind was the new nemesis. Those prepared donned their goggles and covered their face. I wish I had come a bit more prepared- hours later, I was still picking dirt out of my eyes. In addition to that folly, I foolishly chose to travel to the event via motorbike - and the ride home on a motorcycle was sketchy as hell. Thanks to the wind, I was almost blown off the road several times.
Whining aside, there was a lot to do, and a lot to see. My first stop: the expo to check out new gear.