Sea Otter Downhill- do they clean up the course?

yeah they spend a couple weeks working on it with a handfull of builders.

MMMMMMmmmm... Sea Otter DH...

...delicious like a sammich with pork, bacon, and ham...

I think they clean it up a bit. I cant wait for it this year. No crashing this time. Hoping for top 15 this time around in Sport 19-whatever.

I am going to be trying it for the first time this year. How were your expirences last year?

It was a lot of fun. It was REALLY muddy last year though. Hopefully better this year.

Agreed.

Guys on big bikes didn't fair too well last year.

Hopefully the big bikes will get some fun this year.

I doubt it, I still only have a big bike for racing, I guess we will see

Is it worth it to camp out? Or is it better to stay at a motel?

Red Rabbit said:

Is it worth it to camp out? Or is it better to stay at a motel?

Click to expand...

if you want to camp you better get one the reservations now. usually it is packed.

I do the hotel thing, two reasons

1. not a drinker anymore and it is pretty hard to sleep in a mardi gras tent city.

2. if the weather sucks you dont suffer, plus I like a hot shower after practice and a little boob tube.

this year should be alot better i raced Sea Otter for my first time in 2000 and it was so different then you could park at the bottom of the course and there were only like 30 or so guys in each category but after 2001 i took a break it got so crazy now there is like 4 or 500 people and you have to park way far away. So if you have family with you it can be a bit challenging so get there early.

i have gone to Sea Otter every year since 2000 and it gets better each year. Hotel is the best way to go..... but you better book now. some tips if you dont mind driving in a little stay in SeaSide its alot cheaper

or you can be a dork like me and stay on Cannerey row $$$$ hey got to keep the family happy...

have fun everyone.

If I camp in a tent, what do I do about my bike, Of course it would be in the tent with me, but how do I lock it. I don't want to leave it on the roofrack overnight. I will be bringing a XC and DH bike were do i lock up one while i ride the other?

thats another reason I stay inthe hotel, when I have 8 grand worth of bikes, its nice to bring them into the hotel room with ya.

But hotels/motels are so expensive. What do tent campers do toprotect there bikes?

marcm said:

some tips if you dont mind driving in a little stay in SeaSide its alot cheaper

Click to expand...

Marina is also pretty cost effective.

Or you could ask a CSUMB student if you can shack up with them for a bit...

Is it worth it to race XC?

Red Rabbit said:

Is it worth it to race XC?

Click to expand...

Seems like you've never done a Sea Otter before. You should definitely go and check it out. I've been to every Sea Otter since 1996 through 2005.

Race only the 1 event you most want to do. Don't waste your money and time doing a bunch of races. By the end of the weekend, Sea Otter is all about making friends, seeing cool new bikes, and watching the pro's go incredibly fast.

So do go, race in the 1 event you have the most enthusiasum for, bring some friends, and have fun.

Oh, if your camping, just bring a bike lock and lock your bike to your car. It's a mountain bike, a little water won't hurt it. Besides, sitting in the rain for a night or two isn't nearly as destructive as racing in the rain for 5 minutes. Camping is sweet because you get to meet so many other riders, and there is such a party atmosphere you can really just chill out the whole time.

See ya there!

Camping rocks, but if it's wet it may suck to be in a tent. I sleep in my car. One year we had a separate tent for bikes and tools and we just locked all the bikes (4 or 5) together. Last year I had them locked to my bumper with 2 different locks so if anyone attempted to steal them I would hear them anyway.

Hey Rabbit - nobody wants to steal your bike, OK? I have passed out there drunk and had to find some other campsite where I left my rig the dirt the next AM. No problem.

& of course they groom the course. It's good and hacked up after practice though, but no shubberies could survive that.

Backpack1 said:

Hey Rabbit - nobody wants to steal your bike, OK? I have passed out there drunk and had to find some other campsite where I left my rig the dirt the next AM. No problem.

& of course they groom the course. It's good and hacked up after practice though, but no shubberies could survive that.

Click to expand...

Really? I know someone who had his V-10 stolen near the start gates while waiting for his race run.

I would use caution while at Sea Otter. There is so many people there that you should lock up your bikes when you are not around, and keep an eye on it when you are.

sorry to hear that......I am generally trusting but would murk a fool i saw stealing a bike.

best hotel to stay at is The Motel 6 in South salinas. 15 minute drive from da laguna and there's a dennys right next to it. i;ve been staying there for the past 2 years and Its good times.

sanjuro said:

Really? I know someone who had his V-10 stolen near the start gates while waiting for his race run.

I would use caution while at Sea Otter. There is so many people there that you should lock up your bikes when you are not around, and keep an eye on it when you are.

Click to expand...

yep. he sat his bike down for just a couple of minutes to watch some friends race and when he walked back up to start his bike was gone.

i would definitely take some extra precautions at sea otter locking up your bike.... even if it's just to sit it down for a minute or two.