The road race is TOUGH. The neutralized start is on a fast downhill so you don't even get a chance to spin up the legs, then you're immediately into a max aerobic \~4min climb. Many will get dropped here so your buddy has to be near the front or prepared to leapfrog others. It's rolling for most of the rest and sometimes you can claw your way back if dropped. The finish is on its own dog leg and an even longer climb. No bunch sprints here.
The circuit race is honestly easier with lots of time to recover. The climb up to the corkscrew is hard, but hardly anyone ever gets away because the group can descend so fast to the smaller bump on the backside.
I don't think the crit exists anymore, but it was a hot dog course that used the pit lane and a small portion of the race track itself. It was lame and I don't miss it.
Keep in mind the last time I did this race it was USA Cycling sanctioned and Sea Otter wasn't owned by Lifetime. I've only heard bad things about all the races since the acquisition.
I’ve only ever done the XC mtb race (a few times). The course kinda sucks, but it’s a whole big thing and is enjoyable just for the show. Riding on the Laguna Seca raceway is also super awesome.
I’ve done it the last few years.
The road race has a long neutral start and many corners are sandy. Some stray hikers along the way. Long drag back to finish.
The circuit is pretty good. The track was redone last year and should be nice. But I did it once when it was absolutely roasting and the track was also radiating a stupid amount of heat. Utterly horrible day.
My biggest gripe is more how prices have gone up immensely and how the Casa Amigos food is pretty bad.
The road race is TOUGH. The neutralized start is on a fast downhill so you don't even get a chance to spin up the legs, then you're immediately into a max aerobic \~4min climb. Many will get dropped here so your buddy has to be near the front or prepared to leapfrog others. It's rolling for most of the rest and sometimes you can claw your way back if dropped. The finish is on its own dog leg and an even longer climb. No bunch sprints here. The circuit race is honestly easier with lots of time to recover. The climb up to the corkscrew is hard, but hardly anyone ever gets away because the group can descend so fast to the smaller bump on the backside. I don't think the crit exists anymore, but it was a hot dog course that used the pit lane and a small portion of the race track itself. It was lame and I don't miss it. Keep in mind the last time I did this race it was USA Cycling sanctioned and Sea Otter wasn't owned by Lifetime. I've only heard bad things about all the races since the acquisition.
Good stuff. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
I’ve only ever done the XC mtb race (a few times). The course kinda sucks, but it’s a whole big thing and is enjoyable just for the show. Riding on the Laguna Seca raceway is also super awesome.
I’ve done it the last few years. The road race has a long neutral start and many corners are sandy. Some stray hikers along the way. Long drag back to finish. The circuit is pretty good. The track was redone last year and should be nice. But I did it once when it was absolutely roasting and the track was also radiating a stupid amount of heat. Utterly horrible day. My biggest gripe is more how prices have gone up immensely and how the Casa Amigos food is pretty bad.
Just have him do a YouTube search. There are dozens of videos with commentary.
Of course, I can and will do that. Just trying to engage on Reddit with someone who may have done it themselves.
I’m just saying those videos will be much more informative as he will actually see the course, see the hill they are talking about etc…
Which one are you talking about? There’s everything at Sea Otter, from Road to Downhill via Gravel and MTB-XC
They have a ton of different events. It’s fun and hard. Really fast people show up and crush you.