Plans for Sea Otter and Carson Epic
It may seem early to start making plans for these two races but Sea Otter is the largest bike event in the USA(see photo below) so planning now for your trip and stay is crucial. Info about the race is at Seaotterclassic.com
Our athletes will be racing the morning of Sunday April 23. Pre-rides of the course are open that Friday and Saturday. If you have not been to this event before there are bike events going on all the time from Thursday-Sunday with an extremely large expo area Friday-Sunday that the kids love to walk around, gawk, and make deals on great bike stuff. The intent of the trip is to have a great all around experience and enjoy the venue but we want the athletes to also be well rested for race day as this will be the most competitive race of the year. With that in mind Coaches Kyle and Paul are planning on driving down on Thursday April 20th after school releases, getting to the venue around 9-10pm, and settling in for the night. In this case the athletes would miss school on Friday.
Friday we will pre-ride the race course and the kids can enjoy walking the expo before it gets crowded for the weekend.
Saturday-Easy Ride, very limited expo time as we do not want to kids to be on their feet much. Pre-ride the course for those that did not do it Friday and those that arrived Friday night.
Sunday is race day. After the race we will wash up and return home by 6 to 8pm depending on traffic.
We would like to also focus on building our team relationships and hope that many of the athletes and families will join the coaches and others in camping at the venue. We have reserved 5 spots so far for trailer/tent camping. Please note the camping is in parking lot E on the Sea Otter website. This is a parking lot/no trees overlooking the race track at the bottom of the corkscrew turn. The sites we have accommodate trailers up to 39' and possibly a tent or two on the same spot. We hope to have a spot or two for group meals/hanging out. There are no hookups however there is a shower trailer on site, porta potties, and flush toilets a short 2 minute walk away. Not roughing it but no concierge services either.
Benefits of camping-no driving in or out each day from hotel, no eating at restaurants, ease of access to the expo and race course and of course hanging out with our awesome group. The cost for a site is $240 for three nights (the minimum stay length although some may stay for just Friday and Saturday night). If you aren't up to the camping there are plenty of lodging options in Monterrey/Seaside (more expensive) and Salinas (less expensive). Weather is generally cool in the morning and warm in the day. Fog and rain is a possibility but in five years of going it I have only experience fog twice and no rain. Oops-knock on wood. Coach Kyle has "fond" memories of racing the Pro event in pouring rain in the 90's.
The spots we have booked are 404L through 408L in campground E.
Here is what we would like to know.
Do you want a spot? If yes we can allocate one and collect payment as 5 have been paid for. Or we can direct you to reserve a spot on the website.
OR
Indicate if you'll be coordinating your own hotel lodging. So far we have Kyle, Paul and Garyn Ramos for spots. We can add more than the 5 already booked.
OR
Do you have an athlete that will need to travel to the race with a coach or other parent and will need a place to sleep?
Registration for racing generally does not fill up and can be done at a later date.
If you have questions about the camping or lodging options above please email Kyle or Paul at the email addresses below.
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CARSON EPIC
Early bird registration closes January 7th, go to Epicrides.com. For our athletes there are two possible race dates.
Friday June 16 is the 15 mile ride/race at 3pm. The cost is $45
Saturday June 17 is the 35/45 mile junior race categories in the morning. The cost is $65
Generally the 15 mile ride is suitable for newer riders and middle school age riders.
The 35 or 45 mile races are suitable for experience riders and high school age riders with experience although we have some middle school riders who may have the experience for the longer Saturday race. Please contact coaches Kyle or Paul if you have any questions about what you should enter if there is any doubt.
Please note: The Carson Epic will sell out. If you wait to register you will be left out. Last year the race sold out and had over 100 riders on a waiting list that did not get in.
As always...email at kyledixoncoach@hotmail.com
or paul at p.miers@yahoo.com with any questions.
Kyle and Paul
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