Northern California - Thinking about racing Sea Otter next year...

I decided some time ago that I would not race motorcycles ever again. Possibly eliminate competition on two wheels altogether. Well, I got a wild hair and decided that I would like to aim for the Sea Otter XC race as a n00b Cat3 rider.

Anybody race this as beginner? Experiences?

My brother has been racing MTB's forever, but the last time he did the Sea Otter as a beginner was a LONG time ago, so he's no help, other than to tell me to STFU, lose weight and just do it. :lol:

I did the Sea Otter MTB tour ride (same course as the XC race, just no timing) and a buddy did the XC race. I will probably do the XC race next year as well. Lots of hills on the XC course, plenty of singletrack, but also a good bit of fire roads. Unless it rains shortly before the race, the course is dry, somewhat dusty, and some good sandy areas as well. Very little mud.

Monterey/Salinas weather is somewhat unpredictable, so it could be quite cold (40's and damp) or quite warm (80's and sunny)

I think a hardtail would be the ideal bike, of course, I ride a 29er hardtail, so maybe I'm biased, but I don't really see a need for a full suspension on the Fort Ord trails.

yeah, I forgot about the bottlenecks, but really any XC course with enough singletrack is going to have bottlenecks.

I did Otter as a beginner year before last. Lots of sand. The only part that vexed me (I'm a crappy bike handler) was the very first big down-hill; the fire road is wide open and steep but there are these burms you have to go over. My back wheel was far more motivated to win than my front wheel, it seemed, and I kept coming within inches of endo-ville.
Overall experience was really good and the length of the course and variability of the terrain made it the most fun I've had racing a mountain bike.
Good practice for you would be to do some of the CCCX races that run in Fort Ord; the sandy terrain (for me at least) takes practice.

... other than to tell me to STFU, lose weight and just do it. :lol:

Sage advice :D

I jumped in and raced See Slaughter several times. Missed last year due to work, but did it several years in a row before that. Garnering top ten spots.

Pre-ride the course, get use to riding in sand pits for there are several. There's also a sandy downhill section that throws everyone off the bike. Get a lot of practice on that one. If you know how to ski powder, you should do fine.

Get power in the legs for the hill climbs, they can be a bit brutal if you're out of shape. And you will definitely need something in reserve for the last long climb out. This is where the men & women are separated from the boys and girls.

Get plenty of liquids in you, as well as gel. Don't forget to use it or you might cramp.

Above all else, have fun. It's kinda cool knowing that on a Friday afternoon, you're out there humping your butt on a trail w/ hundreds of other like minded souls, while the rest of the fatty nation is enjoying their Friday afternoon cocktails.

Good ruck,

BR

I would suggest trying a MTB race or two before showing up at Sea Otter, it attracts large & strong fields. I speak from experience as my one and only MTB race was SO XC.

Actually, F that...just do it and have fun, it's MTB'ing after all.

I would suggest trying a MTB race or two before showing up at Sea Otter, it attracts large & strong fields. I speak from experience as my one and only MTB race was SO XC.

Actually, F that...just do it and have fun, it's MTB'ing after all.

LOL. YUP!

I will definetely be in the race for last place. I know that the last place field will be strong, but I know I can win it.

I just want to try it. I'm not ultra competetive like I used to be, I just want to have fun like Cindy Lauper.