Muse back!
April 15, 2007 / Sunday
Sea Otter Classic 2007
After having our Saturday Sea Otter plans rained on, Aaron and I headed out early to squeeze in a short visit today instead. It meant having to get up at 7:30 on a Sunday, but it was well worth it.
Last year, we covered the event by foot, and spent a lot more time walking than anything else. This year, we smartened up and brought our bikes, which made getting around tons easier. We zipped from events to vendors to other events to open tracks and courses. We spent less time there than last year, but managed to do a lot more.
And what did we do?
We started off with a trip through the vendor area. Aaron checked out bike parts while I had a chat with some helmet cam folks. Then we headed over to watch the invitational dirt jump contest. People doing tricks in the air, always fun. I took some pictures and made a video. Hello, new camera!
We then headed over to watch some of the PRO/Semi-Pro Downhill finals. People bombing down hills, also fun. I took more pictures.
Aaron mentioned that he wanted to ride on the track, so we headed over there after a while. It looked like half the track was open for warmups and demos, so we pedaled on in. Not having driven Laguna Seca before, I wasn't sure where on the track we were, but when I reached a corner that seemed to drop off to nowhere, I had a pretty good idea. Aaron confirmed that I was indeed at the Corkscrew. The Corkscrew! How exciting! I rode down it, then back up, and, of course, took a bunch of pictures.
While we were on the track, I noticed a large number of super fit women riding by on their mountain bikes. As it turns out, they were warming up for the women's PRO/Elite Cross Country race. We made it to the starting area at just the right time, and I was able to get a video of the start.
After that, up the hill to the Dual Slalom course, an event which ended the day before, so it was open for riding. I was feeling hungry and tired by then, and given the fact that I was sick and had a hockey game in a few hours I didn't want to ride up the hill to reach the start. Aaron rode up and did the course while I ate a muffin and watched. Then he came back and insisted that I ride the course too, for "the experience". He was right; when else would I get to ride a competition dual slalom course? Up the hill I went, and down the course I came. Holy crap, that was scary! Scary, but fun. :)
My highlight of the day, however, was meeting the Sea Otter. I asked if it was THE Sea Otter, and it nodded yes. Oh, goodie!
April 15, 2007 07:36 PM | Bicycle
Comments
great shots! looks like it was a blast.
Posted by: heather at April 16, 2007 08:23 AM
It was! I wasn't sure if I'd get to go due to school and weather, but I'm really glad we made it!
Posted by: Viv at April 16, 2007 10:41 AM