When people think about Subaru and racing, they usually think of a tricked out WRX or STI spraying mud and setting records on a rally track. While it's true that Subaru makes a mean rally car, that’s not the type of racing that has most folks excited this month. This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Subaru Sea Otter Classic!
Calling the Sea Otter Classic just a race isn't really fair. It's regarded by many as “the world’s premier cycling festival”. Over 75,000 people attend the Sea Otter Classic as competitors or fans to compete in a number of mountain bike and road bike races, as well as non-timed recreational rides.
The festival features races that span the spectrum of mountain and road biking including cyclocross, criterium, dual slalom, downhill, cross country, and more. These races are for serious athletes who travel from all over the world to compete. However, the festival isn't just for elite athletes. There’s also the recreational Gran Fondo event.
Gran Fondo means “great endurance” and is designed for friends and family to have fun and enjoy the ride. There’s one for mountain bikes and one for road bikes, so you can take your pick or ride on both! Although it's recreational, the Gran Fondo can still be a great challenge for those not looking to get into the fray of a competitive race.
In addition to the races and Gran Fondo events, there are a number of cycling exhibitions and demos to round out the festival experience. There are even non-cycling activities, like yoga, to enjoy, but it's very much a bike-heavy gathering. The Subaru Sea Otter Classic is definitely the place to be if you love cycling.
This year’s festival takes place from April 16th - 19th, in Monterey, California where it got its start 25 years ago. A lot has changed since the first meet in 1991 when there were only 350 athletes and 150 spectators. If you aren’t able to check out the Sea Otter Classic this year, you should definitely make plans to be there in the future!
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