Now in its 35th year, the Sea Otter Classic is North America's largest cycling festival, drawing over 74,000 attendees, more than 1,000 exhibiting brands and hosting 12 amateur and elite races across road and off-road disciplines. Held on and around the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, this year’s coverage continues with another tech highlights, written by North American Editor Anne-Marije Rook. Read Tyler Boucher's Part 1 here and don't miss the recap of the opening round of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix.
I’ve been coming to the Sea Otter Classic on and off for the past 12 years, yet pedaling along 17 Mile Drive, the stunning stretch of road that connects Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, never gets old. This winding, ocean-side road feels like riding through a living postcard. To the west, salty sea air rustles the cypress trees and sweeps across patches of purple wildflowers clinging to the rugged cliffs while waves crash violently below. To the east, meticulously kept golf courses give way to quiet forests and luxury estates. Seagulls cry overhead, and as you roll through Pacific Grove, deer often wander across the path. Strava tells me I’ve ridden this route 17 times already, and still, I look forward to it every single year.
