Sea Otter 2018

[Michael Koppe]

  For the whole week I felt like I was on the clock and needed to manage every minute. I worked a full day Saturday and woke up at 3:50 AM to make the trip down to Sea Otter. I could finally relax as I warmed up on the raceway track. The temperature was perfect. As I arrived I saw fellow teammates Greg, Paul, and Dave finishing their warm-ups. Sea Otter combines the last 3 groups ( 60-64,65-69,and 70+) which made a group of about 25 riders.(old, older, and oldest) Within my group was Jon Miller, a national champion, and a strong rider from Mexico(national champion?) In my age group the riders tend to know each other and there is never an unknown strong newcomer unless they come from a distance.

  I rode my full suspension Epic which is not the fastest bike but I like the comfort and control. The course was in ideal shape. The single tracks were tacky and fast. I could not keep up with the fast group, but did gain some on the downhill sections. I was a little uncertain of my position, but for awhile I was in probably 3rd or 4th place. I tried to push it on the ruts and sandy sections. I created some gap when we had to push our bikes up the sandy section. At least I can carry a bike uphill faster than most people.

  At mile 20 I noticed I was on the verge of cramping and had to back off. I tried to hydrate and eat and gradually the cramp tendency subsided. Unfortunately I felt a loss of power on the long gradual uphill stretch. Now I wished I had my hardtail. During this section I was passed my two riders in my age group including Paul Zarubin who is always a little faster than me at Downieville.

 I managed to finish without cramps with a time of 2:34 and 6th out of about 10 riders. I think next year I will go back to my hardtail. After a long week it was nice to wander around the venue and relax. I saw a lot of things that I didn't need or understand and except for the chicken BBQ pizza and some shade I managed not to purchase anything.