The season opener, every year, thousands of cyclists actually between 50 and 70 000 cyclists (road, mountain, xc and downhill) all come out to share winter stories and a true love of the two wheeled units.

Vendors and industry types alike have been starved for new products, movie premiers are shown and racing throughout N. America is just getting underway. This then is the Sea Otter classic, the first joining of the year of all cyclists from this continent and others to celebrate once again, the bicycle.

With a conflict in the World Cup Schedule and many of the top xc racers away this year I was a little bummed that I wouldn’t be able to catch up with some of my long time cronies, but at the end of the day, being the resilient fellow that I am I knew it would be a great event anyway.

Thursday evening arrived and Wade and I were settled into our lovely Holiday Inn Express overlooking the Sea Side Lagoon, let the games begin, for that is truly how I see life. Dinner out on Thursday with some friends I haven’t seen in awhile, down to the Crown and Anchor and wouldn’t you know it if it ain’t all the best industry people having a night cap before the real work began.

Friday started with an early morning ride out with some industry types, shoot the breeze meet some new people and of course network, make deals and plan for the future. No time for breakfast or lunch, then I rode straight up to the venue and the great game of walk and talk begins. In this years new capacity as Media Agent for Rocky Mountain Bicycles and Marketing Director for BC Bike Race I am lucky to be working more closely with Wade Simmons. We make an odd couple, he the ‘godfather’ of freeride, and me the XC-Epic Lycra guy. By the time the day was over, I was sun burnt, wind burnt, tired and hungry, but no time to stop.

It was dinner with Crankbrothers, whose super cool Joplin post I have been enjoying lately, and then off to the Premier of Season’s the Collective’s (http://www.thecollectivefilm.com/index.html) new film –Amazing as always.

Saturday I have to admit to being a little groggy on the get go, Wade and I were trying to decide when and how we could get some exercise in, but well and truly knowing that it would be unlikely. Up at the venue things were really heating up, races and events going off, people milling about and catching up and it all seems like a big party, just these people like to party on bikes. That afternoon we almost napped and then it was time to go, dividing our forces we would later reunite at the Crown and Anchor, like a ship lost in the night this lighthouse would guide us in.

Sunday arrived and yet again it was time to sally forth and get wind swept and sun burnt at the festival of the “Otter”. Rocky Mountain had a demo booth www.rockydemotour.com and we were keen to work with our co-workers to promote the brand. It wasn’t the best venue, but being the positive crew that we are we made the most of it. As the season opener it allowed a lot of planning from all ends, we took advantage of this and are all looking forward to a fun, successful season.

And that would usually be the end of the Sea Otter story, but there is more here this time; we had a Dirt Series www.dirtseries.com camp to do the following weekend, so we were on an extended road trip, Wade and Dre’s excellent California Adventure.

Monday – Ride Santa Cruz with some good ol pals from Pink Bike and Trailhead Cycles San Jose-http://www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-santacruz-ride-2008.html

Tuesday – Ride Mark Weirs Pump track with some good ol pals, Matt Hunter, Daine Zaiffke and Mark Weir. Ride Novato and drive 7 hours south.

Wednesday –Ride in Ohji where I got poison oak, then a clinic with Adrenalin Cycles.

Thursday –Ride with Richard Cunningham of Mountain Bike Action, the legend.

Friday –Visit Crankbrothers and Ride with Bike Magazine.

Saturday – Dirt Series, having fun and learning with some rad people- Good times

Sunday – Dirt Series, having fun, but getting way tired and home Monday

Exhausted but happy with the 12 days of work, Wade flew home Monday at 5 am and left Tuesday for Europe, I got 5 days at home and am off to Mexico to Guide a trip with Big Mountain Adventure www.ridebig.com, this Mexico trip should be out shortly in a magazine near you.

Take Care

Dre