I landed a day early in SF and got to play tourist, then Josh and Pete picked me up at the hotel and gave me the West Coast education on the way to Sea Otter… Someday I’ll get those boys down South where snakes, gators and swamps have a whole new meaning.

The event was rain free, so I can’t call it the Sea Water this year. But the wind…

It was good to see our newly sponsored CRC/Intense and Team America teams in action. During the weekend, we were busy getting the teams familiar with the Double Barrel. It’s a great information feast. Each rider brings a different twist to how they want their own shock set up. It’s really different what the World Cup riders want a shock to do compared to what I want out of the shock. In simple terms, I don’t and won’t ever reach their level of speed and sheer aggression they put the shock through.

Also got to see the dual slalom practice and finals… where I got the What The Flip Am I Doing Here? award for standing on a hillside while being wind- and sand-blasted into a sand sculpture. (Note: Above photo not actually from Sea Otter, but it might as well be.)

If you made it by the Cane Creek tent you would have seen the Gold sprints going off. Basically pedal ’till you puke against your rival. Murphy and Ian had those poor souls in the palm of their hands. Oh, and thanks to Chuey for the hats.

Pete and Paul installed plenty of 110 headset upgrades during the 3 days. It was good to see the riders turn out for that one.