Bits and Pieces

Once upon a time we had Interbike, the business-facing trade show in scenic Las Vegas. I attended a couple of times in my early cycling years, wearing the lanyard of a sponsor — or more likely borrowing one from a friend — and coming home with a mountain of stickers and all the swag I could fit in my pockets.

Somewhere around the end days of Interbike, the otherwise meandering Sea Otter Classic began to really take off. In a way I feel like the demise of Interbike is akin to the questionable success of North American bike racing. And by that I mean, there’s an arm’s distance feel to bike racing in the first place. If you’re not “in” then it can be hard to break in. So Interbike was business-facing, as opposed to consumer-facing, which left those who wanted to participate, folks who love cycling and want to see the latest and greatest bits and pieces, off to the sidelines. Sure Interbike eventually introduced the consumer appreciation day, a day in which consumers could walk the show and interact with the exhausted exhibitors who have spent four tiring days talking about their wares; the last thing they want to do at that point is answer to kids like me asking for a sticker. I’m pretty sure Interbike introduced a parking lot crit, which in the afternoon heat of Las Vegas isn’t terribly fun to race nor to spectate. There was Cross-Vegas, which turned out to be decently successful with lots of big names in the domestic and international booming cyclocross scene in attendance. But to race only in front of industry types, as opposed to cycling fans, left much to be desired. Heck, as the years ticked by, I even raced Cross-Vegas.

I’m pretty sure I’m lapping the field in this shot.

Meanwhile Sea Otter is consumer and business facing, which seems like a no brainer. There’s a festival atmosphere along with the trade show. There are deals being made, product being launched, races happening across all disciplines, and companies can talk with any and everyone interested in so-and-so product. Furthermore, despite the occasional sandy windstorm or chilly morning fog, exhibitors are in basking in California’s sunshine, which is the first for many coming out of their northern dwellings (Vermonters included). That is, as opposed to an exhibitor floor in Vegas, one third the size of Rhode Island.

There has been talk of the demise of Tour of California or USA Pro Cycling Classic in part because it was for spectators only. There was no participation element. Meanwhile, Americas most well known gravel and mountain bike racers can be found racing around historic Fort Ord all though the weekend. Ironically, away from spectators because these are such difficult courses to spectate.

Believe it or not, the point of this entry is not to talk about the rise of Sea Otter and the end of Interbike. It’s to mention that there’s a new video podcast out that I did with Bikepacking.com and to mention a really fun podcast I did with Quoc Pham. Give each of those a watch and/or listen and please know I appreciate you following along on this two-wheeled adventure!