Folding bike aficionados to race for first time at Laguna Seca
he Brompton World Championships are coming to Sea Otter, and it’s the first time in the event will be held on the West Coast. The folding bike races, which have been held for 10 years in several countries worldwide, typically draw more than 100 “Bromptoneers.” The race features a Le Mans-style
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start and requires participants to quickly unfold their Brompton folding bike before leaving the start line, will be held on Friday, April 15, at 5 p.m. Racers will ride five laps totaling 10 miles. Racers are also required to dress in
their finest cycling attire, which might include slacks, a tie and sport coats for the men and pantsuits and dresses for the ladies. No Lycra is allowed unless it’s covered completely. “The dress code is a nod to the
history of Brompton as a commuting bike, a tongue-in-cheek approach,” said Nate Prescott, marketing coordinator for Brompton USA. “There were some un- believable outfits last year in Richmond. One woman rode in a big hoop skirt and bonnet. It’s super fun to watch.” Categories including fastest male
and female, fastest veteran, fastest team and best dressed will be awarded
Electric mountain bike racing to make US debut
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Racers come out in their finest attire for the Brompton World Championships folding bike race.
prizes, with the top man and woman winning a flight to England this summer to participate in the Brompton World Championship Finals. “Most people come out for the
festivity, but some people really make it competitive. The bikes can move pretty quickly, and showing their maneuver- ability is another reason we came up with the event,” Prescott said. Brompton will also have its collec-
tion of folding bikes, along with its new luggage and bag line, on display at Sea Otter in Booth 750.
mong its many firsts over the years, Sea Otter is hosting the first official electric mountain bike race in the U.S. on
Friday. The one-hour race kicks off at 4 p.m. Sea Otter has built a 1.5-mile loop on the “swale” with
singletrack trail and other terrain, and including challenging climbs and descents. The start/finish line is near the Dual Slalom.
“I think we’re going to get a lot of interest, and I think
we’re going to have a good field,” Sea Otter co-founder Frank Yohannan said. “This is the first time in the U.S. for this.” Men and women can compete in several age categories.
Race sponsors Bosch and Haibike are also hosting a $5,000 “Industry Challenge” category for bike industry members. Whoever completes the most laps in 60 minutes will get to donate the $5,000 to a local trail-building charity of their choice.
Despite their unwelcome status on many U.S. public lands, e-mountain bikes are booming in Europe. “E-MTB racing already exists in many forms in Europe,
from short races, relays and 24-hour races to enduro,” said Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. “Why? Because it is exhilarating, physically demanding, and mountain bikers love it.”
“Hopefully, including the e-MTB race at a large event such
as Sea Otter will help start the conversation with riders and highlight the benefits of e-MTBs for both new and discerning riders,” said Katie Sue Gruener of Specialized, which is debut- ing its Turbo Levo line of e-mountain bikes at Sea Otter.
De first real direct drive
“The NEO Smart is the ideal trainer: controllable via various devices and software, quiet and very powerful and accurate. The NEO plays an important role during my preparations for this season.” Alberto Contador
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APRIL 14-17, 2016
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