MONTEREY, Calif. Open up the December issue of Men's Journal to read part two of Joe Lindsey's practically surgical examination of cycling's most notorious doping scandals and realize that this is no longer news. The guy who's NOT doping will be the next big thing. Luckily professional racing is but one factor of cycling and dopers-be-damned, there is still a lot more good, clean fun to be had in this sport than not. No one understands this better and nowhere is this more obvious than at the Sea Otter Classic, where participants have their pick of activities to suit all ages and abilities.

There's no shortage of things to see and do at Sea Otter for cycling's next generation photo: brightroom.com

"Sea Otter's events plus its venue have helped to create an environment free of 'you can't please everyone' cliches," said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO of the Sea Otter Classic. "The sheer variety of activities offered up at Sea Otter are intent on intriguing, engaging and entertaining the spectrum of participants who come to ride, race, relax, test, and tame their curiosity."

Starting Saturday, April 14 with Mountain Bike Magazine's Off-Road Tours, riders get a chance to ride some new trails on either a 10 or 20-mile loop through the Fort Ord Bureau of Land Management Area. The shorter loop of 10 miles is a combination of fire road with a bit of singletrack and is ideally suited for beginning off road riders. More experienced off road riders can choose the 20-mile loop with extra sweet singletrack to enjoy the pristine terrain exclusive to Fort Ord. Either distance includes plenty of rest stops and on-trail assistance.

Bicycling Magazine's ever-popular Road Bike Tours get underway Sunday morning, April 15 at 7 am with a 100-mile century ride through the scenic backroads of Monterey and the Salinas Valley or a shorter, 15-mile option on the closed roads of Fort Ord. On either route, riders will enjoy well-appointed rest stops and SAG support. Plus, top pro athletes and coaches will be riding along offering riding tips to all participants.

Kid's 12 and under can ride either tour for free when accompanied by an adult. All riders will enjoy a delicious post-ride BBQ and prize drawings where kids under 12 ride and eat free if accompanied by an adult.

To sign up for Sea Otter's Mountain Bike Tours, visit: http://www.seaotterclassic.com/index.cfm/recreational_events_mountain_bike.htm

To sign up for Bicycling Magazine's Road Bike Tours, visit: http://www.seaotterclassic.com/index.cfm/recreational_events_road_bike_tours.htm

For sure you'll need something with wheels to get worn-out kids home at the end of the day photo: brightroom.com

A good night's sleep guaranteed

Fussy parents who struggle to keep their kids entertained with projects that don't come out of a box or fit on a TV screen should prepare to be bowled over by the quantity of events open to all ages at the Sea Otter Classic. Sea Otter's safe, restricted-access environment should provide additional peace of mind to parents anxious to provide kids with a chance at a little controlled freedom. A few of Sea Otter's "crown jewel" events: BMX shows, the Sea Otter Egg Hunt, Kids Rodeo, and BikeSkills Ride Zone should succeed in keeping kids engaged and entertained, and will undoubtedly deliver exhausted kids to grateful parents at the end of each day.

"I, as a parent, like to see my kids get involved with exercise and being in the outdoors," said Vicky Duke, whose sons, ages 12 and 14, are regulars at Sea Otter. "Sea Otter gets them stoked up to be outside riding their mountain bikes. They meet their friends there, it's a big area to cover and by the time they get back to the car, they're pretty beat but it gets them excited and that usually spills over afterward for about two months."

"It's great that they take their bikes out there and participate in the Kids' Bike Rodeo," said Colleen Meyenberg about her nine-year-old twin sons, David and Andrew. "To have them see all those young athletes warming up before racing, the racers are great role models."

As always, Sea Otter offers FREE entry for Kids 12 and under!

The gates will be flung open to participants starting Thursday, April 12 at 8 am and from that point on until the sun sets on Sunday, participants are encouraged to seek out events that inspire and challenge them. Here are a few ideas to get started:

Bike Skills Ride Area
The SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone hosted by Bikeskills is a riders' playground where kids of all ages can play on jumps and learn tricks appropriate to their size and skills. Pros will be on hand to teach younger kids some new tricks while ladders, rails, teeter-totters, and berms will be set up for experienced riders.

Time: Thursday through Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm

Entry: Free for kids 12 and under!

BMX Shows
The GT BMX Team returns to the Sea Otter Classic with BMX demos that will wow you and the kids. This professional team travels all over the country with their best X-Game style tricks. Watch their flips, jumps, quarter-pipe and half-pipe tricks and be amazed!

Time: Shows continuous throughout the event

While you're walking around the Village, check out these live shows!

GT/Mongoose stunt show times TBD

Trials Demos
Watch Trials riders hop off the obstacles, jump up onto barrels, do track stands, and other amazing tricks. Then go try them yourself in the SRAM MTB Ride Zone!

Sea Otter Egg Hunt
Skipper the Sea Otter hosts this event for children 8 and under! Your little ones will love to have the chance on their own to "compete" for prizes, as they search for eggs "hidden" around the lawn! Due to popular demand, the Sea Otter Egg Hunt will take place on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday this year!

Time: Friday, Saturday AND Sunday at 10 am

Entry: Free for children 8 and under!

Kids Carnival
With so many events, you may be getting tired-but chances are, your kid's aren't! Enter the Kid's Carnival, the single solution to parents' need for rest and kids' need to play, play, play. Housed on a soft grassy field amongst the Exhibitor tents, the Carnival offers huge, inflated bouncing structures, a climbing wall, interactive games and more. Parents can comfortably lounge while keeping an eye on junior burning off his rocket fuel. The Carnival is free to kids 12 and under and open everyday from 8am-5pm.

Kids' Bike Rodeo
Hosted by the Napa County Sherriff's Office

The more fun your kids have on a bicycle, the more they will want to ride! Let your kids ride bicycles with us and we will help instill basic safety rules and teach them how to set up their bikes. The Kids Bike Rodeo promises to be as much fun as it is educational - for you AND your family! Due to popular demand, the Kids Bike Rodeo will take place on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday this year!

Time: Friday, Saturday AND Sunday at 11 am

Entry: Free for children 12 and under!

The Schoolyard
The "Schoolyard" will feature repair stations, a tool-loan kiosk and a chance to attend repair/maintenance clinics taught by professional mechanics. Junior cyclists now have a cost-free space to work on their bikes, hang or meet up with friends and competitors. This is an adult-free zone for kids!

About Sea Otter Classic LLC
The 17th Annual Sea Otter Classic will be held April 12 - 15, 2007 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA. The four-day 'Celebration of Sport' is considered the world's largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans. The Cypress Youth Fund is the Sea Otter Classic's philanthropic arm. The Fund provides funding to organizations that benefit their communities in the areas of youth, sport, education, and environment. More information can be found at www.seaotterclassic.com or by calling 800-218-8411.

###