The eMTB Race

2026 general registration is now open: register here! 

Onsite registration at the event starts on Wednesday, April 16, 2026 at noon. Event registration closes at 6:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled event. If you have pre-registered, you can pick up your event number on event day – up to 60 minutes prior to event start time. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. 

Registered athletes must pick up your race number in person (must have current, valid PHOTO ID). Pick up your race packet, complimentary 4-day Festival Pass, and purchase event merchandise at Athlete Registration.

• Race course support
• Complimentary parking 
• (1) Complimentary 4-day Festival Pass (if you sign up for multiple events, you will still only receive 1 wristband for the weekend)
• Complimentary post-ride showers 
• Secure bag drop
• Secure bike valet 
• Post-race lunch and complimentary Sierra Nevada beer at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge. Your lunch must be redeemed on the same day of your race/ride.
• Virtual Athlete Goodie Bag: special offers and discounts from our Sea Otter Classic partners  

Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category.

Be sure to check your email for your unique code to redeem your meal at Casa Amigos!
Please note: if you’ve registered for multiple events, you’ll receive multiple unique codes.

If you encounter any issues with your Casa Amigos redemption code, please reach out to
seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com

Join Race Director, Jeff Frost, for these live course talks as he previews each race and ride, with plenty of time for questions.  

Join Race Director, Jeff Frost, for these live course talks as he previews each race and ride, with plenty of time for questions. 

Monday, February 2 @ 5:30pm PST |  Gravel, Criterium, Circuit Race – Course discussions, and Q&A

Thursday, February 19 @ 5:30pm PST | Fuego XL, XC, Short & eMTB Race – Routes discussion and Q&A

Monday, March 2 @ 5:30pm PST | Gravity Events: Downhill, Dual Slalom and Enduro – Course discussions, and Q&A

Monday, March 16 @ 5:30pm PST | Run, Gran Fondos & Recreational Rides Rides: Carmelo, Pacifico, Off-Road Tour – Course discussions, and Q&A

Learn more and sign up here.

• Age Classes
• Para
• Non-binary

2026 course maps will be posted on March 15, 2026 – Bureau of Land Management – Fort Ord National Monument, and Monterey County permits pending.

Age-graded: E-bike with a Class 1 Label (and as follows)

• Pedal-assisted e-Bikes must have Class 1 label
• Only a single battery allowed (no spares) and battery range extenders are prohibited.
• A pedal assist bicycle only. No pedaling, no power assist.
• Top speed with power assist is 20 mph and power assist stops if speed is above 20 mph
• Maximum 750w output, no throttle allowed
• Aftermarket e-Bike kits /modifications are prohibited.

Open: E-bike with a Class 1 Label (and as follows):

• Only pedal-assisted E-bikes with motors from the following verified manufacturers are allowed:  
  • Bosch
  • Bafang
  • Brose
  • Shimano
  • Yamaha
  • Fazua
  • Aventon Ramblas
  • TQ Motors

• *Manufacturers of other brands that can demonstrate compliance with these principles can petition for start recognition by 
• submit information to Frosty@seaotterclassic.com prior to event day.
• Equipment present in the inspection corral may be tested and possibly ridden to verify equipment
• A pedal-assist bicycle only. No pedaling, no power assist.
• Top speed with power assist is 20 mph and power assist stops if speed is above 20 mph
• Maximum 750w output, no throttle allowed
• Aftermarket e-Bike kits /modifications are prohibited.

​Race staff will complete equipment inspections post-race to the top three in the Elite Category, and random pre-race equipment inspections for all race categories.

We recognize e-bikes as human powered bicycles and encourage the operation of e-bikes in a manner that maintains the human powered bicycle characteristics in order to continue to enjoy and advocate access to public lands where allowed. The principles of design are to assist with the normal power and acceleration ranges of the human rider. E-bikes that are modified or designed to reach limits beyond normal human riding power outputs, high power output, and power-assisted speeds greater than 20 mph or excessive acceleration assistance, are not allowed, nor welcomed, as they jeopardize access of the sport on public lands.

Pre-race Inspections: All bicycles and racer helmets must be taken through Inspection prior to competing for the purpose of inspecting timing chip function, helmet, number assignment, and equipment contingency eligibility. Safety equipment and bicycle eligibility are the sole responsibility of the racer.

Racers must be in the race start area prior to their assigned start time to allow for pre-race inspections by race officials. Equipment will be visually inspected to insure all equipment is in compliance with posted Race Regulations.

Post-race Inspection/Impound: After the race inspection, the top three overall racers, as well as any other racer requested by the event official to do so, must leave their bicycle at a designated impound area until released by the official. The Impound Area will be located adjacent to the Finish Area. Top finishers will be directed to Impound at the completion of the race to await post-race inspection and testing. Racers may request to test ride another competitor’s bicycle while in Impound in order to confirm bike eligibility.  Bicycles may not be removed from Impound until directed by the race official.

Results: Racers have 20 minutes to finish the race after the overall winner takes the checkered flag. A racer may question the results within the 30-minute period following posting of the final results. After 30 minutes, awards will be given out and results will be final unless a protest is pending; provided, however, that the issuance of official results does not exempt racers who competed in the event from penalties for rules violations issued by Life Time Sea Otter Classic following the protest period.

Protests must be in writing and forwarded to the race director. Racers may only protest matters regarding a class in which they were a registered competitor.

Penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the Race Director based on the severity of the offense and may include one or more of the following: position(s), lap(s), time adjustment, or disqualification.

Have Questions? Contact: seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com

Packet pick-up and registration is located at the Hospitality Pavilion. 

• Wednesday noon to 6 p.m.
• Thursday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Pre-registered athlete packet pick-up only. No Registrations.)

Riders that have already registered online can pick-up their packets the same day as their race.

Awards go 3 deep in the below categories:

If you would like to change categories, please email seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com with any inquiries. 

Let’s make it official with your custom winner’s jersey, returning in 2026 for winners in each category.

Winners will select from three styles and sizes for women and men.

No Refunds
All fees are non-refundable and registrations are not transferable.

Deferral
Receive a guaranteed spot into the following year’s race. Athlete will pay 50% of the entry fee and complete a new registration for the following year’s race. Original entry fees will not be refunded.

Important Notables
Deferrals are only valid for the following year in the same event, space permitting.

Active duty and military personnel deployed or recalled may be refunded or deferred at no cost with proof of orders.

Pregnant Women and Postpartum mothers may be refunded or deferred at no cost with an authorized medical note.

Deferral and Transfer redemption deadlines apply.
No refunds or changes permitted on transactions over 365 days.
No refunds on add-on items, merchandise or donations; all purchases are final.

Life Time reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to deny entry, to revoke the entry application of any applicant at any time, and/or to disqualify any individual from the Event. Those who violate our registration/racing policy may be disqualified and potentially banned from participating in this and/or any other Life Time Event.

Contact seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com for information. 

All Sea Otter participants will be required to submit a release waiver and assumption of risk form. Save time in line by completing them in advance. All Sea Otter participants are required to wear an approved helmet- no exceptions. USA Cycling Helmet Policy