Gran Fondo Carmelo
Saturday, April 18, 2026
90 Miles
A return of the original Carmelo route: it’s the classic “Monterey Century.” This ride starts and ends at Laguna Seca, travelling through a true highlight tour of the Salinas Valley: from agricultural fields and vineyards to breathtaking views and small-town charm. All culminating in final climb back home into Laguna Seca.
Take in the breathtaking sights over the course of 90 miles at a comfortable pace or crank up the heat and put your Gran Fondo (“great endurance”) to the test.
See below for race inclusions.
Class 1 E-Bikes Welcome
Class 1 e-bikes are welcomed at Sea Otter’s recreational rides: Gran Fondo Pacifico & Carmelo, Robles MTB Tour, and the Family Off Road Tour.
2026 general registration is now open with Early Bird Pricing through December 1, 2025. Register here!
Onsite registration at the event starts on Wednesday, April 15, 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.
Carmelo Pricing
| Early Bird Pricing: through December 1, 2025 | December 2, 2025 - February 17, 2026 | February 18, 2026 - March 31, 2026 | After April 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | $160 | $180 | $205 |
- Race course support: Feed Zones, medical team, basic mechanical 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
- Commemorative medal
- Secure bag drop
- Secure bike valet
- Post-ride 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
All athletes receive a complimentary post-race or ride meal at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge.
You will receive a physical ticket at packet pick-up.
Meal tickets are valid for the same day as your race or ride.
Join Race Director, Jeff Frost, for these live course talks as he previews each race and ride, with plenty of time for questions.
2026 Course Talks dates coming soon!
TBD: Fuego XL/XC and Fuego SHORT – Course discussions, and Q & A
TBD: Carmelo/Pacifico/Robles/Family Off-Road Tour – Routes discussion and Q & A
TBD: Gravity Events: Downhill, Dual Slalom and Enduro – Course discussions, and Q & A
Course maps for Sea Otter 2026 will go live on March 1st, 2026!
Packet pick-up and registration is located at the Hospitality Pavilion. Please see the Festival Map here.
- 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 ride.
Rider Support includes mechanical and SAG support (including mobile tech) along the way. Enthusiastic volunteers provide fuel and hydration at the rest stations that dot the course. We also offer bike-and-bag valet service which you can take advantage of before and after the ride.
Children aged 12 and up are welcome to participate in Gran Fondo Pacifico when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pedaling children only; no trailers allowed.
- This is not a race; it is a recreational ride. Please encourage and support your fellow cyclists in enjoying the ride.
- Obey all traffic laws. All cyclists are personally responsible for knowing and obeying all California traffic laws. This includes—but is not limited to—obeying traffic lights and stop signs. Violators may be ticketed by local law enforcement and/or disqualified and removed from the Gran Fondo.
- Ride safely and in control. Ride in single file whenever possible. California law requires riding single file on a busy or narrow street. Any cyclist who is deemed to be riding unsafely, discourteously, or recklessly will be removed from the Gran Fondo and banned from future Sea Otter events. Again, THIS IS A RIDE, NOT A RACE. Your safety, and the impact of your actions on the safety of others, are your responsibility.
- No headphones. No iPods or other items requiring headphones are allowed. California law does not allow headphones covering both ears while cycling.
- Helmets are mandatory. They are required by California law for children under 18. Sea Otter regulations require that adults wear them as well while participating in this or any Sea Otter event. The helmet worn must be an ANSI- or Snell-approved cycling helmet.
- Children ages twelve and up are welcome as cyclist participants on any of the three routes (no trailers).
- All children (ages twelve through seventeen) must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
- No tricycles, trailers, or other vehicles. The Gran Fondo is for bicycles only. Children ages twelve through seventeen are allowed as cyclist participants, as indicated in these rules. Sorry, no child of any age may be pulled in a trailer in the Gran Fondo, and no child under age twelve is allowed in the Gran Fondo on any route.
- No personal support vehicles.
- No unregistered participants. Unregistered riders will be prohibited from entering certain sections of the course during the Gran Fondo. They will not have access to refueling stations, finish line celebratory lunch, or other event activities.
- Registered participants must display their Gran Fondo number and wear their wristband. Please display your Gran Fondo number on your jersey, display your number on your handlebars, and wear your official Gran Fondo wristband. Any rider who fails to do so will not receive an official finish time.
- Held rain or shine. Please come prepared for any weather conditions.
Please note that for safety reasons we do not want riders out on the road near or after dark. Therefore the Carmelo Route will adhere to predetermined rest stop close times to ensure all riders are back within a safe time period.
- #1 Rustique – 8:30am to 10:00am. (19.2 miles)
- #2 Zabalas – 9:30am to 12:30 pm (40.2 miles)
- #3 Cahoon – 10:30pm – 3:00pm (64.1 miles)
- #4 Laureles Lodge 11:30 – 4:30 (83.4 miles)
Email seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com with any inquiries.
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