The Sea Otter Classic is prepping for the event

Thousands of bikers and biking enthusiasts are about to come to the Central Coast for the 29th annual Sea Otter Classic.

While the event is still a few days away, preparation for it is in full swing. Jeff Frost, the race director for the event, says, “It’s probably some of the hardest things you’ll ever do as an event person- but at the end, it is really fulfilling.”

Frost has been part of the Sea Otter for the past 20 years. He says a lot has changed over the years, but one thing hasn’t: The event just keeps getting bigger. “More and more, people are getting into cycling- as a recreational activity. The popularity of electric or e-bikes- more and more folks are riding their
bikes, so more and more people are coming to find out more about cycling,” says Frost.

By Sunday, over 50,000 people are expected to attend the event. And there is something special for the non-racer this year: At certain times, any can ride around the racetrack.

Many of the people who come to the event make it a vacation. Jennie and Jurome are camping out for a few days. They say they are there “just to … see all the people and the environment, just having a lot of people around, you know, having people come together that like the same type of hobby.”

This event brings in a lot of traffic. So expect extra traffic along Highway 68 on Thursday through Sunday.