SRAM at Sea Otter Classic 2011

 Yeah, it's expensive, and I'm not justifying it, but it does cost a considerable amount to put on an event like SO, even with all the sponsors. They DO have to break even, and that new DH course couldn't have been cheap...

 I can't imagine what SRAM and all the other sponsors pay to be at the event plus all the other small companies plus vendors. Then all the race fees and $10 for a plate of burnt chicken and rice and $5 for a diet coke to wash it down. The portable toilets were gross and the showers were cold. They make money at Sea Otter and should provide more for us dedicated racers who work hard for every dollar. The best part of it is seeing all those cool vendors who are there to promote their products plus the awesome MTB vibe of the riders. Other than that, Sea Otter is a rip off.

 Cause people will pay it. It is too expensive though. Especially the prices inside the festival. $3-$4 for bottled water when a case of 36 only cost $3.50...Holy mark up

 So maybe you should bring your own bottled water?

 Oh how I wish i could prop that comment x100 ^^

 yeah, this happens at events like this all over the world though, mtb events, music festivals etc, they're all out to make a big wad of cash from the punter, first and foremost.

 People are willing to pay it though. Everyone complains about how its so expensive but they will still go. If it was too much dont go.

 1.) No one should ever buy drinks at sea otter, there are tons of companies giving out free stuff to drink
2.) If you don't like the $600 in gas, well then buy a hybrid or move to Monterey
3.) You actually spent $10 on that chicken and rice?

80 bucks to race at sea otter, which includes the $30 festival pass, and the $10 USAC one day license. Quit ur bitchin, it's not that expensive and it's worth every penny

 Yeah really it's not bad at all. I just spent $65 to regio for a one day XC race less than 5 hours from me. This includes a lunch but no insurance or anything as I already have my UCI license. If I needed one-day insurance it would be more. So really, for an event the size of Sea Otter, that's not all that expensive. AND there are ways to offset much of the cost just by checking out all the options and being smart. I agree 100% with the above comment

 Yo thats alot of money to race some little hill ,and thats not even a real event. Sram should be paying you to ride there. Every year I'm like wake me up after sea otter finish so I can start my season. Bike festivals bahhhh, I'll be running full out at an empty mountain like a piff lunatic while yall chitty chat at the festival. Oooo do i get some used underwear with the cost of registration?

 You got that right! I just got my credit card statement from Sea Otter....holy crap!

 Apparently you guys have more money than me. $80 to ride a small hill that's not even a real DH course is alot of money, at least to most people. The average DH race I go to charges 30-$40 and is a much better course than sea otter. But then again, who goes to sea otter for the racing hahaha

 Well it is a proper DH course, it's just not in the least bit technical to accommodate all the noobs that would die on a WC or National-level course. And that's just it; no one goes to Sea Otter for the racing. COC's big air bag was probablya bigger attraction than the DH.

 I hit neg props by mistake I should kill my self

 I hit pos for you.

 Thats funny!!! Love it.

 Not sure SRAM paying a ton of money to Sea Otter helps the sport grow. SRAM is cool for supporting events but it doesn't translate into growth. These events need to be cheaper to attend, more people can afford to be there and ride, then they get stoked, and want to go to shops and buys products, that makes it all happen.

 Yeah, DS has to be super fast and fluent on the whole track. But on the other hand, 4x seems to be better prepared to directly face the opponent - without a strip of dirt between. And look at Graves - he's focused mainly on 4cross, but could win the DS event too

 Agreed, 4X may start out strong but DS will power through and take the gold.

 The only advantage I can see to four cross over dual is that riders can actually pick lines. Other than that, it just becomes a demolition derby where some kid can go in and ruin a world champions run. Dual slalom is for sure the better option.

 Hey corsair711 thats why its called RACING! If you think 4X is a mess you would be scared out of your little mind sitting at an Outdoor National MX race w/ a 40 man starting gate. Oh and I'm sure the concept of a "lapped racer" is just too much for you to handle

 Yeah, I think the majority of motocross is a joke because of how crowded it is. If you want to see that shit, go watch some WWF (my little mind can't take that much awesome, either).

I apologize for thinking racing should be about, you know, racing instead of fighting. Grow up, loaded.

 I just did a motorcycle race last weekend at Glen Helen, and I have to say it is gnarlier than any downhill race you could ever imagine. The track was rougher and longer than Mt. St. Anne and on top of the track you also have to deal with the other 30 guys trying to get around you. True racing is when you have to go head to head, it brings out your true competitiveness. When your racing on your own it's just a time trial.

 a longer track doesn't say much when you have a motor. DH is limited by the amount of land required to have one track... aka a whole mountain! mx tracks can be made practically anywhere.

 Collin, that's true, but not the point...

Adam, dual slalom is head to head, it simply removes the contact aspect of four cross by giving the riders their own lanes. Again, I prefer to see riders who are good at riding rather than riders who are good at bullying. To use another analogy that tough-guy Loaded can understand, dual slalom is like F1; contact can NOT happen (for different reasons, but same idea). Four cross is like Nascar, where your most popular driver of all time is nicknamed "The Intimidator" and where spectators are hoping for a crash.

Some people (like Loaded) prefer Nascar, and maybe a few of them even prefer it because of the intense racing action (although the majority don't). Those of us who want to see the best driving talents the world has to offer turn to F1. It's still intense head to head action, but without the violence.

 Corsair711 why dont you just admit you're scared of other riders and stick with time-trial only events. I raced and have had my car out to a number of different track days recently. The funny thing is how multiple cars can be racing on the track at the same time without contact. Ask any true racer and they will tell you the best part about racing is "the battle" between racers. What about when it rains? Is that not real racing??

ps- I hate Nascar. nice try with your analogy thought

 haha try a ISOC snocross national in upper juniors! i won the eastern national and my running board was still rapped all the way around my ankle! you just need to get out front and stay there. the only thing i agree with corsair711 is the smashing thing. its one of the most aggravating (and dangerous) this to happen in racing. when a over aggressive racer hits you severe injury can happen. i have been landed on and actually broke my back at the end of march. racing would be 1000000x better if dirty riding and unsafe/unfair tactics could be abolished. stricter penalties and such would be nice. thats just my feed back, take it as you want

 I love mountain bikes but racing at Glen Helen on a moto is WAY WAY harder!

 They given them away cause they always break!

 So how did that kid do?

 who cares? thats what the sports about man.

 I guess I just don't want to be left hanging. Otherwise, it's just a 'look at how cool we are to sponsor a random person' story. You're right, it doesn't matter where he finished, but I'd have liked to seen him racing!