Pinkbike Roadtrip: Sea Otter 2013

Apr 17, 2013 at 19:58
by Mike Kazimer  
Sea Otter is the unofficial kick off to the mountain bike race season, a chance for teams to show off their new bikes and kits, and for athletes to flex the muscles they've been developing over the cold winter months. Pinkbike has been covering the event for the last nine years, and this year is no exception. The drive from Pinkbike's headquarters to Monterey, California, is nearly eighteen hours, so we decided to split it up into a multi-day journey with a few pit stops for riding and other entertainment. With the minivan packed, crammed to near bursting with four bikes and riders, we headed south, California bound.

The benefits of riding the McKenzie River trail on a cold and snowy weekday We had the whole place to ourselves.
  We spent the night in Blue River, Oregon, and woke up early to ride the McKenzie River Trail. It was spitting snow and rain, but that wasn't any different from the weather at home, so we stuck with our riding plans. The benefits of riding the McKenzie River Trail on a cold and snowy weekday? We had the whole place to ourselves.

The McKenzie River Trail is located in the Willamette National Forest east of Eugene Oregon. The trail gradually makes its way downhill over the course of 25 mies passing through stands of old growth Douglas Fir and past lush moss and prehistoric looking ferns.
  The McKenzie River Trail is located in the Willamette National Forest. The trail gradually makes its way downhill over the course of 25 miles, passing through stands of old growth Douglas Fir and past lush moss and prehistoric looking ferns. Snow prevented us from riding the upper ten miles, but a good portion of the trail was still rideable.

Tyler Maine swoops through one of the many twists and turns on the trail. While not steep or overly technical the scenery more than makes up for it.
  Tyler Maine swoops through one of the many twists and turns on the trail. While not steep or overly technical, the scenery more than makes up for it.

Snack time. After twelve or so miles of cold wet singletrack we stopped to try and get feeling back into our hands and feet.
  Snack time. After ten or so miles of cold, wet singletrack we stopped to try and get feeling back into our hands and feet.

It wouldn t be a stretch to call dirt water and moss and trees are the three most common sights on the trail. It would have been nice to ride it with a little less water but we ll just have to plan a return trip for the summer.
  Dirt, water, moss and trees - the four most common sights on the trail. It would have been nice to ride it with a little less water, but we'll just have to plan a return trip for the summer.

 mikelevy - this is as close to mama birding as things got. Levy was so tired he needed to be hand fed.
  Levy was so tired he needed to be hand fed.

Muddy cold and wet but happy to have escaped the confines of the minivan we headed off in search of a hose and a warm shower.
  Muddy, cold and wet, but happy to have escaped the confines of the minivan for a few hours, we headed off in search of a hose and a warm shower.

Snow and rain squalls were battling with the sunshine as we continued south through Ashland Oregon.
  Snow and rain squalls were battling with the sunshine as we continued south through Ashland, Oregon.

The clouds and snow left behind California greeted us with sunshine and warm weather.
  The clouds and snow left behind, California greeted us with sunshine and warm weather.

With a bit of time to kill before our arrival in Monterey we decided some fresh ink was on the schedule.
  With a bit of time to kill before our arrival in Monterey we decided some fresh ink was on the schedule.

Little Jen was game to tattoo whatever we wanted. Semi-colon for Kazimer bicycle for Becky and for Levy....
  Little Jen from Eights and Aces Tattoo in Santa Cruz was game to tattoo whatever we wanted. Semicolon for Kazimer, bicycle for Becky, and for Levy....

Internet meet Lone Wolf aka Mike Levy. 100 committed.
  Internet, meet Lone Wolf, aka Mike Levy. 100% committed.



Stay tuned all week for the latest product and racing news from the 2013 Sea Otter Classic.

Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

55 Comments
  • 85 1
 Is that on his wanking hand?
  • 363 1
 Both hands are my wanking hands.
  • 27 2
 Now that's a real talent
  • 45 1
 I'd call it being an ambiwanker.
  • 5 4
 or a simulwanker.
  • 4 1
 You got Ballz Levy!!!!!
  • 9 0
 It's like being comfortable riding with either foot forward, except more... comfortable.
  • 5 32
flag RoverDover (Apr 18, 2013 at 9:04) (Below Threshold)
 you cant wank with both hands...you need the other hand for the prostate massage!
  • 11 0
 There are some things you share with the internet, and some you don't!
  • 2 0
 More like 'Omitted' Only nut jobs and ex-cons get tattoos on their hands..... in Japan
  • 46 2
 Never would've guessed Levy with the knuckle tat hahaha
  • 10 2
 he is indeed 100% committed
  • 13 3
 would've thought he'd have "lone" on the right hand, "wolf" on the left. sick anyway!
  • 5 1
 Does that mean... Mike doesn't like riding with other people?
  • 7 1
 That is only abut 20% committed.. A face tattoo would be 100%
  • 6 0
 Hopefully the Pinkbike thing works out now that he's rocking a job stopper.
  • 8 0
 Great trip down and such an experience today at the parlour.
  • 6 0
 Didn't see a shot of your new tattoo buddy...I can only assume that's because its x-rated Wink
  • 7 0
 Hey Lone Wolf - wear some glasses and protect your eyes!
  • 1 0
 The muddy butt and legs is my normal I ride the Umpqua trail at least once a week and it is finally drying out a little but it is suppose to rain again tomorrow. It is still fun as hell to play in the mud. Front fenders are amazing for all the sections up the North Umpqua Trail that is till they blow of and you can't find them. Oh well get muddy is what I say.
  • 4 0
 Ah just gets you in the mood for our own road trips this summer. Bring it on!
  • 5 0
 You guys at Pinkbike have my dream job... awesome road trip!!
  • 3 0
 The top half of that trail is the best part...I would wait another month for the snow to melt.
  • 2 1
 I ride MRT a few times a year, in the summer you just have to wake up early before all of the tourists and campers. It is not uncommon to see pretty girls running the trail too, which is always a bonus
  • 1 0
 Should be in the 60's Sat. and Sun. Perfect time to get in a ride on the MRT. Will be there myself, look for the old Mountain cycle. Happy trails!
  • 4 0
 Oh good gravy Levy...
  • 4 1
 This is f***ing sick. That takes some balls Levy!
  • 2 0
 "wet singletrack"? When its accompanied with those photos its on of the funniest thing an Irish person can read Smile
  • 3 0
 Those Californian's eh ? They don't know what mud is Wink
  • 1 0
 I think the world in general doesnt know what mud is outside Ireland and bits of Britain haha Smile
  • 1 0
 Where's the after Otter ride beers shot?

Looked like you guys had a Blast!
  • 1 0
 Nice tats boys!! Lily and I rode MRT out and back in those same conditions. Spent the whole next day at the hot springs!!
  • 2 0
 I got to ask. Why a semicolon?
  • 7 1
 Semi colon means theyve gone thru depression, anxiety, self-harm, etc. It means the author couldve ended the story but chose not to. The author is the person, the story is their life.
  • 1 1
 That's funny, I have an ellipsis tattoo on my wrist. I guess my stories just fade out...
  • 6 0
 Or it could be that I'm an English nerd, and wanted to see Levy get knuckle tattoos...
  • 4 0
 or perhaps he had part of his colon removed???
  • 2 0
 Damn it man, cant you see he's a writing mechanic?
  • 2 0
 how about you Tyler - what tat did you get? Smile
  • 1 0
 Lone wolf? Really that so (special olympics gay) quote from Generation Kill
  • 1 0
 Love posts like these. Rode that trail with my wife and buddy a few years ago....so want to go back!
  • 5 4
 you guys need to learn about, comma splices
  • 3 1
 And you need to learn about capitalization and periods.
  • 1 0
 Wet singletrack ? That things is almost dry....
  • 1 0
 Looks like it's gonna be a great weekend weather wise!
  • 1 0
 Looks like Levy was hitting it hard again.
  • 1 0
 Wished you guys posted up some post ride pics of your personal rides.
  • 2 0
 "you´re gone regret it"
  • 2 0
 We've all regretted trips to Sea Otter...
  • 1 0
 Uh......Tattoos?
Did you ask your mums?
  • 1 0
 I know that tat artist!
  • 5 0
 I think I'd like to. Looks like a badass.
  • 1 0
 Going there tmrw!
  • 1 0
 see you all at sea otter
  • 1 1
 nice tat







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.029765
Mobile Version of Website