With the goal of generating support for local mountain bike projects and initiatives, including stewardship of trails used by Lifetime Sea Otter Classic, Sustain the Ride aims to capitalize on the enthusiasm and support for mountain biking generated by the event, and to keep that momentum rolling all year long.
Sustain the Ride gives Sea Otter Classic attendees – and cycling advocates worldwide – a chance to support four MORCA focus areas: maintaining and improving Sea Otter Classic & Fort Ord trails, getting more kids on bikes, developing a bike park, and improving trailhead facilities and signage.
To support Sustain the Ride, advocates can JOIN MORCA, DONATE, or VOLUNTEER for upcoming trail work, events, or administrative projects.
For one week every April, the world of cycling comes to Monterey for the Life Time Sea Otter Classic, energizing the local community and visitors alike. Along with an estimated $70 million in economic impact, the event builds a renown slalom course and downhill course that attract thousands of mountain bikers.
But after the event? The slalom course gets bulldozed, and the downhill course closes to public access. Sustain the Ride endeavors to develop a permanent and dedicated space for mountain bikes that attracts riders year-round by incorporating popular features like berms, jumps, drops, and other elements that accommodate all ages and skill levels.
“Our hope is Sustain the Ride generates support for all of MORCA’s focus areas, but the ultimate goal for MORCA and the campaign is to develop something like the bike parks and purpose-built mountain bike trail networks that so many other communities across the U.S. are benefiting from,” shares MORCA Vice President, Peter Berridge. “If we can do that, Sea Otter Classic wouldn’t have to rebuild and then teardown or close the very courses that attract mountain bikers in the first place, and Monterey wouldn’t get just one week of community benefits from mountain biking, it would be a year-round draw for outdoor recreation and tourism.”
Locals and visitors alike can support MORCA’s efforts and the Sustain the Ride campaign by joining MORCA as a member, donating, or volunteering. MORCA encourages Lifetime Sea Otter Classic attendees and participants to raise awareness about MORCA and to socialize Sustain the Ride and the current state of mountain biking in Monterey County. Supporters can use the hashtag #sustaintheridemonterey to generate engagement and interest regarding this important topic for Monterey’s cycling community.
Fort Ord offers an incredible network of trails to ride but overall, these trails cater to cross-country riding. Due to the Bureau of Land Management’s multi-use protocol, building bike features like berms and jumps is not an option in Fort Ord. And outside of Fort Ord, there is very little access for mountain bikes in Monterey County and to date, little appetite by decision makers to incorporate bikes into parks and trail networks. It’s a missed opportunity to bolster our outdoor recreation amenities and sustainable tourism offerings, but one MORCA hopes to turn around.
In February, despite an outpouring of community input as well as survey findings which both showed most Monterey residents desire a bike park with dedicated mountain bike trails over more hiking trails, the City of Monterey Parks & Recreation Commission voted unanimously against incorporating bike amenities into a new park space being developed. The city cited increased costs and environmental impacts as reasons mountain bike trails would not be feasible. Though discouraging, MORCA remains undeterred in our mission.
“There’s no reason a countywide trails plan or a collaborative effort between land managers, public-private partnerships, as well as local, state, and national mountain bike advocacy groups couldn’t achieve the ultimate goal for Monterey – creating the permanent and dedicated space that mountain biking deserves,” shares Berridge. “But to get there, we must continue clearing up antiquated views and misperceptions about mountain biking and get them aligned with modern research and modern trail building practices. We also can’t let our sport be defined by a few bad actors. Mountain biking deserves to be defined by positive associations like the Life Time Sea Otter Classic, youth participation and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and success stories from other communities who gave it a chance, committed the resources, and are now reaping the benefits.”
MORCA hopes the voice and support of Sea Otter Classic attendees will help amplify dialogue around the incredible potential that exists for Monterey through the sport and culture of mountain biking. Learn more about MORCA’s work and Sustain the Ride at morcamtb.org.
