Hi Everyone!

The 2010 Sea Otter Classic is coming up April 15-18!

My focus at this world renowned cycling festival will be to perform trials shows in the pit area (see schedule below); but as a side bonus, I’m happy to announce that I’ll be offering free morning yoga classes for anyone that is interested.

So this blog post will serve as a reference for all those riders who might be interested.

Whether you’re racing, watching, working, exhibiting, or performing, the goal of this class is to charge you up so you’re feeling amazing for the day ahead—loose body, primed muscles, and a clean and clear mind. Nothing too serious, just playing yoga!

Instructor: Ryan Leech

When: April 16, 17, 18

Time: 7am – 8am

Where: Chapparel Building in Campground B (here is a map, the building is at the north west part of the loop)

Style: Vinyasa Flow

Level: All levels All good

For Who: Everyone welcome

If you have your own yoga mat, please be sure to bring it. But I’ll have a few extra just in case.

For an interview with Ryan about how mountain biking and yoga fit together, check out NSMB.com.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments feild below, I’ll do my best to answer!

If you’d like to check out a trials show, I’ll be at booth 755 with a brand new demo obstacle set to ride on. Come on by for daily shows:

Thursday: 1 and 3

Friday: 10:30, 1 and 3

Saturday: 10:30, 1 and 3

Sunday: 10:30 and 1

(photo-Harookz, chain line from CRUX)

Looking forward to see you there!

All the best,

Ryan

PS-If you’re looking for a mountain biking and yoga holiday, check out the one I’m hosting with Boreale Mountain Biking in Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, Canada

The Sea Otter Classic attracts some seriously enthusiastic cyclists. Whether they are racing or just soaking in all the action, the energy is positive—I”m doing my best to contribute to that vibe through my trials shows in the expo village.

Yesterday I had three shows. Had a fairly early start to the day to set up my demo area and get it looking good, had a couple breakfasts, one at the house, and one at the venue to get some extra calories for the day, and was performing by 10:30 under bluebird skies and perfect temperatures. 

Toward the end of the day, I was cleaning up my demo area; I was inside my trailer at one point and the doors blew closed, so I walked over to open them again, but before I got there I heard it being latched closed and it then went pitch black inside. I called out “hey I’m in hear, can you open it up!!”…..nothing….then called out “I bet that’s Ben Boyko out there, come up, funny joke, but open up!”…still nothing, nothing, nothing….I flipped my phone open to find the light switch, and got it on. Probably more than a minute passed and I decided someone had thought they’d be nice and close my trailer door to keep things safe. I was just calling one of the Norco guys on my cell to come let me out when, sure enough, Boyko let me out. When he plays a practical joke, he’s thorough!!

I thought I’d pedal my bike (my Fluid LT) back to the house we’re staying at so I could make a late afternoon cup of tea, do some yoga, and maybe read a book until the rest of the crew arrived. I got to the house, but the key was missing from the hiding spot; someone had taken it to the event by accident. No worries though, a little yoga in the backyard on the patio carpet, and a little reading on the deck chair to a setting sun was nothing to complain about…I did miss my tea though!

I’m quite tired today as I type this, not sleep tired but muscel tired. Another three shows today, and then perhaps a cross country ride with the Marzocchi guys will finish me off quite nicely. Good things it’s sunny out, because just like my wife, I’m solar powered.

Have a great weekend folks!

Ryan

Part of my trials show ritual is heading to my tent and table after a demo, and giving away signed posters. I’ve learned some interesting things about signing over the years, I’ll share further thoughts about it sometime soon, but one interesting thing I have been noticing, and it happened today, is about spelling. Names are important, even though I don’t remember most of them, I like to get them spelt correctly on the poster. For all the names that might have alternate spellings I say it out loud as I’m writing or just ask them to spell it if it’s really unusual. I forget that some of the folks coming for posters might be nervous, so they may agree to a spelling that is incorrect. So I have learned to sense this, and often double check just to make sure—still they may say “yup, that’s okay”, but at that point, it’s time to grab a new poster. 

Day one of the Sea Otter Classic is complete. Sunny skies, slower winds, and a substantial turnout really got the festival off to great start.

Just getting ready to do some shows today, such a busy event!

I saw The Collectives new film last night called “Seasons”, beautiful film that takes you on a journey through the seasons with six riders. It is a blast to watch, so much fun, and of course the cinematography is unreal. I also like the ‘vote Obama’ at the bottom of the credits, nice one guys. 

No more time to keep writing, so I wish you all a great weekend!

Ryan