April 8, 2004

Almaden cyclists gear up for Sea Otter Classic

Cycling festival set for April 15-18 at Laguna Seca

By Karl Laucher
Staff Writer

The 14th annual Hyundai Sea Otter Classic, claimed to be North America’s premier bicycling festival, is a grand slam circuit treat for cyclists of all configurations, from tiny trikers to high mountain riders. From the rough and ready category are two Almaden Valley products, Shannon Forster and Curtis Beavers, who will careen for a spot on the podium during the April 15-18 action at Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey.

Beavers, 20, a 2001 graduate of Pioneer High school currently attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, is ranked No. 3 among NCAA (collegiate) mountain cross racers and No. 9 in the Northern Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA).
The 6-foot 4, 185-pound Beavers won the Sea Otter downhill as a junior rider in 2001.

As a semi-pro last year he placed 36th in the slalom and 54th in mountain cross, both events with field of more than 150 riders. This year, he is entered in the downhill, duel slalom and mountain cross. A top three finish in any event would launch him into the full professional category. “I can’t wait,” he said. “This is one of the events I look forward to all year.” He expects to be a pro in time for the NORBA Sonoma Nationals in mid-May, presuming, of course, he doesn’t faceplant in the jagged terrain. He already has broken numerous bones, including fingers, both ankles, ribs and jaw, but apparently the rush of riding high and mighty has a mystical healing factor.

Forster, 17, an Archbishop Mitty High School senior, gave up volleyball, track and field and water polo to test the rigors of the triathlete lifestyle. She came with age-group victories last year at the Monterey Bay Triathlon, the Folsom International Triathlon and the Nissan Xterra Triathlon at Lake Tahoe. She said she leans toward cycling because its is her best event, and so far, no injuries.

As an entry in the Sea Otter mountain bike cross country race, Forster, 5-foot 7, 130 pounds, is wondering if she has challenged herself enough. She did a trial run on the 18-mile race route last week and found it is more of a sandy speed course than a technical course. She expects to be favored in her age group and would consider racing against older riders in future events. “I’m going to rip on these trails,” she said. Forster trains under the guidance of Pete Kain at the Almaden Valley Athletic Club.

Some 10,000 participants and 50,000 spectators are expected to converge on Laguna Seca where the carnival atmosphere will include a Kids Bike Rodeo, the Otter Egg Hunt and some 200 categories of amateur road and mountain bike racing. Also offered are road and off-road social rides. For more information call 1 650 364-7612 or log on at www.seaotterclassic.com.