14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 23-29, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Car Week brings in roughly 100,000 visitors to Monterey County who spend $130 million over nine days, according to See Monterey, the county’s tourism bureau. The Life Time Sea Otter Classic, meanwhile, draws about 75,000 people who generate $70 million in economic impact over four days, according to a 2022 study by the organization. Per-day spending is about even when comparing both events. Yet, when the Sea Otter Classic wraps up, besides the trails at Fort Ord National Monument, there’s not much reason for visitors looking for biking experiences to return to Monterey County, as the temporary infrastructure built for the various courses during the event are bulldozed every year. Car enthusiasts, meanwhile, have plenty to look forward to year-round, especially at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. That’s the message the Monterey Off Road Cycling Association (MORCA) is trying to get across to local and state leaders: Outdoor recreation is a $1.2 trillion economy nationwide, and Monterey County needs a bigger slice of that pie. The group of mountain biking enthusiasts, who maintain the trails at Fort Ord National Monument and host events such as Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, is working on establishing year-round biking infrastructure at Laguna Seca Recreation Area. On the second day of the Sea Otter Classic, April 17, Peter Berridge, MORCA’s vice president, led a tour for representatives from the County, Assemblymember Dawn Addis’ office, Friends of Laguna Seca and others, showing them where such a bike park could be constructed and how it would benefit the local economy. “This is a huge opportunity,” Berridge said. “Part of that opportunity is to build off the legacy of Sea Otter Classic.” Sea Otter Classic has turned into one of the most important events of the year for the bicycling industry, where representatives from companies around the world attend the expo. “This is the event,” he said. “The entire bike industry comes to show off their latest and greatest. It’s a big deal.” MORCA is eyeing a phased approach to the bike park in multiple locations of Laguna Seca Recreation Area. That could include a skills zone with a pump track and slalom course, in addition to a cyclocross loop and new trails connecting areas of Laguna Seca. Earlier this year, MORCA applied for a grant from the International Mountain Bicycling Association that would provide professional design services for the bike park, and expects to hear the status of its application in the coming months. That would then kick off a campaign to raise more than $2 million for the park. MORCA has received letters of support from Friends of Laguna Seca, the nonprofit in charge of the day-to-day operations of the track and recreation area, and County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. It is also working with the Friends group to incorporate the bike park plans into Laguna Seca’s master plan, currently under development. Mel Harder, general manager of Friends, says that document is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Park and Ride A plan to build a bike park at Laguna Seca is gaining steam. By Erik Chalhoub Peter Berridge (left) shows Monterey County Economic Development Manager Richard Vaughn and others where a bike park could go at Laguna Seca. NEWS “It’s a big deal.” ERIK CHALHOUB Sending a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated volunteers. Your impact is truly amazing, and we appreciate everything you do. Thank you! Gathering for Women-Montery Gathering for Women provides meals, showers, clothing, case management, and other resources with a warm smile. Interested in joining our team of wonderful volunteers? Visit gatheringforwomen.org/volunteer or email volunteer@gatheringforwomen.org to learn more about our amazing volunteer opportunities.
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