Sea Otter Classic 2026 Day 1: Inside the Life Time Grand Prix | Episode 26

The Life Time Grand Prix is officially underway, and we’re on-site at Sea Otter Classic for Day 1. This is the real start of the off-road season—44 of the best riders in the world lining up for the first major test of the year. But this episode isn’t just about the race… it’s about the environment, the buildup, and what actually matters on the ground. We’re recording from the media center, working through setup, sound, and the reality of producing content in the middle of it all. From bike builds and expo energy to conversations around media, access, and where the sport is heading—this is a raw look behind the curtain. Key themes: Life Time Grand Prix kickoff at Sea Otter Day 1 energy: expo, pits, and media center setup Why being early matters more than being polished The shift to video-first podcasts and content Camping, logistics, and the real Sea Otter experience Where the stories actually are (hint: not always the podium) This is the first dispatch from Sea Otter—fast, unfiltered, and right in the middle of it. Chapters (00:00:00) - Sea Otter 2026(00:05:17) - The First Gravel Grand Prix(00:11:24) - Braden Lang vs Keegan Swenson(00:16:23) - Race director at the 2017 Tour de France(00:18:28) - Interviewing Michael Woods(00:21:51) - Sophia rides the Lifetime Grand Prix(00:26:36) - Race day at Laguna Seca(00:31:26) - The National Anthem