Even though I’ve already travelled overseas for some high-level racing, it feels like Sea Otter is always the official/unofficial start to the season. Once the entire bike industry descends onto the ground of the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, we’re off to the races (both literally and figuratively). 

I’ve been coming to Sea Otter for more than 10 years, maybe 15? My first year at Sea Otter, I was a wide-eyed little girl walking around the venue, getting jostled between the thousands of people, weaving my way between booths eagerly accepting the free samples and gawking at the professional athletes offering autographs. Maybe, just maybe, if I worked hard enough I could be on the other side of the table one day, holding the posters and the sharpie. 

This year as I walked into the Sea Otter venue, the first words I heard as I weaved through the people was, “Oh my gosh. That’s Hannah Otto.” I flashed a smile and a wave while inside the little girl inside of me was squealing with excitement. Imposter syndrome is a formidable opponent, but I allowed myself a moment to think, “Have I officially ‘made it’?”

There were several times this weekend, I tried to zoom out and actually watch myself in the moment, to soak in just how far we’ve come. From a little girl who got lost walking around the expo, to a professional athlete literally running from one ‘appearance’ to another. From the little girl, shy and desperate to find someone I knew, to the industry professional who couldn’t walk from one booth to another without seeing a friend who I genuinely wanted to stop and talk to. For Clayton and myself, the cycling world has become our major community, a place we feel like home, and Sea Otter is the family reunion of the year. 

A major highlight of the expo was the two larger than life posters that my sponsors made of me and hung in their booths to celebrate our partnership. Not only do I feel incredibly lucky and valued and humbled, but I see the impact it has on other little girls. As I signed autographs, some of the little girls would look at the giant sized postered behind us and I could see the same look in their eyes that I had many years ago. A look of belief, of hope, and of determination that they too could live their dreams. You become what you see and I am just overwhelmed by the chance to work with partners who amplify my story and help the next generation begin forming their dreams. 

Despite Sea Otter being a giant industry show, it’s also a high-level race, forcing many of us athletes to demonstrate our ability to balance all of the hats that we wear. I always put a huge amount of pressure on myself for Sea Otter, with so many sponsors present it’s a nice opportunity to put a good race on display, and as the first race in the Grand Prix, there’s a nice exhale that comes with putting together a good result out of the gate. Unfortunately, it seems like I’ll have to hold my breath a little bit longer. 

I felt top notch lining up for Sea Otter. On the start line, I went through my final confidence check list and I could mark every box. Fitter than I’ve ever been. Check. Mentally stronger than I’ve ever been. Check. Tactically smarter than I’ve ever been. Check. Time to go.

As we pushed off the line, something felt wrong in the first two minutes. The effort wasn’t matching the speed. It caused some alarm bells, but I quickly set them aside. As I’ve worked with Enso Mental Performance, one of the things I’ve been taught is “We go to work anyways.” Meaning that when it comes to racing, it doesn’t really matter what it feels like, you get the job done. I tried to shift my focus to the work instead of the feeling and it worked out…for a while. 

I was suffering more than usual as we finished up the first hour of racing and I could barely manage the pace. I finally got dropped from the group. I rarely look at power while I race, but in a moment of confusion I looked at my power. It was high. How did I just get dropped?! It doesn’t matter, keep going. That continued to be my mantra for 1.5 laps of the 3 lap race when I finally picked up a nail in my tire causing a flat and really testing my tenacity. As I pulled over to the side to remove the nail, I think I called out loud “Is this actually happening?!”

I finished the day, more frustrated and confused than ever, but knowing that I had to find some answers. It didn’t take long to discover the issue. 

Leading into this season I did a lot of tire testing, attempting to run the widest tires that I could. I tested rigorously, but I guess I made some mistakes. I ran a tire that I thought I had confirmed would fit, but the tire swelled and with minimal clearance to begin with, it left my tire rubbing and dragging on the inside of my rear triangle leaving me putting out a heroic effort only to obtain a snail’s pace. It was a mistake that cost me greatly, but it’s one that can be easily fixed. The race is behind me, and by the time I’ve finished with everything I have planned for this year, no one will even remember the race at Sea Otter.

Up Next: Whiskey 50.