The annual Sea Otter Classic celebrates all things bicycle at Laguna Seca this weekend.

There are four days packed with high-speed races, but there are other events that appeal to all paces – a kids zone (complete with an egg hunt and bounce house, no cycling experience required), an expo showing off the latest gear or 15-minute appointments with a nutritionist and rambling Grand Fondos too. That diversity of events is why organizers call this event a “festival” rather than a competition. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of all things bicycle-related, including its eco-consciousness. (Biking is, after all, the most energy-efficient means of human transportation on the planet.) These stories highlight some of what’s fun about not just the Sea Otter Classic, but biking year-round. It’s also a fitting way to celebrate the 5-year birthday of Fort Ord National Monument, 14,658 acres of public lands that were designated on April 20, 2012.

SEA OTTER CLASSIC events happen Thurs-Sun April 20-23. Laguna Seca, 1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas. $15/one-day pass; $50/four-day pass; $175/one-day VIP pass; $650/four-day VIP pass. 800-218-8411, seaotterclassic.com