Today through Sunday, the 16th annual Sea Otter Classic (SOC), the self-proclaimed "world's largest cycling festival" is going down at the Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey. This is a big-time cycling throwdown featuring a full spectrum of competitive events, including road racing, circuit racing, dirt jumping and gravity contests, as well as MTB downhill, dual-slalom, mountain cross, short track, and cross-country races for all skill levels and age groups.

Event organizers estimate that more than 10,000 professional, amateur and recreational athletes will be competing over the weekend. More than 50,000 spectators usually attend, however, the rain forecast for this weekend will probably take a bite out of those numbers.