This morning, I’m sitting at my computer, on the backside of the 2025 Sea Otter Classic, poring over the photos I’ve taken throughout the show. I’m weeding through the great and not-so-great ones. And I realize I took a lot of random photos. Like, super random.
I thought I would share it all. The good and the bad. But, I’m also going to include some stuff that isn’t bicycles, but was part of the show, and super cool.
My requirements for stopping and taking a photo of a bike were simple. If it was something unique, old school, cool tech, beautiful, or just a clean build, I stopped for a photo.
On top of that, I was also thinking that this year I would skip my typical Best of Show. I thought maybe instead of focusing on finding a bicycle product/brand for this year’s award, I would recognise a company that I look forward to seeing and enjoying every year. You know, do something different.
My Best of Show award is at the end of the article. Until then, let’s take a random stroll through the 2025 Sea Otter Classic.
Let the Randomness Shine On!
Jarod Bourdeau’s Fendered Beauty
I’ve run into Jarod at the last three Sea Otters. I’ve made a point to shoot a photo of his creative designs every time. This year was no exception. Check out this rad bike!
Kick Ass Cargo Tourer
I’ve shot this bike before as well. It seems to be in a constant state of change. So it’ll look a little different the next time I catch it, I’m sure.
Goldie/Crackle Aero Giant
Pretty trick paint job. Rahsaan Bahati’s Dream Build.
Ol’ School Haro Impulse w/ Elevated Chainstays
The elevated chainstay… it was a thing there for a second…
Rock Lobster California Masi Gran Criterium
This is pretty cool. I ran into Paul Sadoff of Rock Lobster at Sea Otter, and he was pushing, what I thought was a really clean ol’ Masi Gran Criterium. I stopped him for three reasons, one I’m a fan of Mr. Sadoff’s work at Rock Lobster, two, I’m a sucker for old Masis, and romanticize them, just like good ol’ Dave Stoller did. And three, I needed to get a shot of it for the roundup.
But, it wasn’t an old Masi… really. Paul had made his own Masi, calling it a “Mock” Lobster. We laughed, I took a picture, and we went on with our days.
Seafoam Chevy Blazer with Matching Bike
I have no words for this. I like ol’ Blazers, and this one was cool. Leave it to the kings of colormatch at Stikrd to have a matching bike & Blazer setup.
Cool Steel Full Suspension
Bitchen Rodeo Labs
Cool Penny-Farthing
Old Klein Adept Comp
Georgeous Scarab Drop Bar
Telepathy Steel Full Suspension
Charlie Kelly’s Breezer #2 (the second MTB ever built)
Super Clean Neuhaus Hardtail
I’m also a sucker for a clean hardtail.
Hans Rey’s GT Bicycles eMTB
Hans was still at the show repping GT, even though the brand is still on pause as far as we know.
Haute Bikes Bridgestone XO-1 Tribute
Not a Bridgestone, but it definitely made us do a double-take! That Cane Creek gravel suspension fork looks good all color-matched…
Super Clean Otso Warakin
If you looked closely, there was a Wolf Tooth Components bottom bracket on the bike. More on that later…
Baby Blue Bridge Surveyōr
Sexy Stable o’ Sages
Cool Painted Beach Club
“Saved By The Bell” Inspired Norco
The cool “Saved By The Trail” top tube shout out to the TV show Saved By The Bell, says it all!
Unique Ti Hardtail Singlespeed
The 2025 Sea Otter Best of Show Winner… The Lumpia Lady
Like I mentioned earlier, there is a person that I look forward to seeing at every Sea Otter Classic. I hold what she does with very high esteem. I have a special place in my heart for Filipino Food. I’ve been married to my wife Maria, a Filipino woman, for 25 years, and her home cooking is to die for. Maria learned how to cook from my amazing mother-in-law, Dolores (Dolo as we called her).
So, when I first tried the Filipino cuisine that the Lumpia Lady was making, tucked back in her Sea Otter booth, it tasted like home to me.
Started in 2018, the company is family owned by Zen and her daughter, Chelsea Windham. Zen’s cooking reminds me of Dolo’s cooking. It’s authentic and fresh, and made with real passion. It’s consistent and very, very good every time my wife and I eat there. I’ve been exclusively eating her food for lunch while attending Sea Otter since she showed up at the show back in 2019. It’s something I really look forward to when I’m driving up.
Passion and Authenticity
Well, I thought she deserved a mention as one of the unsung heroes of the Sea Otter Classic. But, then I thought… You know what, she needs more than just a mention, so I gave her my 2025 Sea Otter Classic Best of Show award. She deserves it for making enough food to feed the massive number of guests at the show. For doing it with a passion and commitment to cultural authenticity, and for serving it up with a warm smile. She’s a highlight of Sea Otter for my wife and me.
You wanna know what we order? Her portions are pretty massive, so Maria and I usually split a “Combo Plate”. This consists of either chicken or pork adobo (we alternate), pancit bihon (rice noodles), and two lumpias (Filipino eggrolls). And, it’s super delicious!
Well, that’s it. Here’s to you, Zen Windham, our friend, The Lumpia Lady. See you at the next Sea Otter!