The Best Mountain Bike Trails in the US

Last month, the 2Wheel Epix Crew went down to Monterey, California, to exhibit at the 2023 Sea Otter Classic.

The 2023 Sea Otter Classic is the largest mountain bike festival in the western hemisphere and is an absolute 2Wheel Time! With 70,000+ attendees over four days, the 2023 Sea Otter Classic showcased racing for all cycling disciplines. New and familiar bike industry brands also displayed all sorts of crazy innovations, products, and services.

This year’s Sea Otter Classic was no exception! We chatted with mountain bikers from all over the world about our trips, humanitarian projects, and everything 2Wheel Epix entails. 

Meeting those of you who visited us in person was an absolute pleasure. A huge thank you for making our festival experience so much fun! We love connecting with mountain bikers in person, and your positive feedback and interest in our trips, projects, and organization are a constant source of motivation to us! We appreciate your support and it drives us to keep improving and providing the best possible services.

During the 2023 Sea Otter Classic, we also had the best time hanging out with our new friends from Twisted Spoke CBD, Elevation Wheel Company, Party Shirt International. These organizations are all about spreading good vibes, promoting sustainability and striving to make the lives of bikers more enjoyable! Head over to check out their products or give them a follow to see all the amazing work they’re doing.

Top Highlights from the 2023 Sea Otter Classic

Check out our top highlights from the 2023 Sea Otter Classic!!!

  1. Children of the Bike Corn:  Always a Sea Otter highlight, ‘Children of the Bike Corn’ is when around 100 teenage boys jump their mountain bikes over a pallet fire in campground H. These little groms brought a huge MTB Hopper jump and sent it to the moon over the fire pit, with only phone lights and the fire glowing in the dark. Absolute madness! They even measured the longest jump at 36 feet. The antics end only when every possible item to burn has been torched. It’s an unforgettable experience!
  2. NRML MTBer:  At the 2023 Sea Otter Classic, we were SO stoked to meet the MTB comedian, NRML MTBer (whose real name is Sebastian). Together with his brother Andreas and their friend Matt, they are conquering the MTB comedy world, all while doing what they love. A huge shoutout to these hilarious guys!
  3. Camaraderie with the MTB Community:  Camping on site and enjoying the festival atmosphere were our final highlights of the festival. It may seem like a lot of work, but the sheer love and excitement for biking at the festival was overwhelming. Everywhere you looked, people were ecstatic to be surrounded by bikes. It truly is a universal language that brings people together!

Sea Otter 2023 Trip Contest Winner — ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK!!!

We want to thank everyone who participated in our Sea Otter 2023 contest for $1,000 off a 2Wheel Epix international mountain biking trip. The winner will be announced next week. Stay tuned!

And that’s a Sea Otter wrap! We hope to see you on the trails soon! Start your next MTB adventure here.

The 2Wheel Epix Crew

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FITNESS LEVELS​

Our fitness levels will start at a 1, but that is a 1 for mountain bikers that are active, workout regularly and are outdoors people or athletes.

Level 1: 

  • You exercise at least 1-2 days a week regularly
  • When you bike you bike for an average of 1-2 hours and sometimes have longer riding days.
  • You have the ability to climb at least 600 feet without walking or getting too tired.
  • Do not get over fatigued after only an hour of exercise.

Level 2:

  • Exercise 2-3 times a week regularly.
  • Bike for 3-4 hours on an average ride day
  • Can ride for 1-2 hours without stopping and getting too tired
  • Enjoy being on the trail for 4-6 hours with snack breaks, photos and rest breaks.

Level 3

  • Exercise 3-5 times a week regularly.
  • Bike for 3-4 hours on an average ride day
  • Can ride 2-3 hours with only stopping for a quick snack or rest break.
  • Enjoy being on the trail all day and enjoy long missions that are physically demanding.

Level 4

  • Exercise 5+ days a week regularly.
  • Bike 3-4 hours on an average ride day.
  • Can ride multiple hours without stopping
  • Look forward to all day rides that are very physically demanding.

Skill Levels

Intermediate: 

  • Intermediate riders have been riding at least 2 years and are confident on their bike. 
  • Own their own bike and ride 2-3 times a week. 
  • Are beginning to ride longer, steeper trails and more obstacles. 
  • Feel comfortable on singletrack trails.
  • Ride at your own pace, do not tackle all obstacles, and do not do jumps or drops.


On our trips Intermediate riders will generally push themselves outside of their comfort zone and will leave their mountain bike vacation a better rider. These mountain bike trips are a perfect way for intermediate riders to step up their riding in a safe and controlled environment, with a guide that will help them on every step along the way. 

Intermediate +:

  • Intermediate + riders have been riding for 3+ years, are very confident on their bike. 
  • Ride 3-5 times a week 
  • Are riding most obstacles (rock gardens, roots, steeper sections, small drops and jumps) 
  • Feel very comfortable on singletrack, and prefer singletrack.
  • Enjoy both climbing and descending. 
  • Are ready to take on new terrain geographies and test their skills. 


These mountain bike holidays are a perfect way for intermediate + riders to push their limits, continue progressing their riding level, and is an opportunity for them to get outside of their local riding areas and see what mountain bike gems are out there. 

Advanced: 

  • Advanced riders live to mountain bike. 
  • Ride 4-6 days a week and live for epic singletrack trails.
  • Feel comfortable on singletrack, freerides and any trail type. 
  • Are always looking for new jumps, freerides, rock gardens, steeps, and obstacles. 
  • Dream of riding new and exotic terrain
  • Are comfortable with exposure.


Advanced riders charge into any obstacle with a huge and grin on their face. These trips are perfect for advanced riders to expand their riding portfolio, ride new geographies and become part of the international bike community.