March 23, 2005 – Sierra Nevada and Kodak EasyShare Gallery have signed on as Co-Presenting Sponsors of the Sea Otter Classic, the largest, most celebrated cycling festival in North America. The two companies provide for the following Road Cycling events: Sierra Nevada/Kodak Gallery Road Stage Races (Men and Women); Sierra Nevada/Kodak Gallery Amateur Road Races; Sierra Nevada/Kodak Gallery Amateur Circuit Races; and, Sierra Nevada/Kodak Gallery Road Cycling Tours (75 & 100-mile). The 15th annual Sea Otter Classic, known throughout the cycling world as the grand season opener, will be held on April 14-17, 2005 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California.

“The Sea Otter Classic is all-about riding your bike, watching the world’s best riders, and having a great time,” says Rick Sutton, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer of Sea Otter Classic. “Kodak EasyShare Gallery and Sierra Nevada Brewing have built their businesses by embracing good times and sharing great memories. Now Sea Otter participants can cap off a memorable cycling experience with the tilt of a glass and by snapping a bunch of photos for the family gallery.”

Ken Grossman, President, Owner, and Founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. states, “As the makers of America’s finest ales and lagers, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is again privileged to participate–both by entering a competitive team and as a sponsor–in this year’s Sea Otter Classic, featuring the finest cyclists in the world.”

Nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and over 50,000 spectators travel from around the USA and from all over the world to the Sea Otter Classic, making this four-day festival one of Cycling’s great homecomings. For many, it is a once-a-year opportunity to catch up with friends, old and new. The bond of cycling is established through abundant recreational riding on car-free roads and on beautiful trails, or by participating in the potpourri of races. A tent city housing thousands springs up in just two days. Here cyclists camp and tailgate, eat and drink, share tales of the past year and of the day just finished, and celebrate the spirit of Sea Otter. A host of fun family activities includes the Kid’s Bike Rodeo, Sea Otter Egg Hunt, and full-on Kids Carnival. ADMISSION IS ALWAYS FREE to children 12 and under. One day at Sea Otter can yield a season’s worth of memories. What more fitting partners for this event than Sierra Nevada and Kodak EasyShare Gallery?

Who: Cyclists in all age groups; wide range of professional and amateur categories
What: Sea Otter Classic
Where: Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA
When: April 14-17, 2005
Event Entry Fees: Range from $25 – $85
Spectator Fees: $10 per day or $30 for a four-day pass; FREE ADMISSION for children ages 12 and under
Information: www.seaotterclassic.com or (650) 364-7612