Pre-Otter 2026: The Farm Open House in San Francisco

Miles, en route to the 2026 Sea Otter Classic, recently stopped at "The Farm" open house in San Francisco. This gathering featured independent cycling artisans including Outer Shell, Sklar Bikes, Tunitas Creative, Calling in Sick Magazine, and photographer Chris McNally. The event, documented by Bikepacking.com, served as a pre-Sea Otter showcase for these niche makers, offering a glimpse into their latest work and the collaborative spirit of the Bay Area's custom cycling scene.

This informal pre-Sea Otter gathering highlights a persistent trend: the enduring appeal and collaborative nature of the independent, custom-built cycling sector. While the Sea Otter Classic itself is a behemoth of the industry, these smaller, community-led events provide vital platforms for artisans like Sklar and Outer Shell to connect directly with enthusiasts, fostering a culture of craftsmanship often overshadowed by mass production. It underscores the continued demand for unique, hand-built solutions in a market increasingly dominated by larger brands.

Such events prove that even as the industry scales, the soul of cycling often resides in the workshops and garages, a refreshing counterpoint to the corporate spectacle awaiting in Monterey.