Nossa Familia Coffee · April 2026 · Monterey, CA
Every spring, the cycling world converges on Monterey, California for one of the most beloved events on the calendar — the Sea Otter Classic. Equal parts race, expo, reunion, and celebration, Sea Otter defies easy categorization.
(Augusto and Stefano at the Nossa Coffee booth during the Sea Otter Classic)
This year, we packed up the booth, brewed the Full Cycle, and made our way south to spend a week immersed in bike vibes, good weather, and the kind of spontaneous, lasting conversations that only happen when thousands of passionate cyclists gather in one place.
More Than a Race — It's a Reunion
Our ambassador Stefano Barberi had an absolute blast at the Nossa Familia booth, catching up with friends and familiar faces he's accumulated over years of riding. That's the magic of Sea Otter: no matter how many times you've been, it always feels like running into old friends at a giant backyard party — one that happens to have world-class mountain bike racing, product debuts from every brand you love, and enough espresso to power a peloton.
As mentioned in our recent Instagram post about Sea Otter
"Nothing is ever as great as they say, and never as bad as they claim. For the bike culture, we've got a good thing going."
That sentiment resonates deeply with who we are at Nossa Familia. We're a Certified B Corporation and farm-direct specialty coffee roaster based in Portland, Oregon. We've always believed that coffee is best when it builds community — whether that's the farming families we source from, the independent cafés we supply, or the thousands of riders who grab a cup before clipping in at the starting line.
Powered by Nossa Familia: Stefano's Fuego XL Run
Of course, there was actual racing to be done. Stefano lined up for the Fuego XL Mountain Bike — one of the marquee endurance MTB events at Sea Otter — battling a head cold the entire way. The result? 11th overall. Eleventh overall while fighting a cold is no small feat on a course as demanding as the Fuego XL. We couldn't be prouder — and we're pretty sure the Full Cycle helped push him through those last miles.
(Our ambassador Stefano Barberi riding Fuego XL Mountain Bike )
Full Cycle: The Coffee Made for Riders
If you stopped by our booth and grabbed a cup of Full Cycle, you already know: this is not ordinary coffee. Full Cycle was crafted specifically for the cycling community — a blend that delivers clean, sustained energy without the jitters. It's bright enough to enjoy pre-ride, complex enough to savor at the booth between sessions.
(Full Cycle in action at Sea Otter: smooth, energizing, and made for the cycling community)
Our friends at MTBikeOregon (shoutout to Daniella for the incredible photography!) captured the energy of the booth perfectly — sunshine, smiles, bikes in every direction, and Nossa coffee at the center of it all.
(Photo by Daniella MTBikeOregon, capturing the vibrant atmosphere at the Nossa Familia booth.)
Why Sea Otter
Sea Otter isn't just a business opportunity for us — it's a values alignment. The event has always championed the intersection of sport, community, and sustainability. That mirrors exactly what Nossa Familia is about: sustainable sourcing, transparent supply chains, and building real relationships — between roasters and farmers, between coffee and cyclists, between brands and the communities they serve.
Events like Sea Otter remind us why we do what we do. The conversations at the booth, the post-race debrief over a pour-over, the chance encounter with a rider who's been drinking Nossa for years — these moments are irreplaceable, and no algorithm can manufacture them.
Looking Ahead
Sea Otter 2026 is in the books, but our commitment to bike culture rolls on year-round. Keep an eye on our blog and Instagram for upcoming events, new coffees dropping, and more from Stefano and the wider Nossa community. Whether you're a weekend trail rider or a podium chaser — coffee then bikes, always.
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