SKILLS Laguna Beach: A Day of Technical Riding with Hans Rey and the RADS

This past fall, a group of riders gathered in Laguna Beach for something that felt less like a race and more like a rolling skills session, until the scorecards came out. The SKILLS event, put together by Hans Rey and the Laguna RADS crew, ran as a 6.5-mile loop with seven sections, each one testing a different aspect of riding. Riders were split into groups and sent out across the course, rotating through sections and tracking points as they went. From the start, it was organized but loose. Groups were assigned, sections were called out, and everyone rolled out knowing they’d be stopping often—not for breaks, but for challenges.

Starting with the Climbs

One of the first sections set the tone right away: a loose, rocky uphill that looked manageable until riders actually hit it.

Points were earned based on progression:

• 2 points for the first marker
• 5 points further up
• 10 points for making the entire climb

And as most Laguna climbs, it was “way steeper than it looks” and just as loose as expected. Riders fought for traction, shifting weight forward, trying to keep momentum without spinning out. Some made it to five. A few pushed for ten. Most didn’t make it to the top. Every attempt became a small moment, with everyone watching, calling it out, and reacting in real time.

Timed Sections: Short, Fast, and Honest

Mixed into the loop were timed sections that brought in a different kind of pressure. These weren’t long descents, however, they were tight, technical segments where riders had to:

• Ride up or through a section.
• Turn around or finish through a marker.
• Stop their own time.

It was simple and raw. No timing chips, no structure beyond the group keeping track. Times got called out immediately, and riders compared numbers on the spot.

Line Choice Sections: Where It Got Interesting

The most engaging sections were the ones that forced riders to make a decision before even starting.

Each rider had to call their line:

• 2 points
• 5 points
• 10 points

And once you were committed, that was it. If you went for the 10-point line and dabbed, you got nothing. That rule changed everything. Riders stood at the top of sections talking it through, second-guessing themselves, watching others go first.

The 10-point lines were often off-camber, tighter, or required a more technical finish, which was “pretty tricky” even for experienced riders. And when someone came up short after going for it, it was immediate: Zero points. Write it down. Move on.

Riding in Groups

One of the biggest differences in this event was how it was experienced—together. Riders weren’t spread out across the course. They moved in groups, stopping at each section and watching every attempt.

That meant:

• Everyone saw every success and mistake.
• Riders had to call their line out loud.
• There was constant feedback, encouragement, and some chirping.

At one point, someone joked they thought it was a team event before realizing everyone was competing individually. That dynamic made the event feel less formal but more engaging. You couldn’t just ride your own race; you were part of the session.

A Mix of Riders and Styles

The rider list wasn’t short on talent. You had names like Hans Rey, Richie Schley, and Cam Zink in the mix, alongside local riders and friends.

But the format leveled things out.

Some riders were strong on climbs but struggled with skinnies.
Others were quick in timed sections but lost points chasing higher-value lines.

Even strong riders picked up zeros trying to push for more points than they could clean.

As the day went on, it became clear: no one was good at everything.

Final Sections and Tight Scores

By the last section, the pressure picked up.

Riders were doing the math, trying to figure out what they needed to stay competitive. Some played it safe for guaranteed points. Others went for higher lines, trying to make up ground. And it didn’t always work. Miss the line, dab late, or misjudge the finish, and it was zero.

At the end, scores were close enough that ties had to be broken by combining times from the timed sections. Even the podium was chaotic, with multiple riders tying, and results coming down to details.

Wrapping Up the Day

The awards weren’t overly serious—old trophies, some joking around, calling out “cheaters” in good fun—but it matched the tone of the event. Competitive, but not rigid. Structured, but still loose.

It was a full day of riding where:

• Every section mattered
• Every decision counted
• And nothing was handed out easily.

The SKILLS event in Laguna Beach felt like a mix of competition and session riding. A 6.5-mile loop, seven sections, and a format that forced riders to think just as much as they rode.

It wasn’t about putting down one perfect run. It was about small wins adding up across the entire day, and avoiding just enough mistakes to stay in it. And judging by how the day played out, it’s the kind of format that keeps people engaged from start to finish