Memorial Day weekend is one of the best moments of the year in Humboldt County, CA. The Kinetic Grand Championship takes place on this weekend every year. It’s a three-day race of human-powered contraptions that emphasizes joy, creativity, and problem-solving. It’s a festive, fun, and largely free of charge weekend, my absolute favorite time to be here.
When I took this photo at the starting line, I didn’t know that Fly t Less (above) would be the eventual winners of the race. Many, many prizes are bestowed, for everything from first crash after the starting line, to biggest splash entering Humboldt Bay, to best supporting crew.
Clockwise from upper left: Rainbow Man; Deep Sea Disco; Brown Trout, Brown Chicken; Cadaver-pult; Clusterduck; ? ; Ghoul-Scouts; Reno Cowsino; Moos Brothers
On Saturday morning, racers park around the plaza in Arcata. When they start moving, the vehicles circle the plaza and then take off down the hill in the southwest corner and head out of town. We watched them take off, and then went home. It’s possible to follow the racers along the back roads, though it’s easiest by bicycle. Racers stop in Samoa, a small community along the dunes, then continue along the spit of land that forms the margin of Humboldt Bay, and ride back across the bridge into town, ending day one after about 13 miles of pedaling.
Sunday begins at the city marina where the racers form a long line awaiting their turn to pedal down the ramp into Humboldt Bay. Spectators can walk along the lineup taking pictures and chatting with the drivers and crews of supporters. A compliment may get you a bribe, a small token with the name of the device, a drawing, or motto. Many of us wear the bribes we received in previous years on our hats and vests. Last year’s “Ham-Tastic Glory” has been transformed into this year’s “Ghoul Scouts,” complete with black and purple uniforms and lots and lots of merit badges.
Among the many categories of racers are those who travel with the ability to enter the water at any time (Ace) and those who stop and strap on pontoons or flotation devices so that they can pedal their way the 500 yards or so downstream. When the vehicles emerge from Humboldt Bay, they follow a course of back roads that take them by Eureka Natural Foods, where they have lunch, then zig and zag to the coast, ending the day at Crab Park, almost 20 miles down the coast.
The fun doesn’t stop after two days. On Day three racers head for the finish line but to get there they have to cross the Eel River. This is another hilarious part of the race. Again, some racers have all their equipment on board and head into the river. Others take some time to attach pontoons and flaps and things. Once in the river, the pilots pedal like mad, as there can be counter-currents and countervailing wind. Most of the vehicles that entered the water made it across. Ironically, the point of greatest difficulty is exiting the water, when wheels seem to either get stuck in the mud, or fail to get any traction at all.
The finish line is in Ferndale, a small town with lots of Victorian storefronts. There’s a band, people in costumes, cheering friends, families, and spectators. The first finisher, Muffintop Barbie, arrived before the finish line was even officially open.
We were at the finish too early to see most of the finishers. I’ll give you some summary coverage of the event. Overall, it was a great weekend.
Enjoy!
Llywindatravels 2025 