EVENT DESCRIPTION 

The Kona Odyssey is the pinnacle mountain bike marathon in Australia with challenging, scenic, fun and flowing mountain bike courses across the three races contested during the event.

Each race includes some of the best MTB single track in Australia, centred around the mountain biking Mecca of Forrest in the Great Otway National Park.

There are three course options available as part of the Kona Odyssey so there is a MTB challenge to suit any level of rider:

• The full 100km Kona Odyssey – presenting a new and improved (if that was possible!) course for 2013 that starts and finishes at Forrest … ultimate bragging rights for all finishers!
• The 50km Kona Shorty – starts and finishes in Forrest that includes plenty of sweet single track
• The 15km Kona Pioneer – a fun event designed to give kids and beginners to the sport a taste of the action.

Having started in 2007, the Kona Odyssey is undoubtedly one of Australia’s landmark MTB events and provides riders with a supreme challenge, enjoyment and reward along some of the best trails in the land. The quality of the riding and the superb scenery, combined with a massive bike expo with food stands, live music and entertainment at the finish line make this THE ULTIMATE MTB MARATHON IN AUSTRALIA.

Race summaries

The 100km Kona Odyssey - NEW COURSE FOR 2013

The 100km race is the big race of the weekend with a capacity field of 1,000 riders tackling this renowned challenge. In 2013 this premier race will start for the first time in Forrest and take in an heroic bike journey through a range of wild landscapes in an Odyssey sent from the Gods.

The 100km Kona Odyssey is equally renowned for three things a) as one of the toughest marathons in Australia as it includes a number of lung busting hills as you climb to the very top of the Otway Ranges and b) for the sense of journey and reward the course provides as you ride through a range of incredible landscapes, and c) for the quantity and quality of the single track included along its length.

The new course does nothing but magnify all three aspects. The all new start and early kilometres will give riders the opportunity to self seed, but don't get into relaxed mode - you may not be rising from the seaside to mountaintop, but this new course is by no means easier (like we'd do that to you!). There remain plenty of hills (in fact, this course could be considered hillier, although the early 'unrideable' hills in the original course have disappeared, reducing the congestion factor). But the thigh smashers are balanced by the fact that there is now more flowing singletrack overall. The loop course also means easier logistics for competitors with everything (accommodation, etc) centred in Forrest.

So set yourself the challenge, look forward to the interest factor of an all new course and join us for a journey you will never forget.

The 50km Kona Odyssey Shorty

The 50km race is fast becoming known as one of the most popular mid distance races in Australia with a capacity field of 800 riders conquering this secondary Odyssey course. Designed to be as enjoyable to novices and new comers to mountain biking as for the fast riders off the front of the field, the 50km Shorty starts and finishes in Forrest and makes for an excellent half day’s riding.

Including its own mix of dirt roads, double track and single tracks that wind through the Otways, the Shorty has its own beautifully flowing course that includes plenty of stunning sections that’ll put a smile on your dial no matter what your level of experience is and remains a fun event for all riders.

The 15km Kona Pioneer

The 15km Kona Pioneer is designed for kids and new comers to the sport of mountain biking and will provide you with a taste of the thrills and spills of this fantastic sport. The course includes a steady mix of 4WD tracks, swooping single track, rainforest, roads and country scenery. It’s a loop that gives kids the chance to develop their riding skills and non riders the chance to have a bit of fun.

Kona Odyssey Courses

Click here for a description of each course along with course maps and associated info.

If you have never ridden around Forrest before then you are in for a real treat with many people considering these purpose built mountain bike trails among the best trails in Australia. The Kona Odyssey highlights the best of these trails as a real showcase of the riding potential in the Otway Ranges.

If you want to know more about the course for the event itself then keep reading this website for a description and maps... and if you want to learn more about riding in and around Forrest itself then click onto www.rideforrest.com as a purpose built website that profiles the tracks, the township and region and what kind of riding you can expect in the area.