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What will your odyssey be? To win? Top two hundred? To finish? To just survive?
Will you, like our hero Homer, stand atop the Otway Ranges come February 18th, muddied but triumphant; a two wheeled warrior, conqueror of 100 kilometres of vertiginous climbs, thick swathes of forest and the odd mud monster clawing out from the ferns?
It’s a story only you will be able to tell after signing up for the Kona Odyssey, a marathon mountain bike journey like no other.
This is the one the mountain bike Gods look to, it’s the one they hold up as the biggest two wheel battlefield of all.
The Kona Odyssey. Ride your way into mountain bike mythology.
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Date Saturday, February 18th, 2012
Location Great Otway National Park, South-West Victoria
Format Kona Odyssey 100km - Apollo Bay to Forrest
Kona Shorty 50km - Forrest to Forrest
Kona Pioneer 15km - Forrest to Forrest
And of course, all good warriors back from battle deserve a good feast and festival – so stash the steed and enjoy plenty of food, entertainment, bike expos, live music and kids’ activities at the finish line.
NOTE: The new Kona Odyssey website is under construction and will be launched by October 21st. All the content on this (old) site is correct but new content, maps and other details will be uploaded soon.
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Starting on the Great Ocean Road in the picturesque town of Apollo Bay and finishing in the iconic MTB township of Forrest, the Otway Odyssey takes riders on an heroic 100km mountain bike journey through a range of wild landscapes in an Odyssey sent from the gods.
This is a race along roller coaster single track so much fun you’ll have a grin from ear to ear; it’s a race up hills so steep you’ll think your heart is going to leap from your chest; it’s a race down flowing fire roads and white knuckle double track that will put tears in your eyes and memories in your mind… and all this is amidst some of the most spectacular countryside you’ll ever see.
There are three course options ready to challenge any level of rider:
- The full 100km Otway Odyssey – starts at Apollo Bay and finishes at Forrest … providing ultimate bragging rights for all finishers!
- The 50km Otway Shorty – starts/finishes in Forrest that includes plenty of sweet single track (New course for 2010).
- The 15km Otway Pioneer – a fun event designed to give kids and beginners to the sport a taste of the action.
The 100km Otway Odyssey is undoubtedly one of Australia’s pinnacle MTB events providing riders with a supreme challenge, enjoyment and reward along some of the best trails in the land. Set yourself the benchmark and join us for a journey you will never forget.
Add to this a massive festival with plenty of food, entertainment, bike stands, live music and other activities at the finish line and this is the Ultimate MTB Marathon.
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RIDERS HEAT UP THE RED CENTRE AT THE INGKERREKE COMMERCIAL MOUNTAIN BIKE ENDURO (Posted 8/05/2013)
The five day, seven stage Ingkerreke Commercial Mountain Bike Enduro is set to heat up the mountain bike trails of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory next week, Monday 13 to Friday 17 May, 2013.
Now in its’ sixth year, the distinguished off-road stage race will see 200-plus riders take to the single tracks, dusty trails and endless blue skies on offer at one of Australia’s mountain bike hot spots. Click here for full story ...
WHAT ATTRACTS THIS CALIBRE OF RIDERS TO THE RED CENTRE?(Posted 16/04/2013)
Over the years, the Ingkerreke Commercial Mountain Bike Enduro has attracted everyone from top tier riders to those simply out for an adventure experience in the breathtaking landscapes of the Red Centre. Rapid Ascent caught up with three such riders – 2011 and 2012 defending champion Andy Blair; notable ‘roadie’ Wade Wallace of Cycling Tips; and Target-Trek rider Jenni King, to find out what has attracted them to ride the Red Centre, and the secrets behind their mountain bike passions. Click here for full story ...
EPIC VIDEO FOOTAGE - ALICE SPRINGS MOUNTAIN BIKE(Posted 27/03/2013)
"I’d heard rumors the trails were really good here; but this quantity, and this type of quality, wow no way! Amazing bright red and bright orange colours; it’s so varied. I honestly had no appreciation for just how visually cool it was going to be riding out here." - Chris Southwood
INGKERREKE COMMERCIAL MTB ENDURO - ALICE SPRINGS 13-18 MAY 2013. CHECK IT OUT!
Click here for full story ...
THE VOLUNTEERS(Posted 6/03/2013)
Nicole Cudia and Narelle Kenny - two proud wives - sent us a poem about their experiences volunteering for Rapid Ascent events (as they support their husbands with their adventure pursuits). A fantastic poem - thank you ladies! Check it out... Click here for full story ...
Kona Odyssey MTB Marathon entries are now open - with a NEW 100KM COURSE(Posted 8/10/2012)
Now headed into its seventh edition, Australia’s biggest mountain bike marathon the Kona Odyssey has opened for entries with news that the 100km event will feature a new loop course starting and finishing in the iconic MTB village of Forrest, in Victoria. Click here for full story ...
SANTA TERESA TO ALICE SPRINGS… BY MOUNTAIN BIKE (Posted 15/05/2013)
Northern Territory Major Events Stage 4 of the Ingkerreke Commercial Mountain Bike Enduro began in the remote community of Santa Teresa where riders were cheered off by the friendly locals to attack an 88km point to point outback course. Click here for full story ...
KONA ODYSSEY - Through the eyes of Adrian Jackson (100km 2nd Place)(Posted 19/02/2013)
Although not the longest running marathon race in Australia, the Kona Odyssey has carved a niche as one of the toughest and most respected one-day races in the country. I have a long personal involvement with the Odyssey having competed in all six previous editions. From the toughest first edition with the infamous Tiger Lane ascent, through the wet years, the hot years, the controversies, the glory, I have seen it all... Click here for full story ...
JONGEWAARD AND BUCHER PINCH 100KM KONA ODYSSEY MOUNTAIN BIKE CROWNS(Posted 16/02/2013)
Chris Jongewaard pinched his fourth win at the renowned 100km Kona Odyssey mountain bike marathon in Forrest Victoria today, with Swiss Xterra off-road triathlete, Renata Bucher, conquering the women’s race, amongst the throng of 1,800 riders. Click here for full story ...
Kona Odyssey Event Program now available (to download)(Posted 1/02/2013)
Heads up all Kona Odyssey MTB riders: the final details for the 2013 event have now been confirmed and the Official Race Program can now be downloaded from the event website here. Click here for full story ...
Team profile: The Tuesday Night Parma’s (is there a better team name out there?)(Posted 30/01/2013)
A smile leapt onto my face the other day when I was looking down the M2M entry list and saw that the Tuesday Night Parma’s had entered M2M for a third year in a row. With this much race cred, and a team name like that, I just had to get in touch and ask them a few questions for the benefit of all of us. Here is their (funny) story… Click here for full story ...
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Otway Odyssey familiarisation ride - 2012 date to be confirmed
The familiarisation day ride for the 2012 Otway Odyssey will be held on Saturday January 21st (this is a TENTATIVE DATE and will be confirmed nearer the time) and will be conducted by the Forrest Mountain Bike Club and is open to all riders to attend. The familiarisation day is conducted in a friendly, non competitive environment and provides the opportunity for riders to be lead over parts of the course used for either the 100km or 50km Otway Odyssey races. Members of the Forrest Mountain Bike Club will provide leadership for those attending the famil day and show you where the course goes and provide a few tips and ideas on how best to prepare for the race itself. There will be a $15 attendance fee per rider and that will go towards the Forrest MTB Club and will also cover the costs of a lunch time BBQ available to all famil riders once you have finished. All riders are asked to meet at the Forrest Brewery on the main street and be ready to ride at 8:45am when we will conduct a short briefing before departing on bikes at 9:00am. Please bring everything else you need to ride for 2-4 hours including water, food, spare tubes, pump and bike tools. Further details and an online registration form (so we have an idea of numbers) can be found on the Otway Odyssey event website here or call Norm Douglas for more info on (03) 5236-6424. MTBSkills.com will be running a MTB skills session on the Sunday following the familiarisation day (Jan 22nd) with Norm and Jess Douglas conducting a specialised clinic for up to 20 riders on how to ride the Odyssey trails with maximum efficiency and flow. Visit their website at www.MTBSkills.com.au for more details.
Please register if you think you will be attending by filling out the small registration box above and then we'll have an idea of who and how many people will be there on the day.
MTB Bike Skills Clinics
If you want a guided ride around the Forrest trails in your own time, added with some expert advice and riding skills sessions then look no further than MTB Bike Skills Clinics. Norm and Jess live locally in Forrest and know the trails inside out as well as how to pass on crucial skills for turning any rider into a confident / fast rider over any terrain. Check them out at www.mtbskills.com.au
Otway Expeditions Mountain Bike Tours
In addition, Otway Expeditions Mountain Bike Tours provide custom mountain bike tours out of Apollo Bay, e-mail Mike at otwayexpeditions@hotmail.com
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