Course Description
The text on this page was updated on 31/1/2012 and are the final details for the 2012 Kona Odyssey.
The 2012 Kona Odyssey event program containing all the details on this website plus additional diagrams, maps and sponsor offers can be downloaded from here.
100km Kona Odyssey Course Description:
Starting on the Great Ocean Road in the seaside town of Apollo Bay and finishing in the iconic MTB township of Forrest, the 100km Kona Odyssey MTB Marathon takes riders on a heroic mountain bike journey through a range of wild landscapes in an Odyssey sent from the gods.
Soon after starting riders climb the cleared hills surrounding Apollo Bay to take in the million-dollar coastal views before diving into the succulent Otway rainforest to tackle mountainous climbs and long, flowing descents on the first 67km leg to Forrest. This first leg takes you on an exciting journey through a mix of trails and terrain; from double tracks that climb and descend like a roller coaster to cranking single tracks through luscious tree ferns.
These flowing trails deliver you to ‘support crew central’ at the Forrest footy ground at the 67km point where you can pick up some more fuel from your enthusiastic supporters or take a longer break and buy a coffee and other foods from the extensive array of food stands before getting back to business on the bike.
Now you’ll head into the world renowned Yaugher single track wonderland for a 20km blast around the trails. The 2012 course will use a range of super fun trails from the smorgasbord on offer including the flowing Shotz Super Loop, the burms of Mariners Run, the technical J2 and sling shot fun of car wash before returning to the Forrest footy ground at the 87km point for a final refuel before the last 13km loop.
The final loop is where the pain receptors really kick into overload and the need to dig deep comes apparent if you’re going to remain sane. The loop includes a long gradual climb and then blasting single track descent that spits you out at the bottom of the Sledgehammer… ah, the infamous Sledgehammer… the grunty 100m climb that brings grown men to their knees that sees even the elite riders weep with trepidation! Conquer this and you will soon be rolling through the finish chute waving to the crowd on your way to enjoying a cold one at the event bar with the title of ‘MTB Legend’ firmly attached to your cross bar.
Complete the 100km Kona Odyssey and you have entered the limited domain of man / woman + machine who has triumphed over some of the most spectacular trails and terrain Australia has to offer and have earnt yourself the right to wear the event t-shirt with the grin of a rider who has accomplished something massive.
Click here to download an overview map of the whole course
Click here to download the Forrest section of the course (40km - 100km)
Click here to download a turn by turn description of the course.
Track Composition for 100k Kona Odyssey (approximate)
- 15% Bitumen
- 14% Unsealed road
- 36% Fire road & double track
- 35% Single track
50km Kona Shorty Course Description:
The 50km Kona Shorty is designed for intermediate riders who are not up to the principle 100km event and presents a course with plenty of single track and fun riding on some of the best trails in Forrest. In fact after the 2011 event many riders said it was the best 50km course they’d ever ridden with mile after mile of sweet single track get your lips smiling. We’ve got a few minor modifications in mind for 2012 so this year it’ll be even sweeter.
Starting at the Forrest Football Ground, 50km riders commence with a long but steady climb up Kaangalang Rd to the junction with the Noonday track where you turn left for your first taste of Forrest’s sweet single track with the popular Tunnel Vision trail giving a smile to all. Soon after all riders follow the fern lined double track down to the Lake Elizabeth car park before climbing back up the road and turning onto the renowned Red Carpet timed single track descent for a real blast of fun
The course continues over the spectacular West Barwon dam wall and then winds its way back to ‘spectator central’ at the Forrest footy ground at the 25km point for a chance to refuel for the fun ahead.
The second half of the 50km race gives riders a blast of some of the best single track in Australia with a flowing course through the Yaugher single track wonderland. The 2012 course will include the popular Shotz Superloop, fast flowing Foxtail, the challenging Yo-Yo, scenic Vista and Barre Warre trails to provide some challenging but enjoyable riding that’ll have you wooping for joy as you tick off km and after km of single track fun. The final 100m through the finish chute in the middle of the Forrest footy ground will have high-5ing the crowd as you roll across the line having completed one of the country’s most popular races. Well done.
Click here to download a map of the course
Note – the 100km and 50km courses have been designed to be quite separate so that faster 100km riders are not held up by slower 50km riders and visa versa. The two courses will share very little over lapping trails and should allow both riders to have their own space on the trails so neither need not worry about hold ups.
Track Composition for 50k Kona Shorty (approximate)
- 2% Bitumen
- 15% Unsealed Road
- 29% Fire road & double track
- 54% Single track
15km Kona Pioneer Course Description
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 completes a single loop starting and finishing in the Forrest footy ground and includes a 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. You’ve got to be in it to win it.
The courses
100km vs 50km courses
The 100km and 50km courses are almost completely different with very little overlap during the race. The only locations where both riders will be on the same course at the same time occur when riders come in / out of the Forrest Football Ground and for a short 1-2km section in the Yaugher Forrest and on the descent from Noonday/Kaangalang Rd junction thru to West Barwon Dam Wall.
Course marking
Each course will be marked with coloured arrows and tape specific to that race so all riders are strongly encouraged to PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE COLOUR OF THE ARROWS AND COURSE SIGNAGE marking your route so you don’t ride more than you need to. Course marking colours are detailed below:
100km vs 50km vs 15km course markings
All courses will be fully marked and all riders must follow the marked course without taking any short cuts.
The 100km course will be marked as follows:
- with red or orange arrows on a white background. Arrows indicate the correct route.
- with strips of bright orange / pink plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate that you are on the correct route.
The 50km course will be marked as follows:
- with large green arrows and smaller green/white arrows Arrows indicate the correct route.
- with strips of bright aqua/blue plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate that you are on the correct route.
The 15km course will be marked as follows:
- with blue arrows. Arrows indicate the correct route
- with strips of white plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate that you are on the correct route
For all courses:
- there will be red crosses ‘X’ at some intersections along with red and white barrier tape across some trails which indicate that this is the incorrect route, go back
- all intersections will be clearly marked and occasional markings with tape and or arrows along tracks to confirm that you are on the right route
- one or two pieces of the relevant coloured tape will always be placed immediately after a track junction to confirm you are travelling along the correct course.
- ‘Caution’ signs or signs with multiple arrows pointing down indicate that there is a difficult or technical section ahead and that you should definitely slow down and take care ahead.
There will also be a number of marshals at strategic locations to help direct you and provide emergency assistance if required.
Check Points
There are a number of checkpoints along the course through which all riders must pass to confirm you have completed the full and correct course. Check point marshals will be recording race numbers that we will use to double check results in the case of a protest.
Designated support area
Competitors may only receive external support from support crew within the confines of the Forrest Football Ground at the 67km and 87km points in the 100km race, and at the 25km point on the 50km race (approximate distances). This area is defined as any section along the course that is within the playing surface of the Forrest Football Ground.
Any riders seen to be receiving any external support outside of this designated area will be given a 30 minute penalty - this includes collecting water bottles or other hydration or nutrition from spectators as well as items that have been ‘pre-placed’ on the course for collection during the race. This will be strongly enforced in 2012 (as it was in 2011 when a line honours winning rider received a 30 minute penalty – we take this seriously).
Water on the course
There will be water available at the following points along the courses. The manned water points will have marshals providing Shotz Nutrition electrolyte tablets for your bottles if you need them, although we encourage all riders to be self sufficient and bring their own sports hydration and nutrition products.
Water on the 100km course
- 30km point. Barwon River. Stream fill up – beautiful clear water, fresher than out of a tap - water only, no marshals
- 34km point. Noonday Creek. Stream fill up – beautiful clear water, fresher than out of a tap - water only, no marshals .
- 39km point Hydration Station at the intersection of Kaangalang Rd and Noonday Track - tap fill up with Shotz Nutrition electrolyte tablets available from marshals if required
- 50km point Hydration Station at West Barwon Dam Wall picnic area - tap fill up with Shotz Electrolyte tablets available from marshals if required AND water bottle transfer location (see below)
- 67km point Hydration Station at the Forrest Festival. There will be taps located right next to the track with Shotz Electrolyte tablets available from marshals if required AND water bottle transfer location (see below)
- 87km point and the Hydration Station at the Forrest Festival again (same drink station as at the 67km point) AND water bottle transfer location (see below)
- 100km point Forrest Festival. Tap fill up, more water OR time for a beer and hamburger from the stall holders in the Festival
Water on the 50km course
- 25km point Hydration Station at the Forrest Festival. There will be taps located right next to the track with Shotz Electrolyte tablets available from marshals if required
- 50km point Forrest Festival. Tap fill up, more water OR time for a beer and hamburger from the stall holders in the Festival
Water on the 15km course
King / Queen of the Mountain
The King and Queen of the Mountain climb is limited to riders in the 100km Kona Odyssey and is located between the start in Apollo Bay and top of the first climb on Busty Rd (approximately at the 8km point). The climb is predominantly a sealed road and rises ~350m over its length (most of it in the last 3.5km).
The fastest male and female will receive $250 cash. The current record is held by Chris Jongewaard with 22.03min (2009) and the fastest female up the hill has been Helen Shelley with an impressive 26.19min (2009)
The Timed Descent
The Timed Descent is open to riders in both the 100km and the 50km event and will be held down the renowned ‘Red Carpet Track’ from where the track crosses the Lake Elizabeth Road down to where it emerges from the bush opposite the Bawon River in Forrest (approximately between the 39km – 47km points of the 100km course and between the 12km and 20km points of the 50km course. The descent flows over about 8km and drops approximately 350m from top to bottom.
The fastest male and female will receive $250 cash. The current record is held by Sid Tabberlay (2010) in an incredible 10:44min – see if you can beat that boys! Or take on Tory Thomas’ (2009) 13:06min for the ladies record.
PC wash
Together with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, we will be including a bike hygiene procedure to assist in the control of Phytophthora Cinnamomi, a little known introduced plant pathogen that can infect and kill native vegetation – often called ‘die back’ – that has the potential to destroy the Yaugher Single track we love so much.
All 100km riders must dismount and push their bikes through a shallow trough of Phyto-clean solution when they leave the Forrest Festival at the 67km point and again when they return to the Festival at the 87km point. All 50km riders must push their bikes through the shallow baths at the 49.5km point on entry to the Forrest Football Ground at the north west edge of the oval. It will be a very simple process; dismount, push bike through shallow bath of liquid, get on bike again and keep riding! – please respect the forest and help us ensure that the Kona Odyssey is a clean event.
Course changes
Please note that Rapid Ascent reserves the right to change or alter the course from the description above (due to fire, rain, private landowners or other reasons) and that any changes will be clearly communicated to riders through any of the following means:
- SMS sent to competitors phone
- during registration via announcements on the PA and notice posted on the race notice board on Friday evening at Forrest
- when riders are assembled at the start line or
- when riders pass a checkpoint
Please see the Emergency Plans and Procedures section below for more emergency plan information.