The official Event Program for the 2013 Ford Rainforest Ride can be downloaded from here. This PDF document contains all the event schedule, guidelines and other important ride information and we encourage all riders to download and read it prior to the ride. Updated 14 Feb 2013.

Event Schedule

Saturday 23rd February 2013 
5:00pm – 8:00pm     Event information marquee open for event enquiries, new entries, ride information and last minute seat post sticker pick up
   
Sunday 24th February 2013
7:00am - 5:30pm      Event information marquee open for event enquiries, new entries, ride information and last minute seat post sticker pick up
8:00am                     140km Rainforest Circuit starts from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay   
9:00am                     70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride start from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay
10:00am                   23km Waterfall Explorer start from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay


Rider Registration

All riders must have your seat post sticker on your bike before starting your ride. These stickers will be circulated as follows:
   
140km and 70km riders:

• 1st Mail Out - If you have entered before 9am February 8th we will post these to you before the event
• 2nd Mail Out - If you enter after February 8th and before 9am February 15th we will post these to you on February 16th
• If you enter after February 15th you must collect your seat post sticker from the Event Information marquee on the Apollo Bay foreshore before your ride
23km riders – doing the Waterfall Explorer:

• You must collect your seat post sticker from the Event Information marquee on the Apollo Bay foreshore before your ride
NOTE: You do NOT need to ‘register’ at the Event Information marquee  if you are already entered into the event and received your seat post sticker in the mail.


Apollo Bay - start & finish of all rides

Apollo Bay is the start and finish location of all rides and is located on the Great Ocean Road, approximately 180km from Melbourne. The quickest way to drive there from Melbourne is via the ‘inland route’ around the Geelong ring road and then via Winchelsea and Forrest – taking approximately 2 ¼ hrs.
   
Apollo Bay has a complete range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes, beaches and all the other services any tired rider (or their non riding companion) could ever want, so we encourage all riders to stay on Saturday night and enjoy the location.



EVENT INFORMATION

The event information marquee will be set up on the grassy foreshore on the Great Ocean Road near the golf course. This is at the southern end of the town centre. This will be the centre of the event and will include:

Saturday evening between 5:00pm and 8:00pm:

• Event Information Marquee for event inquiries, new entries, ride information and last minute seat post sticker pick up
• On site bike shop for servicing and accessories
• Tables, chairs, bike racks, and a relaxed pre-ride environment

Sunday between 11:00am and 4:00pm
The features listed above plus

• Event Information Marquee for event inquiries, new entries, ride information and last minute seat post sticker pick up (will be open between 7:00am and 5:30pm)
• BBQ serving sausages and burgers
• Live music and local entertainment
  
• Random prizes and give aways

RIDE START LINE


Each ride will officially start from opposite the event expo on McLaren Pde at the start listed in the schedule. McLaren Pde runs off the Great Ocean Rd at the southern end of the main shopping strip, opposite the event centre on the foreshore. All participants are encouraged to start their ride from this start location at the nominated start time so you can enjoy the spectacle and atmosphere of setting off on the ride together.

Start instructions:
All riders are to gather on McLaren Pde (which will be closed to cars) and await the starters instructions before turning onto the Great Ocean Road and setting off on your ride.



RIDE FINISH LINE


We greatly encourage all riders to finish your ride by rolling through the finish line where you will receive your participant pack of sponsors’ info.
   
The finish will also feature food, coffee, some live music, kids entertainment and event information marquee. It's the ideal location to share a few stories with other riders at the end of your day on the bike. Don’t miss it.

Finish instructions
140km and 70km rides:

• When returning into Apollo Bay, finishing riders must continue straight across the Great Ocean Road through the golf club car park and ride their bikes 100m down the good gravel path into the finish area.

23km ride:

• When returning from Paradise Valley, finishing riders must cross over the Great Ocean Road and then turn left through the golf club car park and ride their bikes 100m down the good gravel path into the finish area



Rider identification

NUMBERED SEAT POST STICKERS

All riders who have entered either the 140km, 70km or 23km Ford Rainforest Ride rides before February 8th (1st mail out) and February 15th (2nd mail out) will receive your uniquely numbered seat post sticker in the mail before the ride.
   
If you enter any of the rides after February 15th or if (for some other reason?) you have not received your stickers in the post beforehand, please come to the Event Information marquee before your ride, during the times listed in the schedule above to collect your stickers so we know you are an eligible rider participating in the event.

These seat post stickers are effectively your ‘tickets’ into the event and allow us to see who has entered the event, allow you entry into the rides as well as the various destinations on your ride like the Otway Fly, Cape Otway Lighthouse, waterfalls and water points plus bike servicing and other event features. It is imperative that these stickers are placed on your seat post before you start riding.

Please put the seat post stickers on carefully by putting the middle of the sticker on the front of your seat post and then folding it back around the seat post and then back onto the sticker itself so the numbered section sticks out perpendicular and is easy to read from the side. (If there is not enough space between your seat and your top tube then put the sticker around your top tube and face the number down towards the ground).



EVENT JERSEYS

Ford Rainforest Ride Event Jerseys are available for purchase for just $65! 

Manufactured by local company Body Torque, these event jerseys are in limited numbers so please order now to avoid disapointment!

Go to the merchandise page for more information on how to order.

 

NEW ENTRIES - ENTRIES ARE STILL OPEN

The Ford Rainforest Ride is still open to enter. We will be welcoming any new riders right up until the start of each ride so if any of your family or friends want to be involved as well, they are most welcome, just come and see us in the Event Information Marquee before starting the ride.



Participants' Support

Being active riders ourselves, we understand what turns a good ride into a great ride and as such we will go the extra mile to ensure that you have an excellent day out on your bike on February 24th with the following competitors’ support facilities:   



Medical support

The professional services of Event Aid, (Lucas - 0427 236 064) a dedicated medical contractor, have been employed for the Ford Rainforest Ride and will respond to any medical incident during the event with three mobile units and a medical base at Apollo Bay. If you are involved in an incident that requires medical assistance then please contact the medical team directly via Lucas and they will dispatch assistance as soon as possible.

The medical teams will be driving around the ride routes and will respond to any incident as soon as alerted. There is moderate mobile reception over the ride routes but if you are in patchy reception:

• Try sending a text message to medical team with your location and brief explanation.
• Advise other riders to ‘carry the message forward’ to the next marshal, water point or next area of reception to get the message tomedical team. Please ensure that someone stays with the injured person at all times.
• Seek assistance from any passing motorist who can also carry the message forward to medical team.
There will be 2 roaming medical crews on the course plus a permanent medical crew at the event finish line, all of whom can provide medical support and assistance if required and may be contacted on 0427 236 064.
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Mechanical support
There will be an onsite bike shop during the event and will be set up to provide any last minute repairs and spare parts over the event weekend. They will be set up adjacent the Event Information Marquee on the Apollo Bay foreshore on Saturday morning and will have a range of simple spares and supplies. Please note there will be a cost associated with any repairs or spare parts.

Having said that, we strongly encourage all riders to get your bike serviced BEFORE THE EVENT so that is it running well and a pleasure to ride beforehand. We anticipate the bike shop to be quite busy on Friday evening so make sure you’re not the one waiting around to get your bike fixed when you could do it now!

If your bike ‘has a mechanical’ during the ride and cannot be ridden any further call Event Management via John on 0408 035 261 or Sam on 0400 001786 and we will arrange assistance for you.

Rider support – ‘service stations’
It might be well and good that we can service your bike during the ride, but what about you – the rider?! Well, don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered as well, with a range of water points and ‘service stations’ for riders around the course.
   
Refer to the ‘service stations’ points listed under your ride below. Each ride will have a number of locations where you can stop for a drink and a bite to eat. Each service station will have (at least) some water for you to fill up your water bottles, some cake and / or lollies to give you a bit more energy, a toilet and some friendly marshals.

Shoe shuttles to rest points
All of the Ford Rainforest Ride rides (140km, 70km and 23km rides) include optional stop-offs at some spectacular tourist locations and we encourage you to break your ride up by enjoying these locations during the day. But we realise it’s pretty awkward to walk around in your rigid cycling shoes!

We offer to transport a pair or ‘normal’ shoes and some warmer clothes to each of the following points to allow you to get around a little easier!

Shoe shuttles for 140km Rainforest Circuit

• We will take a pair of shoes and clothing from Apollo Bay to the Otway Fly and then back to Apollo Bay.
• We will take a second pair of shoes and clothing to the service station at Maits Rest and then back to Apollo Bay.

Shoe shuttles for 70km Lighthouse Ride
We will take a pair of shoes and clothing from Apollo Bay to the service station at Maits Rest and then back to Apollo Bay.

Shoe Shuttles for the 23km Waterfall Explorer
We will take a pair of shoes and clothing from Apollo Bay to the turn around point and start of the Mariners Falls walking trail and then back to Apollo Bay.

To get your shoes and clothing transported to each of these locations please follow these procedures:

• Take your shoes and clothing for transportation to the event information marquee on the Apollo Bay foreshore at least 1 hour before the commencement of your ride (ideally drop them off on Saturday night)
• Have your shoes in a closed bag with your name and rider number clearly marked (we will have luggage tags if you need them)
• We will then transport your belongings to the appropriate location, and you may collect them by presenting your rider number on your helmet or bike
• Once you have finished your walk then give us your shoes and clothing back again and we will return them to the event information marquee where you can collect them upon presentation of your rider number once again. Easy!




Rider support – ‘service stations’

It is well and good that we can service your bike during the ride, but what about you – the rider?! Well, don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered as well, with a range of water points and ‘service stations’ for riders around the course.

Listed below are the service stations located around each ride. Each service station will have (at least) some water for you to fill up your water bottles, some cake and / or lollies to give you a bit more energy, a toilet and some friendly marshals.


140km RIDE SERVICE STATIONS

Beech Forest – John Gardner Reserve 38km point
A scenic little village on the Otway Ridegeline.


• Water, snakes and cake
• Public toilet available
  

Otway Fly Tree Top Walk 44km point
Participants in the 140km ride receive free entry to this internationally renowned tree top walk through the rainforest. It is well worth stopping on your way around the ride. It’s a 1.9km walk and takes 45min - 1hr or so.


• The Otway Fly cafe will be open offering lunches, snacks and coffee
• Water
• Public toilet available
• Free shoe shuttle service provided by Rapid Ascent (saves you having to walk around in your bike shoes) – refer details under ‘Competitors Services’ above
• Bike security provided at bike racks while you enjoy the walk

Lavers Hill 63km point
A small township at the intersection of the GOR and the Beech Forest – Lavers Hill Road.


• Water, snakes and cake
• Public toilet available
• Selection of retail stores and cafes selling a complete range of food and drinks

  
  Otway Lightstation 103km point
  Participants in the 140km and 70km ride receive free entry to the spectacular lighthouse grounds atop the mighty cliffs of the Cape. Enjoy the historic buildings and lighthouse precinct or just sit on the lawns and take in the very impressive views.
  

  • Otway Lightstation café open serving coffee, lunches and snacks
  • Water, snakes and cake
  • Public toilet available
  • Bike security provided at bike racks whilst you wander around

  Maits Rest 120km point
  A car park and short nature walk through the rainforest in the Great Otway National Park
  

  • Water, snakes and cake
  • Public toilet available
  • Free walking shoe shuttle service provided by Rapid Ascent (saves you having to walk around in your bike shoes) – refer details under ‘Competitors Services’ above
  • Bike security provided at bike racks whilst you enjoy the walk
  
  

  70km Rider service stations

  Maits Rest 15km point and again at the 50km point
  

  • A car park and short nature walk through the rainforest in the Great Otway National Park
  • Water, snakes and cake   
  • Public toilet available
  • Free walking shoe shuttle service provided by Rapid Ascent (saves you having to walk around in your bike shoes) – details under ‘Competitor Services’ above
  • Bike security provided at bike racks whilst you enjoy the walk

  Otway Lightstation 33km point
  Participants in the 140km and 70km ride receive free entry to the spectacular lighthouse grounds atop the mighty cliffs of the Cape. Enjoy the historic buildings and lighthouse precinct or just sit on the lawns and take in the very impressive views.
  

  • Otway Lightstation café open serving coffee, lunches and snacks
  • Water, Shotz nutrition, snakes and cake
  • Public toilet available
  • Bike security provided at bike racks whilst you wander around

  
  

  23km rider service stations

  Mariners Falls car park, Features:
  

  • Water, snakes and cake
  • Public toilet available
  • Free walking shoe shuttle service provided by Rapid Ascent (saves you having to walk around in your bike shoes) – refer details under ‘Competitor Services’ above
  • Bike security provided at bike racks
  • Coffee vendor to be in attendance at car park
  
  

  Equipment and Riding Conditions

  The riding and scenery of the Ford Rainforest Ride really is world class, so it would be a shame if your ride was brought to a premature end by not having your bike and equipment well prepared before the event. Take the step now, and get an expert to look at your bike and ensure it is running well and will carry you around your route.
  
  Here is a small check list of things to prepare and take with you on the day
  
  • Make sure your bike is running smoothly with gears well tuned, brakes working efficiently, tyres in good condition and not worn down, water bottle cages fitted and secure, and have a quality seat that you’re comfortable with.
  • Also spend a little time planning what you are going to wear. Comfortable bike nicks and a quality jersey make all the difference… and we’d encourage you to wear your event jersey because it’s a quality garment built for the job!
  • The conditions along each of the ride routes are likely to vary dramatically, so give yourself plenty of options for hot and cold conditions. Arm and leg warmers are a great start as they can easily give you extra warmth when needed but can be taken off easily when you don’t. They also fit in your jersey pocket.
  • Have a plan for what you are going to eat and drink on the day. Test some of the sport specific foods and drinks before the day, and prepare small amounts of food to take with you.
  • Money – there will be a number of locations where you can stop and buy yourself a coffee or slice of cake on the 140km ride as well as the 70km ride, so be sure to take some money with you.
  • Make a note of our mobile phone 0408 035261 (John) or 0400 001768 (Sam) and our emergency telephone numbers so you can call for some help if you need it.
  • Spare tube, pump, bike tool and puncture repair kit. These could definitely save the day, and easily fit in a saddle bag under your seat.
  
  The weather
  There is no denying the main reason why rainforests exist – because they get a lot of rain! The weather in the Otway Ranges around Apollo Bay is very different to Melbourne, so just because it may be forecast to be ‘partly cloudy and 24 in Melbourne’ doesn’t mean it will be the same in the Otways.
  
  Additionally, the weather along Turtons Track and past the Otway Fly on the 140km ride and at the Cape Otway Lighthouse on the 70km ride will most likely be very different to the weather in Apollo Bay. So we encourage all riders to carry a light weight jacket if it turns cold, as well as arm and leg warmers.
  
  We will provide up-to-date weather information at the start of the ride but make sure you bring plenty of options if the weather is a bit average.
  
  
  

  Refund Policy

  • 2 weeks prior to event: Refund can be offered less a administration fee. (140km - $40, 70km - $30, 23km - $10) You must inform us in writing (email is sufficient) before this time.
  • 2 weeks prior to event: No refund
  • In the event that the race is cancelled due to extreme climatic conditions, no refund will be given.

The official Event Program for the 2013 Ford Rainforest Ride can be downloaded from here. This PDF document contains all the event schedule, guidelines and other important ride information and we encourage all riders to download and read it prior to the ride. Updated 14 Feb 2013.