Otway Odyssey gets ready to roll

MOUNTAIN bikers are gearing up for this weekend’s Otway Odyssey.

The race weekend has become one of the most highly anticipated fixtures on Australia’s mountain biking calendar, with the Otway forest providing challenging and unique courses.

Long-time Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club member Richard South is a regular competitor in the event and says it is clear why it is loved by so many mountain bikers.

“It’s one of the best of its kind in Australia.

“It’s one of the hardest, one of the longest but everyone keeps going back.”

South said many Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club members race in the event and practice on the trails in the lead up to it.

“Lots of people have been training up particularly for it. Because it’s so local for us, a lot of people really want to do well.”

There are six separate races, including the inaugural 30-kilometre Odyssey Angles, an event exclusively for female mountain bikers.

The other courses are the 100-kilometre Otway Odyssey, the 50-kilomtre Short, the 30-kilometre Rookie, the 10-kilometre Pioneer, and the Grommets fun ride for children.

On Sunday the Great Otway Gravel Grind then takes place, with courses 49 and 97-kilometres long.

Riders competing in both the Otway Odyssey and the 97-kilometre Great Otway Gravel Grind have the chance to earn the title of King or Queen of the Mountain if they are the fastest over the two races.

People can enter on the day, although it is slightly cheaper to register beforehand. Head to otwayodyssey.rapidascent.com.au.