GIANT Odyssey
Off Road Handcycling Event at the Giant Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon
News Release / 04.04.2014
For the first time in Australia, there will be a specific off road handcycle category and course, completely integrated into a mainstream mountain biking event - the Giant Odyssey!
Event organiser, Rapid Ascent, has introduced handcycling into the 2014 Giant Odyssey mountain biking marathon at Forrest, Victoria, to be held on Sunday 27th April.
Off road handcycles are mountain bikes for people who have suffered some loss of function in their lower limbs due to disability or impairment.
The handcycles are HAND POWERED, fully geared machines that are almost as capable off road as a traditional mountain bike. Not only do they let users access places that they could not in a wheelchair, but they let them do it FAST! And make no mistake, with a bit of training and a lack of fear, these handcycles can fly!
Off road handcycles give people with disabilities the ability to ride bikes again, get back into nature and explore the bushland, tracks and trails, providing experiences that are often out of reach for those who have suffered some loss of mobility.
According to Campbell Message, Leisure Specialist with the Spinal Cord Service, being able to explore the bush is a daydream for many people with spinal cord injuries and off road handcycling allows this.
“The Giant Odyssey is giving people the chance to take part in a mainstream event, allowing them to go head to head with family and friends and challenge themselves on a course designed with handcycles in mind,” said Message.
“This will be incredible as it’s the first time an off road handcycle division has been incorporated into such a huge event!
“I can’t wait to see (and be a part of) a bunch of handcycles getting dirty and flying down the trails.
“It’s not about people with disabilities; it’s about people pushing their physical limits - it’s just that some of us will be using an extra wheel,” he said.
Rapid Ascent encourages all mountain bikers, whether riding handcycles or not, to come and be a part of this huge event, and test your fitness and skills over either the 100km, 50km or 15km courses.
The handcycles will start with the other 15km riders and complete a shorter – approximately 6km - course on a mixture of dirt roads and double tracks before finishing under the finish arch on the Forrest Football Ground with the other event competitors.
Handcyclists can bring a companion to assist if required, and there will be accessible parking and toilet facilities available.
Entries are now open online, with all participants receiving the official event t-shirt. For details visit www.GiantOdyssey.com.au
The Giant Odyssey is one of Australia’s biggest and most respected mountain bike marathons and annually brings thousands of riders and spectators to the Otway Ranges around Forrest. Starting and finishing on the Forrest Football Ground, the Giant Odyssey includes the 100km Odyssey, 50km Shorty and 15km Pioneer events so just about anyone can be involved.
There is also a range of food and entertainment on the Forrest Football Ground and the spectacle of the racers coming through that makes it a popular event for spectators as well. See you in Forrest!
Giant Odyssey is Supporting Michael Blyth
The Giant Odyssey event organiser, Rapid Ascent, is sharing Michael Blyth’s story to help out and try to put a smile back on Michael’s face!
Michael Blyth was a passionate mountain bike rider who suffered a horrific spinal injury whilst mountain biking in May 2013, at just 18 years of age. This has resulted in paralysis from the abdomen down and moved him from riding his bike, to riding a wheel chair.
Michael has undergone extensive rehabilitation in the Royal Talbot Rehab Centre to learn how to adapt to life in a wheelchair and is now back home to try and get on with his life.
Apart from the devastation of the injury, the financial strain that is now burdening Michael and his family is only another battle. Michael is not financially covered by TAC or the National Disability Insurance Scheme, so the Blyth family is forced to pick up all the costs of his rehab, alterations to the family home and car, and all other treatment costs themselves.
Michael has been appointed as a Giant Odyssey event ambassador and given an official event jersey and gear – making him feel like a rider again. He will be involved with the event start process and encouraged to get amongst the race atmosphere.
Rapid Ascent also has dreams of helping Michael get a handcycle so he can ride again and will be fundraising for Michael throughout the event. This will include the auction of a Giant Anthem bike through eBay, which has been generously provided by Giant Bikes. The eBay auction will commence in the week prior to the event and close the day after, giving people ample opportunity to bid; and also to raise as much money as possible for Michael. Details of the auction will be provided on Facebook www.facebook.com/
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