Otway Odyssey MTB presented By FOCUS

Otway Odyssey MTB Back on the Trails in February

Press Release / 17.09.2021

The Otway Ranges and Forrest trails are set to come alive again with entries now open to the 2022 Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon and Great Otway Gravel Grind events on 26 to 27 February.

After a record breaking weekend earlier this year, the event is expected to continue its reign as Australia’s most respected mountain bike and gravel grind race.

“The Otway Odyssey is such a special weekend; it’s where riders congregate to experience the thrill of racing as well as the satisfaction of conquering a personal challenge,” said Sam Maffett, General Manager, Rapid Ascent.

The 2022 event will see a number of exciting changes and tweaks put into play that will continue the Odyssey’s constant evolution and refinement. These include new courses for the 100km and 50km MTB races, and a rejigged event schedule to reduce congestion and to ensure a memorable race experience for all types of riders, regardless of race choice.

Races include the premier 100km mountain bike race that will start and finish in Forrest; along with the 50km, 30km and 10km MTB races, and the ‘Grommets ride’ for kids.

The 100km MTB course will go back to starting and finishing in Forrest, with the popular single track sections brought earlier into the course, giving riders a chance to race with fresher legs. The real challenges will appear towards the end with the biggest climbs and fastest descents saved for the final 20km of the course.

“We’ve purposely made this a tough course!” said Event Director and course designer John Jacoby. “It is a true test of skill and endurance where riders will experience plenty of flowing single track and blitzing descents, but will be challenged by a number of lung-busting climbs!”

As National Champion and three-time Olympic representative Bec McConnell found out in 2021; “That was a tough course; it certainly lived up to the reputation that I heard about it!” said McConnell.

The  popular 50km Otway Shorty course will now include Forrest’s most popular single tracks, making it something of a ‘best-of-the-best’ circuit for all riders.

Complimenting the MTB races is the Great Otway Gravel Grind—known as “the GOGG”— returning for its sixth year with 97km and 49km course options.

The gravel grind races are conducted along the smooth rolling dirt roads that permeate the Otway Ranges surrounding Forrest, and offers sweeping views over the Great Ocean Road region. The popular ‘time-out zones’ are also included where riders can stop for a coffee and wait for friends without impacting their ‘race’ time.

“I loved the time-out zones! Meant I could catch up with mates and also appreciate what a special part of the world I was riding in!” said Mark, a 97km Gravel Grind competitor. 

2022 will see the continuation of the Odyssey Angel's program which began in 2017 and offers an engaging range of initiatives to support and encourage female riders to participate in events like these.

All races will start and finish amidst a huge bike expo and food festival at the Forrest Football Ground.

“It’s hard to not get excited about the Otway Odyssey,” said Maffett. “It really is one of the best weekends you can have on two wheels and we can’t wait see the trails of the Otways come alive again for riders to experience the thrills of such a reputable mountain bike event.”

Entries to the 2022 Otway Odyssey and Great Otway Gravel Grind are now open online at www.OtwayOdyssey.com.au and www.TheGOGG.com.au.