30km MTB – the rookie’s race + Odyssey Angels
The 30km course is designed equally for novice mountain bikers, first time racers or capable junior riders who are looking for a race to match their skills and help them set up to bigger challenges. If you love your bike and are getting up to speed with events, building your confidence or just want something that’s fun – then the 30km race is the one for you.
The 30km course isn’t as technical as the other MTB races, it avoids the biggest climbs and the steepest descents, goes around the more technical trails and has plenty of support out on the course if you come unstuck. That’s not to say we removed the flow – NO WAY – the 30km has plenty of single track, swooping corners and place to yell YAHOO at every opportunity.
The 30km event is also very welcoming of female riders and our Odyssey Angels– with a less intimidating optional female-only start and plenty of Ride Angels to check your progress.
COURSE SUMMARY
Start / finish: Forrest Football Ground
Date: Sunday 1st March
Race Start: 10:45am mixed gender start. 10:50am female only start.
Length and elevation: 30km with 585m ascent
Course Segments:
- 12km leg 1: Uphill to warm you up
Racing kicks off with a 4km climb on a dirt road to warm the body up and then it’s onto the popular Red Carpet for a flying descent down a trail that’s full of YAHOO corners and YIPPEE rollers that’ll put a smile on every dial. Loop though the new flow trails and you’re nearly half way done.
- 18km Leg 2: let it flow
Refill at the footy ground and then it’s into Yaugher for plenty of single track fun, riding some of the most popular trails like Mariners Run and the Super Loop as you weave through the grass trees. There’s a few undulations but nothing to slow your momentum before you roll through the finish arch back at the footy ground. Well done. .
CLIF Nutrition and Skratch Hydration points:
- WP1: 12km pt at the Football Ground
- WP2: 22km Cemetery Rd
- Finish: 30km mark
Double up?
Make the most of your weekend in Forrest by ‘doing a double’ and racing on Saturday and Sunday! (and get 40% off the 2nd entry fee!). Here are a couple of double-up options (more details here):
- How about racing the 10km MTB on Saturday and the 30km MTB on Sunday? OR
- Ride the 49km Gravel on Saturday and the 30km MTB on Sunday?! Mix and match how you like!
COURSE MAP
FAQ ABOUT THE 30KM EVENT
How busy will the trails be?
The 30km course starts up a wide 2wd dirt road that gives you plenty of time (and space) to find your spot in the peloton and settle in with others the same speed.
Will we be on the same trails as faster riders from other races?
NO. The 30km race starts over 2hours after the 50km race. You ride many of the same trails but the faster 50km riders will be far ahead of the 30km field.
Tell me about the WOMEN’S ONLY START?
There is a mixed gender start at 10:45am where all males and any fast or confident females are welcome to start. And then 5mins later is a female only start that provides a really welcoming and less intimidating start for women who might be new to racing. You still race the same course and are listed in the same results, you just start later when it’s all a bit quieter.
Can kids do it by themselves?
YES YES YES. We love kids and fully believe that they can do these events without close parental supervision. There are plenty of other adults on the course to help if they need it, there are race officials to support if anything goes wrong and kids are amazing and should be given opportunities to do awesome stuff as well.
“I do this race with a group of 10 people and we look forward to doing it each year!” – Justin, 2022 participant.
“The Rookie (30km) was a fantastic introduction to MTB. Just the right length, good level of technical stuff so it felt like an achievement to finish but not too intimidating. Love the women only start.” Angela Johnson, 2020 30km Participant
COURSE VIDEOS AND INDEX MAP – 30KM COURSE
We made 4 little video clips on the 30km course to show you what it looks like and to dispel any concerns about what’s involved. The course has changed a bit since this was filmed but the ideas, trails and content is still exactly the same.
- Video #1: The start / finish venue at the Forrest Footy Ground.
- Video #2: The first 5km of 30km (and 50km) course.
- Video #3: The Red Carpet single track descent. UPDATE: the Red Carpet tk was renovated in 2021 – here is a video of the ‘new track’.
- Video #4: The Yaugher single track.
RIDER ETIQUETTE
Passing etiquette – TAKE NOTE!
With a large number of riders a narrow trails there are a few points of common etiquette when it comes to passing a rider that we ask ALL RIDERS to be aware of. (Seriously – being passed by a fast rider is an incredibly intimidating thing for some riders so please be aware of these points).
If you are a faster rider who wants to pass a slower rider:
- Let the slower rider know you are there and want to pass. Say something like, “Can I go past when there’s a chance…” or even “Track please” if you’re short of breath. Then wait for a wider section of track – don’t just barge on through
- The slower rider can then say, “OK, go past on the right” or “just up here it’s a bit wider, go there”. But it’s good to acknowledge that you heard them and give direction for when they can go past
- The faster rider should not and does not expect to go past the moment they catch you, slower riders should stick to their line and call them through when it suits both of you
- If you are going to pass then make sure you are actually faster, don’t pass if you are pushing 120% effort to get around them and then slow down afterwards
Both riders should leave your ego in the car park and simply communicate that you want to pass and agree a point when it suits to pass. Happy riding!