Course Information

We all know that women can achieve anything and are as tough as any bloke right…?! Right.

But if you are a bit unsure of yourself and are new to this cycling thing then here are a few recommendations for which of the Otway Odyssey races are best for you. There’s definitely a goal here for you, after all, most of the time it’s the journey to get to the start line as much as the race experience itself!

INDEX:

“I am feeling pretty damn happy with myself and with an absolutely amazing chick who encouraged me to the very end, Rhea Green! What a ride what a challenge; I loved meeting you ladies! Well done to all the awesome chicks out there, you guys are amazing!!!” Laura Payne, 2021 Angels participant.

30KM MTB COURSE DESCRIPTION

  • SUNDAY 23 February, 2025
  • Start/Finish Forrest Football Oval, Forrest Victoria
  • 9:40am female only START (the main start at 9:30am)
    • NOTE, capable female riders who wish to start in the main 30km group can do so. This women’s only start is for those who may be less sure, and happier starting with just females.

COURSE MAP ON TRAIL FORKS – CLICK HERE >>

The 30km Rookie is a mid-distance course that’s designed for mountain bike newcomers, riders who are new to mountain biking and/or racing, and capable junior riders. It is a great course that is both challenging and achievable for all types of riders who don’t want to do the full 50km or 100km races.

With the female-only start (15mins after the male field), and our Odyssey Angels on hand for any last minute bike maintenance or advice and support on course, this ride is sure to provide you with a great riding environment with like-minded women.

With the course successfully moved to Sunday’s program, course congestion has eased from other races which was well received in 2022. The 30km course also has more KM’s in Yaugher Forest this year; and less climbing overall (compared to 2019) such as the beginning of the course up Kaangalang Road which was reduced in length.

You’ll start with your fellow riders on a gradual climb on Kaangalang Road which quickly turns into a 2WD dirt road. This section is a great way to warm up the legs into the ride and will  get you comfortable with your surroundings, your bike and might give you the chance to have a chat with some of the other riders as you pedal through the tall timber forest around you!

After approximately 3km you’ll turn RIGHT onto the Red Carpet single track descent which will have you smiling with excitement and challenge you with its twists and turns! No shame in hopping off your bike if you need to walk a section or two though!

The Red Carpet is the name given to a popular 4km (you will ride the final 2.5km)  flowing downhill section of track, giving you the chance to roll back down the hill and experience the thrill of mountain biking in a breathtaking setting. It’s generally a gradual descent, with no steep drops.   Take your time and enjoy the serenity whilst practicing those mountain biking skills you’re so eager to try out, or hit the gas and fly along for an exhilarating rush. You should have the trail to yourself by now after the climb has spread everyone out so don’t worry about holding other riders up! 

Google video of what you can expect on the Red Carpet with Kate Maffett – CLICK HERE

Finish Red Carpet and you’ve got another short climb on a dirt road and then its downhill and into the Footy Ground at the 7km point where you can see your family and friends for some high-fives, refuel at the 32GI Fuel Station (or cafés and BBQ’s?!) before heading into the second leg of the ride in an area known as Yaugher Forest.

Once leaving the Footy Ground, its into the Yaugher Forest – an extensive network of MTB single track but your 30km route will be very clearly marked so you know where to go. Keep an eye out for signs that say “30km riders this way”. Your loop offers a mix of undulating trails, with the odd steeper section (yes, it’s ok to walk your bike) followed by some rewarding downhill sections through the bush. None of the trails are very technical with no large rocks to worry about and just a few log roll overs to test your skills with.

If you have ridden in Yaugher before then you may be familiar with the trails called ‘Super Loop’, ‘Foxtail’ and ‘Barre Warre’ which you will follow on race day. They are all graded either Green (easiest) or Blue (the easy end of medium) and with a bit of training beforehand, are fun for all riders. And in 2022 we haev REMOVED THE SANDY CLIMB!!! so you don’t have to fear that aweful hill anymore!

The main things to remember here are to RELAX and ENJOY the flow of trails and SMILE because you are doing it!

Once you leave the Yaugher Forest and cross over the sealed road, you’ll ride around the back of the car park before cruising down the finish chute having achieved your goal as an Odyssey Angel yourself! WELL DONE! 

COURSE MARKING

The course will be very clearly marked with:

  • Large GREEN arrows and smaller GREEN arrows. Arrows indicate the correct route.
  • BRIGHT GREEN plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate that you are on the correct route.
  • “30km riders this way” signs. Follow them!
  • Red and white barrier tape marking where NOT TO GO!

32GI Fuel Stations

  • 7km point in the Forrest Footy Ground feed zone. There will be taps located right next to the track with 32GI Electrolyte available from marshals if required, or you can also get some support from your family and supporters as well!.

COURSE STATS

Length: 30km 
Total elevation gain / loss: 472m ascending and 481m descending
Legs:

  • Michelin Leg 1 (Start – Kaanglang Rd – Red Carpet – Barwon Water tracks below dam wall – Footy Ground): 12.6km.
  • Super Loop – Leg 2 (Footy Ground – Yaugher – Footy Ground): 17.3km

“The Odyssey Angels helped me feel more confident about participating.” Suzanne, 2020 first-timer Angels participant.

COURSE VIDEOS AND INDEX MAP

The map below shows what section of the course the preview videos relate to.

Check out these 4 PREVIEW VIDEOS of the 30km course that show you what it looks like and to dispel any concerns about the course or the technicality of the terrain.

Video #1: The race venue and start at the Forrest Football Ground

Video #2: The first 5km of 30km (and 50km) course.

Video #3: The Red Carpet single track descent. (NOTE: in 2022 the 30km race only does the lower half of the Red Carpet Track). UPDATE: in 2021 the Red Carpet Tk was renovated – here is a video of the new track.

Video #4: The Yaugher single track.

50KM MTB COURSE DESCRIPTION

  • Saturday 22 February, 2025
  • Start/Finish Forrest Football Oval, Forrest Victoria
  • 8:00am START

COURSE MAP ON TRAIL FORKS- CLICK HERE >>

The 50km Shorty is the next level up from the 30km course and is designed to be enjoyable and achievable for riders who have a few more mountain bike KM’s and technical ability behind them. Its not super-hard but it is a bit tougher than the 30km and includes an incredible mix of single track, easy 4WD tracks,  bite sized hills and a superb race atmosphere that is encouraging of all riders.

Men and women will start together in a single mass start that has a great race day vibe atmosphere – just remember to position yourself in a spot that matches your ability – fast riders at the front!! Once under way you start with the same 2WD road climb the 30km riders did but 50km riders go further uphill, climbing for approximately 10km at an easy / medium grade that spreads the field and allows you to find a comfortable pace with riders of similar ability. The early section of the course leads you through some awe inspiring tall timber forest that is a joy to ride through.

At the 10km mark 50km riders set off down a fast, straight single track past an old quarry and then back down a section of road we just road up before turning right onto a super fun single track descent through huge fern trees down to the Lake Elizabeth car park. There is a tough little climb on a 2WD road out of here and then its onto the famous Red Carpet single track, one of the most popular sections of trails in Forrest.

The Red Carpet starts off with a short bit of uphill before tipping downhill, the first 500-700m are the most technical with some tighter corners and rough sections (no shame in walking those) and then gets a lot easier one you cross the road dirt road and becomes smoother and faster to ride.

Take your time and enjoy the serenity whilst practicing those mountain biking skills you’re so eager to try out, or hit the gas and fly along the flowing trail for an exhilarating rush, the last section of trail on the big smooth berms are super fun.

Google video of what you can expect on the Red Carpet – CLICK HERE

The course then heads over to the popular West Forrest trails where riders will enjoy trails 4, 5 and 6 including the popular ‘Follow the Dog’ berm run. This section has a mix of up and downhill, with some challenging little hills mixed in with some swooping descents, none of it being overly technical with a few logs to ride over and smooth rolling bumps (and jumps?) if you are going well.

Google video of what you can expect on the Follow the Dog berm run – CLICK HERE

Coming out of the West Forrest trails and back along Yaugher Road, riders reach the 33km point which will see you pass through the Forrest Football Ground where you can see your family and friends for some high-fives before heading into the second leg of the ride in an area known as Yaugher Forest.

Yaugher Forest is an extensive network of MTB single track but your 50km route will be very clearly marked so you know where to go. Your loop offers a mix of undulating trails, with the odd steeper section (yes, it’s ok to walk your bike) followed by some rewarding downhill sections through the bush. None of the trails are very technical with no rocks to worry about and just a few more log roll overs to test your skills.

The 50km course through Yaugher is the same as the 30km race and takes in the well ridden trails called ‘Super Loop’, ‘Foxtail’, ‘Vista’ (this one can be a bit sandy in parts) and ‘Barre Warre’. They are all graded either Green (easiest) or Blue (the easy end of medium) and with a bit of training beforehand are fun for all riders.

Once you leave the Yaugher Forest and cross over the sealed road you just need to ride around the back of the car park and then you’ll be cruising down the finish chute having achieved your goal as an Odyssey Angel yourself! WELL DONE!

COURSE MARKING

  • Large GREEN arrows and smaller GREEN arrows. Arrows indicate the correct route.
  • BRIGHT GREEN plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate that you are on the correct route.
  • “50km riders this way” signs. Follow them! These will be where the course splits from the 30km course
    • Red and white barrier tape marking where NOT TO GO!

32GI Fuel Stations

  • 21km point Hydration Station at turn-off to the West Barwon Dam picnic area
  • 33km point in the Forrest Footy Ground feed zone.  

COURSE STATS (approx.)

Length: 50km 
Total elevation gain / loss: 961m ascending and 970m descending
Legs:

  • Michelin Leg 1 (Start – Kents Rd – Thompsons Tk – Barwon River – Forrest Footy Ground): 8.4km.
  • Super Loop – Leg 2 (Footy Ground – Yaugher – Footy Ground): 22.2km (Cumulative Dist = 31km)
  • Kang Rd/Red Carpet Loop – Leg 3 (Footy Ground – Kang Rd – Lake Elizabeth – Red Carpet – West Barwon Dam wall – Footy Ground); 19.2km (Cumulative Dist = 50km)

PASSING ETIQUETTE

We know that being passed by a faster rider is often quite intimidating for slower riders as it can make you feel less skilled and sometimes a bit silly – UNTIL NOW!!

We have given all riders (fast and slower) strict instructions to be aware of each other on the trails and follow these instructions for happy passing:

  • Faster riders who catch someone else are asked to let you now they are there, saying something like, “Can I go past when there’s a chance…” or even “Track please”. They should then wait for a wider section of track – and not 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
  • And if you are going to pass another rider 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

The bottom line is that 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!