The Rainforest Ride is a mass participation road cycling event with four different rides to suit all types of cyclists, from a challenging 140km circuit to a tranquil 23km journey, all amidst the magnificent Otway Rainforest in and around Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.

The Rainforest Ride is designed to provide something for all levels of rider, from your ‘Beach Road speedsters’ who can tackle the challenging 140km Rainforest Circuit, to kids and their parents who can share a ride and walk in the rainforest with the 23km Waterfall Explorer. All rides are set amidst some of the most spectacular scenery around and take place along quiet sealed roads in the countryside.

Each ride will include a number of optional stop off points and tourist attractions riders can include to break up the ride:

• Free entry to the world renowned Otway Fly tree top walk – bike security provided whilst riders visit (140km Rainforest Circuit)
• Free entry to the Cape Otway Lighthouse with its amazing cliff top views and historic surrounds (140km Rainforest Circuit and 70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride)
• Drink stations at scenic points, such as at the coastal lookout at Castle Cove
• Self guided walking tour along the short rainforest track at Maits Rest (23km Watefall Explorer and 23km Glow Worm Twilight Ride)
• Buy a coffee at any of the cafés along the way

So what sets the Rainforest Ride apart from other participation road rides?

• The premier course is around a new circuit that the vast majority of riders would not have ridden before
• All rides include stunning scenery along their entire length – no boring bits!
• There’s a great range of optional activities and side trips available to break up your ride
• The roads are very quiet with little traffic, few trucks or other road users
• The location at Apollo Bay provides an ideal weekend away whilst still being a day trip from Melbourne if required

All rides will be conducted in a supervised event environment:

• Police and traffic management
• Well signposted and marshalled course 
• Mobile medical support including paramedics, sports trainers and other medical professionals
• On course mechanical support
• Frequent refreshment stops providing water and sports drinks free of charge
• On course photography and entertainment

The Courses

The Rainforest Ride consists of four different rides as follows:

140km Raceworx Rainforest Circuit

(including optional 35km Cape Otway and Otway Fly side trips).

The premier loop is both scenic and challenging and takes riders on a picturesque loop through some of Australia’s most beautiful forest and coastal environments and has already been described as ‘The most spectacular road riding loop in the country’.

The ride consists of a 105km loop plus an optional 7km out-and-back to the Otway Fly Treetop Walk (with free entry) and 28km out-and-back to the Cape Otway Lighthouse (with free entry).

Click here to go to an interactive map and elevation profile of the 140km Raceworx Rainforest Circuit on www.mapmyride.com

70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride

This intermediate level ride takes participants along the Great Ocean Road and Cape Otway Road that both pass through stunning rainforest, country fields and magnificent coastal scenery to the majestic Cape Otway Lighthouse where you can be wowed by the incredible cliff top views.

The course is an out-and-back ride: 35km each way from the start at Apollo Bay to the Cape Otway Lighthouse and back. The entry fee includes free entry to the lightouses lovely grassy grounds and historic building precinct that provide endless views along the coast and towards Tasmania. There will also be a range of food, drinks and information here for you to fill up on.

Click here to go to an interactive map and elevation profile of the 70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride on www.mapmyride.com

23km Waterfall Explorer

This ride is designed especially for families and newcomers to cycling and takes participants along the flat Paradise Valley to a spectacular waterfall deep in the rainforest. The course passes through some picturesque farming land before weaving through the rainforest to its turnaround point in the wilderness.

The course is an out-and-back ride: 11.5km each way from the start at Apollo Bay to the turnaround location and back. From the turnaround it’s a short, self guided walk to the waterfall (3km return) to experience the supreme tranquility of the rainforest while we provide security for your bikes.  Note, the final 3km section of road to the top of the valley is on a good quality hard packed smooth dirt surface.

Click here to go to an interactive map and elevation profile of the 23km Waterfall Explorer on www.mapmyride.com

23km Glow Worm Twilight Ride

Suitable for families and kids but open to everyone, the Glow Worm Twilight Ride will be an incredible sensorial experience where participants will ride up the Paradise Valley at dusk to then leave their bikes for an extraordinary evening walk into the rainforest to see the glow worms and enjoy some coffee, chocolate and the wonders of the rainforest and waterfalls in the dark.

The course is an out-and-back ride: 11.5km each way from the start at Apollo Bay to the turnaround location where the walk (3km return to the falls)will commence. After the walk and coffee, all participants will ride back to Apollo Bay in the dark (all riders must carry lights) having shared something very special. Note, the final 3km section of road to the top of the valley is on good quality hard packed smooth dirt surface.

Click here to go to an interactive map and elevation profile of the 23km Waterfall Explorer on www.mapmyride.com

 

What you get for you entry fee:

• Entry to an incredible riding experience in a magnificent landscape
• Event T-shirt – a custom printed t-shirt in your size (TBC)
• Event show bag of sponsors information and giveaways
• Medical and mechanical support around the course
• Access to hydration / nutrition points around each course
• Free entertainment around the course and at the finish line
• Event photographers will take photo of you around the course, that will be catalogued and available to purchase from the event website

• for entrants to the 140km Rainforest Circuit: Free entry to the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, free entry to the Cape Otway Lighthouse
• for entrants to the 70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride: Free entry to the Cape Otway Lighthouse
• for entrants to the 23km Waterfall Explorer: national parks information about the walk into Mariners Falls
• for entrants to the 23km Glow Worm Twilight Ride: rainforest and self guided walk into Mariners Falls and the Glow Worms in the darkness

Click here to download the official event program with all logistical details involved with the 2009 event.