Starting on the Great Ocean Road in the picturesque town of Apollo Bay and finishing in the iconic MTB township of Forrest, the Kona Odyssey takes riders on an heroic 100km mountain bike journey through a range of wild landscapes in an Odyssey sent from the gods.

This is a race along roller coaster single track so much fun you’ll have a grin from ear to ear; it’s a race up hills so steep you’ll think your heart is going to leap from your chest; it’s a race down flowing fire roads and white knuckle double track that will put tears in your eyes and memories in your mind… and all this is amidst some of the most spectacular countryside you’ll ever see.

There are three course options ready to challenge any level of rider:

• The full 100km Kona Odyssey – starts at Apollo Bay and finishes at Forrest … providing ultimate bragging rights for all finishers!
• The 50km Kona Shorty –  starts/finishes in Forrest that includes plenty of sweet single track.    
• The 15km Kona Pioneer – a fun event designed to give kids and beginners to the sport a taste of the action.

The 100km Kona Odyssey is undoubtedly one of Australia’s pinnacle MTB events providing riders with a supreme challenge, enjoyment and reward along some of the best trails in the land. Set yourself the benchmark and join us for a journey you will never forget.

Add to this a massive festival with plenty of food, entertainment, bike stands and other activities at the finish line and this is the Ultimate MTB Marathon.

Course Description

100km Kona Odyssey Course Description:

Starting on the Great Ocean Road in the picturesque town of Apollo Bay and finishing in the iconic MTB township of Forrest, the principle Kona Odyssey 100km race takes riders on a heroic mountain bike journey through a range of wild landscapes in an Odyssey sent from the gods.

Riders will first climb the cleared hills surrounding Apollo Bay to take in the million dollar coastal views before diving into the succulent Kona rainforest on your way through to Forrest and the 67 km point. This first leg takes you on an exciting journey through a mix of trails and terrain; from double tracks that climb and descend like a roller coaster to heaven and hell to cranking single tracks through luscious tree ferns.

These flowing trails spit you out at the Forrest footy ground for the 67km point where you will have the chance to refuel from the variety of food stands and before heading back to business.

Now you’ll head into the world renowned Yaugher single track wonderland for a 20km blast around the trails. The 2011 course will use a range of super fun trails from the smorgasbord on offer including the Shotz Super Loop, Mariners Run, J2 and car wash  before retuning you to the Forrest footy ground at the 87km point for a final top up before the final fling.

The Ay Up loop takes in a steady 4WD track climb before leading you down possibly the best track on the course and the a moto-giant-slalom to through the trees to the base of the Sledgehammer… ah, the Sledgehammer… the sting in the tail that brings grown men to their knees! Conquer this and you will soon be cracking a cold one at the event bar in celebration of a mighty conquest.

Complete the 100km Kona Odyssey and you have entered the limited domain of man/woman + machine who has triumphed over some of the most spectacular trails and terrain Australia has to offer and have earnt yourself the right to wear an ‘I’m an MTB Hero’ badge for a at least a couple of months!
 

50km Kona Shorty NEW Course Description:

The 50km Kona Shorty is designed for intermediate riders who are not up to the principle 100km event and 2011 comes with more single track, more of the fun stuff and less monster hills. And in comparison to the 2010 50km Shorty, the 2011 course has removed a few of the hills and also the painfully twisty Casper Black that ruined so many last year.

So in 2010 you’ll start on the Yaugher road and climb steadily up Kaangalang Rd to the junction with Noonday Tk where you will turn left and follow the 100km course down the quarry tk and then onto the  famous Red Carpet Tk. You will then ride over the West Barwon Dam Wall  and tackle some of the easier Forrest trails around the dam area before heading back to the Forrest footy ground at the 25km point for a top up at the food stalls before hitting the trails again.

From here you’ll head into the single track wonderland of Yaugher for a blast around the famous trails of the Shotz Superloop, Foxtail, Yo-Yo, Vista and Barre Warre. You’ll be swooping for joy and smiling with glee as you crank along these flowing trails all the way to the finish at the Forrest footy ground and the festivities of one of the countries biggest bike races. Job well done.

Note – the 100km and 50km courses have been designed to be quite separate so that faster 100km riders are not held up by slower 50km riders and visa versa. The two courses will share very little over lapping trails and should allow both riders to have their own space on the trails so neither need worry about hold ups.

15km Kona Pioneer Course Description.

The 15km Kona Pioneer is designed for kids and new comers to the sport of mountain biking and will provide you with a taste of the thrills and spills of this fantastic sport.

The course takes a single loop starting and finishing from the Forrest footy ground and includes a mix of 4WD tracks, swooping single track, rainforest, roads and country scenery. It’s a loop that gives kids the chance to develop their riding skills and non riders the chance to have a bit of fun. You’ve got to be in it to win it.
 

Track Composition for 100k Kona Odyssey (approximate)

• 15%  Bitumen
• 14%  Unsealed road 
• 36%  Fire road & double trac
• 35%  Single track

Track Composition for 50k Kona Shorty (approximate)

• 2%  Bitumen
• 15%    Unsealed Road
• 29%  Fire road & double track
• 54%  Single track