Great Otway Gravel Grind

GRAVEL EVENTS PROGRAM Sunday 24 February Forrest, VIC. 97km, 49km TheGOGG..com.au

WELCOME to the Great Otway Gravel Grind presented by Focus

held as part of the Otway Odyssey

This event is gaining recognition as one of Australia’s most iconic gravel events and is attracting more and more riders from around the country each year.

Why? Most of it comes down to the course‌ the A-grade riding on quality dirt roads is truly world class and takes all riders on a magical journey through the towering timber forests of the Otway Ranges. Throw in a couple of solid climbs and hair razing descents, a few time-out zone coffee stops, a social race vibe and you have the makings of a perfect day out on the bike.

As an entrant into the 2019 GOGG you have all this and more ahead of you, so thank you for joining us for the 3rd edition of this iconic event. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

The Rapid Ascent Team

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday 22nd February 4:00pm - 8:00pm COMPETITOR REGISTRATION for all races - Forrest Football Ground.

NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ATTEND REGISTRATION IF YOU RECEIVED YOUR NUMBER IN THE MAIL. 4:00pm - 8:00pm SPONSOR EXPO: food and bike servicing available - Forrest Football Ground.

6:00pm - 7:00pm Pre-race champagne and info session in the Ladies Lounge - women only

Saturday 23rd February 7:30am 100km MTB Odyssey race start 8:00am 50km MTB Odyssey race start 9:15am 30km MTB Odyssey race start - males only 9:35am 30km MTB Shorty race start - female only 1:30pm Grom MTB ride activities commence 2:00pm – 3:30pm COMPETITOR REGISTRATION for GOGG riders and 10km Otway Pioneer riders

Sunday 24th February 7:00am – 9:30am 8:00am 9:00am 9:45am 12:00pm 1:00pm 3:30pm

Competitor registration for all Sunday events - GOGG and 10km races RACE START: GOGG big-ring 97km - Yaugher Rd RACE START: GOGG small-ring 49km - Yaugher Rd RACE START: 10km Pioneer - Yaugher Rd 10km Pioneer presentations GOGG 97km and 50km race presentations Course closes

FORREST IS THE EVENT LOCATION The Forrest Football Ground is the event hub and is located on Yaugher Road, 1.5km north of the township of Forrest.

Forrest is located approximately 2hrs from Melbourne with the quickest route being via Geelong and Winchelsea.

Forrest is a 40minute drive from Apollo Bay and 25 minutes from Colac.

Car parking is available on The Forrest Horse Riding Club located right next to the Football Ground (western side).

VIP Parking: • Riders who paid for VIP Parking are eligible to park inside the Forrest Football Ground. We will e-mail a VIP parking pass to you - please ensure it is displayed on your dashboard when you arrive.

W E N R E U S Q N N I O A C OUNT M AGAIN P U AND DOWN

FOCUS JAM 2

#RIDEBEYOND

You take in the sweeping view before you. Endless trails, demanding ascents and unspoiled nature. Our JAM² helps you to the top, so that you‘re ready to go again. Downhill, that extra plus in performance will have you grinning from ear to ear. More mountains for you and your JAM².

Thanks to T.E.C with up to 756 Wh, you’ll always have as much energy as you need.

ENGINEERED IN GERMANY SINCE 1993

SMART PERFORMANCE BIKES

COMPETITOR REGISTRATION Competitor Registration • •

All riders for each of the events must COLLECT THEIR NUMBER PLATE before the start of your race (unless you paid for your number plate to be posted to you).

NOTE: you can arrange for a friend to collect your number plate for you.

All riders who haven’t received their race plate in the mail, MUST register and collect their number plate between the following times at the Forrest Football Ground: • All riders: Friday between 4:00pm and 8:00pm • GOGG 97km riders: Registration and entries on Saturday 2:00pm - 3:30pm and on Sunday 7:00am – 7:45am • GOGG 49km riders: Registration and entries on Saturday 2:00pm - 3:30pm and on Sunday 7:00am – 8:45am At registration you will be given: • Number plate - for GOGG riders: • Number plate is a seat post sticker and goes around your seat post with the number to the rear.

• It will have your unique timing chip stuck to the back of it (these chips are disposable – we don’t need them back after your ride).

• Red numbers - 97km Big Ring riders / Green numbers: 49km Small Ring riders

Competitor briefing •

GOGG 97km and 49km 50km: briefing will be held at the start line 10 minutes before the race.

Self seeding at the start

All race starts will be self seeding with riders encouraged to be sensible about where you place yourself in the start chute. These signs up to help you decide where to start:

• RACE WINNERS (extra fast) - for riders expecting to finish within the top 50.

• BIG RING RIDERS (fast) - for solid recreational riders who are fit and prepared for the event.

• MIDDLE RING RIDERS (moderate) - for more casual riders who are up for the challenge.

• GRANNY RING RIDERS (slow and steady) - for those who enjoy the scenery and generally take their time!

THE COURSES The GOGG course will be fully marked but riders must PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE ARROWS AND COURSE SIGNAGE to ensure you are on the correct course.

The 97km GOGG Big ring course

Refer to the 97km Course Map on adjoining pages (or check out the interactive maps and more detailed course descriptions on the event website here.

Length: 97km Total elevation gain / loss: 2,260m approx Legs: • Leg 1 (Start - Delaney Tk - Mt Sabine Rd - Hayden Tk - Thompsons Tk - Grey River Tk - Kennet River): 57km • Leg 2 (Kennett River - Great Ocean Road - Wye River): 9km (66km total) - UNTIMED section • Leg 3 (Wye River - Wye Rd - Mt Sabine Rd - Kaanglang Rd - Footy Ground): 31km (97km total).

Course marking • with red and/or orange arrows on a white background. Arrows indicate the correct route.

• with strips of fluoro pink plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate the correct route.

Water points - see more details below: • 33km point at Mt Sabine Rd / Kaangalang Rd junction. Water, 32gi and Coffee available in Time Out Zone.

• 57km point at the Kennet River shops in the Time Out Zone.

• 65km point at the Wye River shops in the Time Out Zone.

• 83km point at Mt Sabine Rd / Kaangalang Rd junction. Water, 32gi and Coffee available in Time Out Zone CUT OFFS: All 97km riders must have: • departed the first water point at the 33km pt by 11:00pm. If you miss this cut off you will be directed onto the 49km Small Ring course.

• restarted your ride after the Wye River / Kennet River time out zone by 12:30pm. This point is located soon as you turn off Great Ocean Road onto Wye River Rd at approx 64km point.

The 49km GOGG Small ring course

The 49km course is a shorter and easier gravel alternative that still delivers big time with scenery and wilderness riding on quality dirt roads.

Refer to the 49km Course Map on adjoining pages (or check out the interactive maps and more detailed course descriptions on the event website here).

Length: 49km Total elevation gain / loss: 1,030m approx Legs: • Leg 1 (Start - Delaney Tk - Mt Sabine Rd): 33km.

• Leg 2 (Footy Ground - Yaugher - Footy Ground): 16km.

Course marking • with red and/or orange arrows on a white background. Arrows indicate the correct route.

• with strips of fluoro pink plastic surveyors’ tape tied to trees. These indicate the correct route.

Water points: • 33km point at Mt Sabine Rd / Kaangalang Rd junction. Water, 32gi and Coffee available in Time Out Zone.

Water points and “time outs”.

Both GOGG races have some time-out section(s) on the course where your race time is no longer ticking over! These are included because it’s in the style of gravel grinding, allowing you to stop and have a drink – order a coffee, regroup with your friends perhaps, and then set off again.

“Time outs” will be recorded by the electronic timing hardware set up at these locations: • 33km point at Mt Sabine Rd / Kaangalang Rd junction. (97km and 49km riders) • Time stops ~50m before the junction / Time starts 50m after the junction. Water point and a coffee van will be at the junction in between.

• 57km point at the Grey River Rd / Great Ocean Road junction. (97km riders only) • Time stops on Grey River Rd ~400m before the junction.

NOTE: Riders continue along the Great Ocean Road between the 57km pt and 66km pt, passing through the townships of Kennet River and Wye River / Separation Creek where there are a couple of café’s, toilets, and even a beach you can swim at during your race without impacting your race time.

• 66km point at the Wye Rd / Great Ocean Road junction. (97km riders only) • Time starts on Wye Rd ~50m after the junction.

• 83km point at Mt Sabine Rd / Kaangalang Rd junction (same point as above - 97km riders only) • Time stops ~50m before the junction / Time starts 50m after the junction. Water point and a coffee van is at the junction in between.

Points to note: • Time Outs are limited to 1hr maximum. Riders stopping for longer than 1hr will be given a time penalty. Note, it is not compulsory to stop, just an option as it’s an ‘untimed’ section of the course.

• Riders crossing any time point with less than 1 second apart will be given the time of the first rider to cross the point (as per the Tour de France). This is to help ensure that riders know they are on the same race time if they entered / exited all timing points together.

• The water point at the junction of Mt Sabine Rd and Kaanglang Rd will have water, 32gi sports drink, bananas, lollies and a coffee cart selling barista made coffee, tea, milk shakes and San Pellegrino for you to stop and enjoy.

Coffee cart items are for sale so remember to take some money with you!

Course marking:

For all courses: • all intersections will be clearly marked with large red or orange arrows. There will not be a marshal at all junctions to direct you, so riders must keep an eye out for and follow the markings as you see them • the course will also be marked with pink surveyors tape tied to trees / branches intermittently along the route

FREE BEER AT THE FINISH!!

All riders will receive a ticket for a free Forrest Brewery beer when you finish your race!

Simply take your ticket to the Silver Bullet Bar on the footy ground to receive your pony sized beer and celebrate the end of a great ride. (Under age riders will receive a non-alcoholic drink) This generous offer is made possible thanks to our friends at Topbike Tours (Emma Colson and David Olle).

GOGG Big Ring 97km COURSE MAP

GOGG Big Ring 97km ELEVATION PROFILE

GOGG Small Ring 49km COURSE MAP

GOGG Small Ring 49km ELEVATION PROFILE

Up for anything.

Ready for everything.

Thule UpRide

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COMPETITOR SERVICES

The Otway Odyssey is far more than ‘just another bike race’ and includes the Event Expo set up over the weekend.

Sponsors Expo: Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday 9:00am - 3:00pm

All sponsors of the Otway Odyssey will have stands at the Forrest Football Ground including: • Focus Bikes Australia - will be set up with a selection of their bikes and the opportunity to have a chat about their incredible range of MTB, gravel/CX and road bikes and what sets them apart from other bikes on the market.

• Thule - will have a huge display of their bike carriers and accessories.

• Bikecorp with displays from Michelin Tyres, Bryton bike computers and Super-B tools and accessories.

• 32gi - will have a range of hydration and nutrition products to try and buy.

• Krush bike wash • No Limit Cycle Repairs (Griffyn Branagh) will be set up to provide any last minute bike mechanical work you need Additional services set up on the Forrest Football Ground include: • Forrest Brewery event bar - see below • Food stalls: 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and 8:00am - 1:00pm Sunday • Kids entertainment and jumping castle 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday and Sunday 8:00am - 12:00pm • First Aid point

Clothing valet

We will look after your clothing whilst you are out racing - just make sure it is in a sealed bag with your name on it then drop it off to the clothing marquee near registration.

Event bar thanks to the Forrest Brewery

The award winning local business - The Forrest Brewing Company - will be operating an event bar right next to the finish line and we encourage everyone to celebrate with one of their beers at the end of your ride.

IN FACT.... all riders will receive a ticket for a free Forrest Brewery beer when you finish your race! Simply take your ticket to the bar to receive your pony sized beer (thanks to our friends at Topbike Tours - Emma Colson and David Olle)

LIVE UPDATES AND RESULTS Live race splits for all riders

Live timing splits will be uploaded to the website during the event. You can also track the progress of other riders to see how you compare. The link will be posted on the event homepage.

Live event updates on Twitter and Instagram #otwayodyssey

We will be uploading live event updates, photos and other race snippets from the Otway Odyssey under the tag #otwayodyssey all day Saturday via Twitter and Instagram. Tell your friends at home to follow Rapid Ascent on these social media platforms and feel free to join the conversation by tagging #otwayodyssey and @rapidascent.

EVENT PHOTOS

Event photos via ‘Photos 4 Sale’

www.www.photos4sale.co.nz

Our new event photographer Allan Ure from Photos 4 Sale will have professional photographers at various locations around the course to take plenty of photos of you in action on the day. All photos will be individually catalogued and available to view / purchase from www.photos4sale.co.nz

Win a FOCUS MTB worth $7,000!

SIMPLY BY ENTERING THE OTWAY ODYSSEY YOU COULD WIN A NEW BIKE! We will do a prize draw at the presentations on Sunday afternoon and one lucky rider will win a brand new FOCUS O1E Factory valued at $7,000RRP. All you have to do is be an entrant into any of the Otway Odyssey events MTB, Gravel Grind or kids' events and you could roll away with any a brand new bike!

(You don't have to be at the presentations to win the bike).

Check out the full range of Focus bikes at:

www.focus-bikes.com

EVENT MERCHANDISE Pre-purchase merchandise should be collected from the merchandise marquee during the hours of registration.

The following items will be for sale during the event (limited sizes and quantities only).

Event Jersey $120 - GOGG specific • Asteria Italian Fabric seriously soft & form fitting with ease • Time Out Italian Fabric Eyelet Mesh as a contrast and further moisture transfer • Skin Gripper for anatomical comfort at the front waist and sleeve • Full Front Zip • 3 Back Pockets with centred rear zip pocket for valuables • Flatlock seams for next to skin comfort • Manufactured by Body Torque as their top of-the-line jersey Sizes: Mens: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL / Ladies: S, M, L, XL

Event T-shirt $25

- GOGG specific

• This is a slim-fit cotton shirt that is a great memento of your 2018 Otway Odyssey experience.

• Custom event print on front and back - Otway Odyssey and GOGG combined • Women’s sizes: XS - XXL • Men’s sizes: XS - XXL • Kid’s sizes: 6 - 16

Event Trucker cap $25 • One size fits all with adjustable back • Mesh back and printed logo on the front

- MTB Odyssey specific

RACE RULES AND CUT OFF TIMES The following race rules apply to all competitors in either the GOGG 97km and 49km races: • Competitors must start and finish the full course on a non-motorised bicycle (e-bikes accepted).

• Competitors must ride the complete course as marked and directed, passing through all checkpoints on your course. Taking shortcuts or using any unfair means of obtaining an advantage over other competitors will result in disqualification. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the correct course is followed.

• All competitors must wear a certified bike helmet at ALL times.

• MTB races only: Individual competitors must use only one bike frame for the entire ride, although wheel changes are permissible in the designated support area inside the Forrest Festival.

• GOGG races only: Individual competitors must use only one bike frame for the entire ride, although wheel changes are permissible in the designated time out zone.

• If female competitors in the 100km race wish to be eligible for cash prize money (including the Queen of the Mountain and Timed Descent) they MUST start in the elite womens’ field start at 7:00am. Competitors wishing to race in this category must notify Rapid Ascent at registration.

• In order to win either the King or Queen of the Mountain or Timed Descent, a rider must also complete the entire distance of the race entered.

• All competitors must carry the listed compulsory equipment for the entire race.

• Failure to carry the required First Aid Kit will result in a 20 minute time penalty.

• Riders who withdraw at any time after the start must advise a marshal of their withdrawal immediately.

• Race numbers must be displayed on the handlebars for mountain bike riders and seat posts for GOGG riders at all times and cannot be modified or cut down in size in any way.

• Riders may accept mechanical assistance on the course only by other registered racers, designated race officials and the specified race mechanic as long as it does not result in assisted forward progression. Outside assistance from anyone else may only be provided on the playing surface of the Forrest Football Ground.

• One competitor cannot provide assistance in forward progression (pushing / pulling / towing) or food or drinks to another competitor in another category except in emergency circumstances.

• For the 100km MTB race and GOGG 97km race, cut-off times at two key points will be strictly enforced as listed below.

• Australian Road Rules apply at all times on all roads, tracks and trails.

• Only registered riders, marshals or officials may ride on the course.

• Pedal assisted e-bikes may be used provided they do not have a power output greater than 250watts or a powered speed faster than 25km/hr. E-bikes will have their own category and will not be eligible for age group or overall prizes or prize money.

• Failure to abide by these rules may result in a time penalty or disqualification.

• Rapid Ascent has sole discretion to alter or amend the race format or the rules in order to increase the safety of participants or for any other reason deemed appropriate.

• All protests must be lodged with the Race Director within 15 minutes of the official results being posted. A judging panel of three Rapid Ascent staff (including the Race Director) will adjudicate on all protests and other contentious matters, and their decision will be final.

• If the race is cancelled or called off after it has started, it is each rider’s responsibility to get themselves back to either the Start or Finish areas as soon as you have been notified of the cancellation.

Cut Off Times: All 97km GOGG Big Ring riders must have: • •

departed the first water point at the 33km pt by 11:00pm. If you miss this cut off you will be directed onto the 49km Small Ring course. restarted your ride after the Wye River / Kennet River time out zone by 12:30pm. This point is located soon as you turn off Great Ocean Road onto Wye River Rd at approx 64km point.

PREVIOUS WINNERS 97km GOGG Big Ring 2017 males 1st 2nd 3rd

Tasman Nankervis Ryan Standish Russell Nankervis

2017 females 1st 2nd 3rd

Peta Mullens Helen Shelley Harriet Smith

2018 males 3:02.54 3:03.24 3:03.32

1st 2nd 3rd

Jay Vine Chris Jongewaard Ryan Standish

2018 females 3:22.47 3:53.43 3:56.48

1st 2nd 3rd

Peta Mullens Renata Bucher Helen Shelley

3:09.30 3:09.51 3:10.52

3:42.03 3:45.36 3:55.21

49km GOGG Small Ring 2017 males 1st 2nd 3rd

Jody Zerbst Nick Grosso Ryan Standish

2017 females 1st 2nd 3rd

Caitlin Wade Leonie Viterbo Belinda Hadden

2018 males 1:51.00 1:53.28 1:54.46

1st 2nd 3rd

Michael Howson Gwendal Grey Craig Jones

2018 females 2:05.23 2:07.19 2:14.22

1st 2nd 3rd

Sarah Bath Joanne Kemp Rebecca Herridge

1:45.13 1:50.24 1:54.28

2:24.35 2:25.29 2:32.47

“I’d heard so many great things about this race, and it surpassed all my expectations...”

Carmen (2018 rider)

4 DAYS | 6 STAGES ALICE SPRINGS, NT 22 - 25 AUGUST 2019

theredback.com.au

• Central start & finish lines • Endless KMs of single track • Friendly social atmosphere Lorem ipsum

WANT MORE ACTION? Then check out these other Rapid Ascent races taking place all around the country in 2019.

Shimano Bike Buller Festival

Mt Buller, Victoria, 9 - 11 March, 2019 www.ShimanoBikeBuller.com.au This exciting event brings all that’s great about mountain biking to the one spectacular location for a massive biking weekend. Including a range of gravity and cross country orientated events, a food, wine and music festival, kids race, bike expo and more and it’s no wonder this event is so popular.

X-Adventure Dunsborough

Dunsborough WA. 30-31 March, 2019. www.xadventure.com.au An off road triathlon event through the stunning scenery around Dunsborough in South West WA. With long course and short course options, duathlon, plus a kids triathlon, this is the biggest off-road triathlon in Australia held in adventure paradise.

Margaret River Ultra Marathon

Margaret River WA. 4 May, 2019. www.MRultramarathon.com.au Providing a spectacular 80km journey for solo runners and relay teams (with up to 5 runners), the Margaret River Ultra Marathon provides runners with an incredible race in Western Australia’s Cape to Cape coastline. The inaugural event in 2018 was huge and 2019 will be even bigger.

The Trail Running Series

Five wilderness locations within 1 hour’s drive of Melbourne, Jun - Sept. www.TrailRunningSeries.com.au Trail running races for everyone... The Trail Running Series includes 5 different race venues all within one hour’s drive of Melbourne with short (~6km) / medium (~12km) / and long (~17km) course runs through spectacular wilderness. Make sure you are part of this revolutionary series in 2018.

The Redback

Alice Springs, NT. 22 - 25 August, 20189 www.TheRedback.com.au An awe inspiring mountain bike stage race in the majestic MacDonnell Ranges of Alice Springs.

With 6 racing stages over 4 days varying from a 45 second hill sprint to a 45km epic, this is MTB nirvana with plenty of flowing single track, incredible scenery and friendly camaraderie.

Run Larapinta

Alice Springs, NT. 16 - 19 August, 2019 www.RunLarapinta.com.au A four day, four stage trail running race along the most spectacular sections of the iconic Larapinta Trail in Central Australia. Race either the Malbunka with 20km - 45km stages or the Namatjira with 10km - 30km stages for an incredible event experience.

Surf Coast Century

Anglesea, VIC. 21 September, 2019. www.SurfcoastCentury.com.au A spectacular 100km trail run along Victoria’s surf coast and wildflower hinterland with the promise that no two steps will be the same. Do it either as an individual and click over the whole 100km solo or join up with some friends in a relay team of up to 4 and run 25km each.

Augusta Adventure Fest

Augusta, WA, 2 - 3 November, 2019. www.AugustaAdventureFest.com.au The biggest adventure race in the world is back again with 3 adventure events to challenge all comers – Long Course, Mini Adventure Race and Junior Survivor for kids. Each race includes its own spectacular course through the wild landscapes around Augusta in the South West of WA. Good luck on race day and we hope to see you at another Rapid Ascent event soon.

www.RapidAscent.com.au