Otway Odyssey and Great Otway Gravel Grind return for 2024

Two of Australia's finest off-road endurance events return to Forrest, Victoria across February 24-25 2024. Next year the Otway Odyssey will celebrate its 18th iteration as one of the most demanding and rewarding marathon mountain bike events in the Oceania region. Since 2017 the Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) has offered two gravel events for riders to take on, making for a fantastic weekend off-road in Victoria's Otway Ranges.

While the Otway Odyssey has been around for nearly two decades, that's not to say things haven't changed! Year in, year out the event pulls a top crop of Australian mountain bikers to the 100km elite event.

Event organisers Rapid Ascent have created lots of other events over the years, with 50km and 30km events, a 10km kids' race and even a tiny course at Forrest Football ground for those on balance bikes! In addition to all that, The Odyssey Angels event is a women's only 30km event on the Sunday, taking out the potentially intimidating nature of a mass start.

With many of the trails in and around Forrest having received a huge rebuild and facelift, you may sign up for a classic mountain bike event, but you'll get to ride some of the newest trails in Victoria. And with so many distances on offer just about any mountain biker will find a suitable challenge in the Otway Ranges.

And if one day isn't enough, or your gravel-curious, then sign up for the Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG). With 49km and 97km options, you really can approach this unique event as you choose. Whether you're racing for an overall title for the weekend as King or Queen of the Otways, or stopping to enjoy a coffee and chat and the time out zones or a selfie on the gravel roads – that is up to you. Entries are open now and more details are on the Rapid Ascent website.