Reunion of pain and suffering
(photos already here @ Cycling news...and more here at the Rapid Ascent site Ash, Jason and Jack and finally check out the aerial shots that look awesome here)
The Otways Oddessy has been run and won in 2007, and what an epic race it was!! Like many, I was pretty happy to see the end of the 100km, the organizers had made sure there was plenty of climbing involved, and it was bloody steep, just quietly!
Good to see this weekend were former Felt Racing riders Matt Hoffmann and Nick Lewis, having a crack at the 'ton' and enjoying the day to get out there amongst 700 of their closest friends and suffer as hard as they could for the day! And congratulations must go to the class winners, as it was a tough day for everyone racing, no matter of what position you finished! But back to the racing!
Felt Racing scored a house for the weekend, and we all managed to arrive before the race briefing, only to be told that due to a landowner getting 'cold feet', the race was to be extended by 5 or so km. Splendid, but unavoidable. The rest of the briefing, held on the foreshore of Apollo bay was uneventful but for the gentleman in stubbies who politely informed the gathered 500+ riders that unless they were of Aboriginal descent, they shouldn't enter the Otways forest. The same gentleman was also seen hoping in the Queens Taxi, and spending a night on the taxpayer at an establishment with locks on the outside, somewhat damaging his credibility...
With the usual preparation that goes on pre race, we got sorted, GVRaceTech slaved tirelessly to turn out bikes out spotlessly, and also lent his hand to numerous blow in's who had problems, all of whom offer their thanks!! With an early morning due, we fed on the most glamorous food until we could eat no more (thanks Tessa!!!) and then fell into a slightly nervous sleep.
5.30am dawned quickly (more quickly for some that had babies to tend to all night) and we ate more again, before gearing up and rolling down to the coolest sight- 700 mountain bikers ruling a main road! Nervous people roamed about, before the road was shut and we lined up. Without too much fanfare at all, we were away and off on our 100km race of truth. 700 bikes rolling down the great ocean road was pretty cool, and I can't wait to see the photos, as there as also heli shots as well.
All was going nicely until we turned left away from the ocean, and started to climb up the 20% grade climb of tiger lane. And there the race began! Within a few dozen meters, most of the field had resorted to the granny ring, and amidst the chaos of people slipping and losing traction, a lead bunch of 15 or so riders slipped up the road. The mad scramble that ensued had everyone on the limit, Jason's heart race jumped from 135 to 195 in 45sec and stayed that way for quite some time! Watching the lead bunch go up the road was frustrating, being on the red line the whole time compounded the problem and it was a case of 'be patient'.
(more aerial shots in the link at the top of this post)
The climbs were tough for the first 50km, and with the lead bunch up the road, we were all trying desperately to get across. I managed to get on to the lead bunch after about an hour of chasing with Ben Mather (Orbea) and John Claxton (Giant) and another few riders I don't know, so we were pretty happy to get back with the leader. In typical fashion, the pace was lifted savagely by a particular rider as Sid took a bathroom break, but he worked back on quickly so no harm done. The lead bunch hit the paved section on the trail and had plenty of excitement bouncing witches hats down through the bunch.
As the race hit the first section of single track, the pace hotted up, and the bull$hit stopped! Charging through the trails on the way to Forrest and the first transition, we scared plenty of support people who were plainly not expecting this sort of speed, and arrived at Forrest for the first transition. Stocked up with all our goodies again, we barreled out in the 'Superloop', a single track infested loop where you thought that too much single track was possibly simply too much! Craziness, and there was a 4x course in there as well!! Regardless, we all got through as best we could, concentrating on keeping up the tempo, and reducing the onset of cramps (mine started at about 45km and continued to the finish, as did Jack and Jason).
Back into transition for some cold sponges, food and drink, and we were back at it for the final loop containing the timed climbs... Ouch, those things went on and on, granny gear and grunting for 5 separate climbs on the timed climb (s) before the final climb (walk?) of the day aptly called Sledgehammer and rolling back down the fire road to the Forrest Festival for a very happy moment called in the industry 'finishing'!
(Jason doing the 'thousand yard stare' - smashed, your Honour...)
In all, the event was very well run for a first attempt. A few people got misplaced which was unfortunate, but organisers made it very clear at the start that riders had to be aware the whole day, placing the onus back on the riders. It worked well for the most part. The course was pretty tough, I wasn't keen to head out for another lap or loop straight away, and it gets better with time. The more time I have away from it, the more I like it... Still, the amount of rubbish I saw hurled in the air from the main bunch is inexcusable; if you bring it in, put in away and take it home...!
And on to the Felt Bikes of course....!!! We all cannot say how perfectly these Virtue 1's were suited to this course and style of racing. With the adjustable travel forks from 100mm to 140mm, climbing and descending (one descent was called the devils slide for good reason) was a breeze. Full travel was used at both ends on particularly ugly drops and logs, yet was awesome to climb, keeping pace with many excellent riders all whilst on a 5" travel bike! The rear end was amazing, in Pro Pedal mode there was imperceptible feedback in granny ring, and fully open the thing HAMMERED the downhills, eating up bumps roots rocks and jumps like they weren't there! The Hutchinson Pirahnas tyres ruled as well, the side knobs providing all the bite needed on the fast off camber rider roads and roots, and the centre tread pattern was as fast as any other tyre in the bunch that would make the distance. From a course that broke 1 riders chain 5 times, poor Rohin Adams broke his chain, and I saw a few flat tyres also, its a great credit to Felt for the bike they have produced, and to GV RaceTech for his fastidious race prep on our bikes.
So after the race, we had a bit of a BBQ back at the ranch to celebrate, and enjoyed the evening hanging out and lying to one another how little it really hurt! Thanks for reading, and I'll get some photos up asap, and you can check the results precisely here
Rohin, the man behind the next rendition of pain - The Big Hill Events Felt Bicycles 90km marathon at Wondong on the 25th of March, digs deep into his memory banks and tries to remember how much fun he just had! Em watches on carefully, and Jack just thinks he is nuts...
BBQ celebrations make the day worth while for riders and partners, and look to become a tradition wherever possible! Thanks again to everyone who helps us out and makes us laugh, including Rich, Gerald, Em, Tessa, Kirstie, and everyone on the scene!
The Otways Oddessy has been run and won in 2007, and what an epic race it was!! Like many, I was pretty happy to see the end of the 100km, the organizers had made sure there was plenty of climbing involved, and it was bloody steep, just quietly!
Good to see this weekend were former Felt Racing riders Matt Hoffmann and Nick Lewis, having a crack at the 'ton' and enjoying the day to get out there amongst 700 of their closest friends and suffer as hard as they could for the day! And congratulations must go to the class winners, as it was a tough day for everyone racing, no matter of what position you finished! But back to the racing!
Felt Racing scored a house for the weekend, and we all managed to arrive before the race briefing, only to be told that due to a landowner getting 'cold feet', the race was to be extended by 5 or so km. Splendid, but unavoidable. The rest of the briefing, held on the foreshore of Apollo bay was uneventful but for the gentleman in stubbies who politely informed the gathered 500+ riders that unless they were of Aboriginal descent, they shouldn't enter the Otways forest. The same gentleman was also seen hoping in the Queens Taxi, and spending a night on the taxpayer at an establishment with locks on the outside, somewhat damaging his credibility...
With the usual preparation that goes on pre race, we got sorted, GVRaceTech slaved tirelessly to turn out bikes out spotlessly, and also lent his hand to numerous blow in's who had problems, all of whom offer their thanks!! With an early morning due, we fed on the most glamorous food until we could eat no more (thanks Tessa!!!) and then fell into a slightly nervous sleep.
5.30am dawned quickly (more quickly for some that had babies to tend to all night) and we ate more again, before gearing up and rolling down to the coolest sight- 700 mountain bikers ruling a main road! Nervous people roamed about, before the road was shut and we lined up. Without too much fanfare at all, we were away and off on our 100km race of truth. 700 bikes rolling down the great ocean road was pretty cool, and I can't wait to see the photos, as there as also heli shots as well.
All was going nicely until we turned left away from the ocean, and started to climb up the 20% grade climb of tiger lane. And there the race began! Within a few dozen meters, most of the field had resorted to the granny ring, and amidst the chaos of people slipping and losing traction, a lead bunch of 15 or so riders slipped up the road. The mad scramble that ensued had everyone on the limit, Jason's heart race jumped from 135 to 195 in 45sec and stayed that way for quite some time! Watching the lead bunch go up the road was frustrating, being on the red line the whole time compounded the problem and it was a case of 'be patient'.
(more aerial shots in the link at the top of this post)The climbs were tough for the first 50km, and with the lead bunch up the road, we were all trying desperately to get across. I managed to get on to the lead bunch after about an hour of chasing with Ben Mather (Orbea) and John Claxton (Giant) and another few riders I don't know, so we were pretty happy to get back with the leader. In typical fashion, the pace was lifted savagely by a particular rider as Sid took a bathroom break, but he worked back on quickly so no harm done. The lead bunch hit the paved section on the trail and had plenty of excitement bouncing witches hats down through the bunch.
As the race hit the first section of single track, the pace hotted up, and the bull$hit stopped! Charging through the trails on the way to Forrest and the first transition, we scared plenty of support people who were plainly not expecting this sort of speed, and arrived at Forrest for the first transition. Stocked up with all our goodies again, we barreled out in the 'Superloop', a single track infested loop where you thought that too much single track was possibly simply too much! Craziness, and there was a 4x course in there as well!! Regardless, we all got through as best we could, concentrating on keeping up the tempo, and reducing the onset of cramps (mine started at about 45km and continued to the finish, as did Jack and Jason).
Back into transition for some cold sponges, food and drink, and we were back at it for the final loop containing the timed climbs... Ouch, those things went on and on, granny gear and grunting for 5 separate climbs on the timed climb (s) before the final climb (walk?) of the day aptly called Sledgehammer and rolling back down the fire road to the Forrest Festival for a very happy moment called in the industry 'finishing'!
(Jason doing the 'thousand yard stare' - smashed, your Honour...)In all, the event was very well run for a first attempt. A few people got misplaced which was unfortunate, but organisers made it very clear at the start that riders had to be aware the whole day, placing the onus back on the riders. It worked well for the most part. The course was pretty tough, I wasn't keen to head out for another lap or loop straight away, and it gets better with time. The more time I have away from it, the more I like it... Still, the amount of rubbish I saw hurled in the air from the main bunch is inexcusable; if you bring it in, put in away and take it home...!
And on to the Felt Bikes of course....!!! We all cannot say how perfectly these Virtue 1's were suited to this course and style of racing. With the adjustable travel forks from 100mm to 140mm, climbing and descending (one descent was called the devils slide for good reason) was a breeze. Full travel was used at both ends on particularly ugly drops and logs, yet was awesome to climb, keeping pace with many excellent riders all whilst on a 5" travel bike! The rear end was amazing, in Pro Pedal mode there was imperceptible feedback in granny ring, and fully open the thing HAMMERED the downhills, eating up bumps roots rocks and jumps like they weren't there! The Hutchinson Pirahnas tyres ruled as well, the side knobs providing all the bite needed on the fast off camber rider roads and roots, and the centre tread pattern was as fast as any other tyre in the bunch that would make the distance. From a course that broke 1 riders chain 5 times, poor Rohin Adams broke his chain, and I saw a few flat tyres also, its a great credit to Felt for the bike they have produced, and to GV RaceTech for his fastidious race prep on our bikes.
So after the race, we had a bit of a BBQ back at the ranch to celebrate, and enjoyed the evening hanging out and lying to one another how little it really hurt! Thanks for reading, and I'll get some photos up asap, and you can check the results precisely here
Rohin, the man behind the next rendition of pain - The Big Hill Events Felt Bicycles 90km marathon at Wondong on the 25th of March, digs deep into his memory banks and tries to remember how much fun he just had! Em watches on carefully, and Jack just thinks he is nuts...
BBQ celebrations make the day worth while for riders and partners, and look to become a tradition wherever possible! Thanks again to everyone who helps us out and makes us laugh, including Rich, Gerald, Em, Tessa, Kirstie, and everyone on the scene! 
posted by Ash Thomas at 7:01 pm
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