Otway Odyssey 2009

[Deanj]

Entries for the race opened last Monday if you've not heard and want to enter.

[Deanj]

Results

[leximack]

How did you go Dean?

[Deanj]

Ended up finishing 44th with a time of 5:39.



The profile of the course which the garmin had at 2838m of climbing. My plan for the race was to ride the first 40kms at a sensible pace, and once things started leveling out to take the race from there.

Got up the climbs feeling pretty good as I rode off HR and just ignored what everyone else was doing. The 1st climb was bitumen but the 2nd was off road, and I had to work my way through riders with people having to get off and push. Some of the climbs were bloody steep to be fair.

Got to the timed descent section which was also the sort of starting point for the funner single track sections. Was feeling good leg wise but there was a bit of traffic, not too many overtaking spots as there were groups of riders so I just sat in, enjoyed the trails and waited for chances. About 80-85kms I ended up on my own, was feeling tired but not trashed, however rather than race flat out to the finish I decided to ride in at a good but sensible pace. Couldn't really see any benefit in killing myself at that point of the race.

Found the course real good fun from start to finish, and with the pacing I didn't find myself suffering mentally. Also got my nutrition spot on which was good, didn't really feel like anything to eat or drink after but I did for recovery. Would definitely recommend it for next year!!

[leximack]

wow, those first 2 major climbs look huge. And thats alot of climbing all up, most of the NSW enduros have about 2300-2500m climbing.
Thats an excellent result as well. The OO is considered one of the harder enduros around, its one i want to do next year hopefully. My intestate adventure this year is for the BMC 100, then i have the dirtworks 100 a couple of weeks later. I will be happy to finish in the top half.

Don

[Deanj]

I'm also doing the BMC again this year, if I remember right that had 2000m. Most of it was towards the end of the course after the fun single track which you couldn't help but race through at full pace. By then, you were worn out and had to try and get up the hills Brutal!

[leximack]

i think the later parts from last yr may be at the begining this yr and vice versa.
I read this on another site
"I was speaking to Russ from the Wombat crew and he said this year the pine forest is up in the early part of the race with the later stages of the race being run on the Wombat track we know and love"

I would prefer to get the hills done in the first half and have fun on the 2nd half

Don

[bouncer1979]

Jesus. Being new to all this, I am guessing this is an example of XC styke of MTB?

[Deanj]

Yeah its basically a MTB XC mass start 100km "time trial" over different terrains and obstacles. Fastest one back wins.

Was looking at the gradient for the course the other day taken from my Garmin.