Tour of The Otways by OPGC 2022

Tour of The Otways, the best non-event you’ll never do

On an unfathomably cold winters morning, fifty or so unquestionably insane gravel cyclists verged upon an unremarkable grassy patch across the road from the humble Deans Marsh General Store, impossible to miss by the words boldly and rather unimaginatively written on the roof of the building, reading “The Store”.

But why? Why was I here and what was with this assortment of other cyclists slipping into lycra, pumping tyres, preparing bikes for battle? What the hell was going on?
I checked the conditions.
The weather? Rather inclement. The forecast? Windy and mostly shit.

All I knew for certain at this point was that the local Surf Coast / Colac Otway gravel community otherwise known as “The Otway Panther Gravel Collective” hadn’t rallied locals and gravel fans alike for a leisurely 120km (or 80km option) roll through the Great Otway National Park and surrounding areas for something that was absolutely and definitely not an event.

I’ve done a few events this year and I was very much looking forward to not doing this one. There were no course markings, no aid stations, no rules – just a collection of avid gravel cyclists with the understanding that a ride with two possible routes had been posted online and it was their choice to follow it.

Coincidently, my friend Wayne also seemed to have spawned out of the abyss in the parking spot next to me for no given reason. A quick briefing from no one and a starting bell that wasn’t rung later, we rode off into the mist.
The gravel was fast and before long, I found myself gliding along with a make-shift peloton up until the 4km mark where I was smacked in the face by a 10km climb that got a little pinchy.
I was to struggle for the next 116km, relying on the wheel of Wayne and a new friend whom I met out on course and subsequently realised that we were Instagram pals, Richard.

Despite my gasping and spluttering, the course was fantastic. There’s something magical about The Otways, weaving in and out of hinterland forest onto quiet country roads and sprawling farmlands. The gravel (around 70% of the long course) was smooth, fast and in great condition. Traffic was lacking and the route even took in Turtons Track, arguably one of the most beautiful tarmac roads in Victoria.
At around 80km, the course stopped in the scenic town of Forrest where we huddled out of the cold for a coffee and donut or two before tackling the last 40km on tired legs and rolling back into Deans Marsh.

Run every year on different courses, The Tour of The Otways is a fantastic opportunity to sample what this amazing region has to offer in terms of environment and smooth cut gravel roads, not to mention the odd masochistic climb. (I’m still having nightmares about the 75km mark not to mention the descent prior.)
 
The fact that you have such a passionate group of individuals willing to put in the hours to scout and design an absolute gem of a course (or two) purely for the reward of others without anything in return is something special.
What a great day out in The Otways.

You can follow The Otway Panther Gravel Collective on Instagram at @otwaypanthergravelcollective and check out their monthly grinduro segments.
Furthermore, you can find them online at https://www.opgc.club/ and check out a collection of their events and non-events.