The second annual Forrest six hour mountain bike race has proven the popularity of the local event once again the event was sold out in record time and on Sunday the parking area was a sea of vehicles, the transition zone was a sea of people and bikes.

All the solo riders were fortunate enough to start on their bikes, whilst in an effort to cut down on congestion leading into the single track trails the teams riders had to sprint 200 metres up a hill to the start line find their bike in a sea of others and then they could start, which proved to be quite entertaining in itself

Whilst predicted there were only a few showers of rain during the day, racing on the trails was both exciting and in some places testing due to the mud.

The men’s Solo event was a hard fought race, Phil Orr winning with an amazing thirteen laps in a time of 6:14:33, second and third both on twelve laps were Nicholas Morgan, and Brad Davies, two of the local stand out riders who showed great determination finishing in fifth Stewie McKenzie and 17 year old Tom Power who was hot on his tail finishing seventh, Andrew Yarde tenth, and Ben Culton fifteenth.

Stewie McKenzie said it was a better than expected finish for him, as he had set his aim as maybe getting inside the top ten.

In the women’s solo race on twelve laps in a time of 6:00:29 the winner was Katherine O’Shea, local starlet Jess Douglas came in second and third was Peta Mullens both on eleven laps.

Katherine O’Shea commented on the course being so enjoyable to ride, it spurred her on to keep riding at a stage were she may have faltered in her bid for victory.

The overall vibe of the day and the race has cemented a place on riders calendars for next year, which will be on again at the same time in June.

Category Results

Lap Splits

Race has been run and won - again!

Phil Orr and Katherine O'Shea have taken out the wins in the solos.  More details to follow of the coming days.

Full results can be found on Rotoburn here

Please note that we are not accepting any more entries at all.  I don't care if your name is Cadel Evans, please don't ask for an entry, as refusal WILL offend.  Please sign up to our newsletter at www.rideforrest.com.au and we will inform you of when entries open for 2011.

Cheers

_{Cadel if you read this, I'm just kidding. Call me and I'll get you an entry ;)}

All entries should have by now received their information.  Please find a link below to the full details.

In summary here are a few major points:

• Arrive early and get to park closer.
• Be prepared for a little walk to the event centre.
• Be prepared for rain (it's the Otways)
• No on the day entries
• Take your rubbish with you when you leave.

Rider Info Pack

Local Otway Downhill riders Aiden Wyber and Ryan Da La Rue, have entered our little race.  Both these guys are serious up and coming riders on the national DH scene, with Aiden gaining a podium finish at this years National championships.

These guys are out to show that DH'ers can ride too, and we will all be waiting to see what bikes they turn up on.

Both riders are sponsored by Tekin suspension who is a sponsor of the event.