Hot weather, mountain bike races, live bands, barbecues and a bike obstacle builders battle - all that and more is in store for participants and spectators checking out the activities today and Sunday at the Hot Day at Otway festival.
Hosted by the Throwdown Adventure Festival group, the second annual event at Otway Nordic Centre is geared to novice/recreational riders as well as competitive racers and the whole idea is to build a mountain bike event that will be a popular weekend destination for locals and out-of-town visitors.
Today's race schedule includes an advanced women's cross-country starting at 8 a.m., an advanced men's cross-country race at 10 a.m., followed by the start of the men's and women's expert cross-country race at 1 p.m.
On Sunday, a novice women's cross-country race is scheduled for 8 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by the novice men's race. The enduro, a race in which riders try to complete as many laps of the course as they can within a set time limit, starts at 1 p.m.
Coaches from the Sprockids learn to ride program will be on hand this weekend to teach riding skills using portable obstacles in the Otway stadium area in front of Rotary Lodge. and a kids clinic. A kids race is scheduled for noon on Sunday.
The White Goose Bistro food truck will be on hand to feed hungry riders. DJ's will be cranking out the tunes, along with live performances from indie rockers, Bright City Heights.
Thundershowers are expected today with high of 25 C predicted. The storms are expected to clear Sunday with sunny skies and a high of 25 C in the forecast.
