It's two-and-a-half years since singlespeed mountain biking was showcased in Rotorua.
The Singlespeed World Championships in October, 2010, were a marvellous, colourful occasion. Around 1000 riders from all over the world took up the challenge.
The dramatic finish, with local favourite, Garth Weinberg taking the title and tattoo over US pro racer Rad Ross Schnell, was nail-biting.
Heather Logie from Australia won the women's, the first time both singlespeed titles had come down under.
Kashi Leuchs, one of New Zealand's top professional cross-country riders perfectly summed up the spirit of the afternoon. Kashi described his result as the best ever at a World Championships - second equal with Ross and everyone else.
If you're not in it to win, forget about your place and your times and have fun. And always maintain a sense of humour.
The event got worldwide coverage and helped keep the ball rolling for Rotorua mountain biking. The Singlespeed Worlds may be unsanctioned and considered a bit of a sideshow - but it certainly has global interest.
The story of the Worlds in Rotorua really started in 2007, when a small group of local enthusiasts decided the time to just talk about a New Zealand Singlespeed Championships was over.
The first Pig & Whistle New Zealand Singlespeed Championships were on Saturday, April 26, Anzac Weekend, 2008. Race organiser Dean Watson and I settled on the date because it threaded the needle in a busy race schedule.
We also liked the Anzac Day connection with April 25 falling on a Friday and making it a long weekend. The idea of a dawn parade ride to the Anzac Day ceremony at the Ohinemutu marae was born.
We ran the New Zealand Championships a second time in 2009. It was fortunate Queenstown put up their hands up to run the 2010 event. By the time that rolled around, we were deep into organisation for the World Champs.
In 2011, the Nationals moved to Hawke's Bay and in 2012 it was Nelson's turn.
The buzz after last year's race was that there was interest in running the 2013 champs, but no one really put their hands up.
After a quick consultation among some of the Rotorua Singlespeed Society and Gregg Brown at the Pig and Whistle about sponsorship, we claimed it back.
In 2013, the event comes home to where it all began. Anzac Weekend again, with race day on Saturday, April 27.
It'll be a bit of a rerun of 2008, with the Dawn Parade ride on Thursday, then registration and a film night on Friday.
After the race on Saturday, prizegiving will be at the Pig & Whistle. On Sunday morning, it's back to the pub for a big Kiwi fry-up.
The New Zealand Singlespeed Champs won't be anywhere near the same size as the Worlds, though there is a healthy contingent of Aussies flying in for the weekend, making the Anzac connection even more significant.
It'll be much more low-key, but it's still the event with the most laughs.
Entries will be strictly limited.With a month to go it is getting very close to a full house. If you want a unique event t-shirt you'll need to enter by Easter Monday, April 1.
Online entry and more information are on the website: www.rotoruasinglespeed.com
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