Many public holidays are just another day off for a lot of us.
However, Anzac Day is one that seems to grow in significance every year.
The dawn service at Ohinemutu Marae is certainly a special event in a special place.
To mark the return of the Pig & Whistle New Zealand Singlespeed Championships to Rotorua, the Singlespeed Society is organising a dawn ride to Ohinemutu tomorrow morning.
It's for all cyclists, not just the one-geared variety. Meet outside the Pig at 5.25am, leaving at 5.30 with the service scheduled to start at 5.45am.
The Society organised a similar ride during the first New Zealand Championships in 2008.
One very important thing about Singlespeed events is the costumes.
The Singlespeed Champs are about colour and costumes but there will also be some fast, competitive racing at the sharp end and the society hopes a good crowd will turn up to cheer on the riders.
Rotorua rider, Garth Weinberg is a three times New Zealand champion and won the Singlespeed World crown in 2010. He'll face a stern test from another local, Sam Shaw. The women's field is also strong and includes one of New Zealand's most successful cross-country riders, Beijing Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Rosara Joseph.
"Singlespeeding is hard and having support is always good if you're a potential winner or just someone out for a laugh," says Singlespeed Society president, Gaz Sullivan from NZO dirtwear. "Some of the favourite spectator spots from 2010 are included in this year's course and are an easy walk from race HQ at the Waipa MTB car park."
An enthusiastic team of volunteers is running the event.
"There really is something unique about the singlespeeds," adds Gaz. "When the call goes out, help is always at hand from volunteers and sponsors who've supported us since 2008, especially the Pig & Whistle."
The event team is also a very experienced and impressive group. Most of the society committee were heavily involved in the 2006 Mountain Bike World Champs and 2010 Singlespeeds. People like Paul Laing, Carolyn Scherger, Rick Todd, Dave Joy, Mark Dyer, Ra Bhana, Dr Kat Webb and so on aren't just good at this, they do it in their own time.
The course is under wraps until just before race day.
A couple of young guys, Haedyn Borck and Damian Pootjes are in charge of this and are doing a great job. Another unsung hero of Singlespeed events is helping them, a bloke by the name of Jono Cuff, whose capacity for hard work is breath taking.
Two Rotorua cycling personalities will ensure there is no cheating.
The scrutineers and the men with the hammers will be Dale Hollows and Mountain Bike Rotorua's Tak Mutu. These are two guys you really don't want to argue with.
Race day is Saturday, April 27. The event HQ will be a marquee at the Waipa car park and race start is scheduled for around 10.30am.
Regular updates are on the event facebook page: facebook.com/2013NZSinglespeedChamps
Jahche Broughton beat tourist Karen Aim to death with a baseball bat when he was just 14.