NZSSC - back in Rotorua for 2013
March 9, 2013
They’re back!
The New Zealand Singlespeed Mountain Bike Championships are returning home to where it all started in 2008.
The Rotorua Singlespeed Society hosted the first champs in 2008 and backed up in 2009.
In 2010 the Society hosted the big show, the Singlespeed World Championships, bringing nearly 1000 riders to the Whakarewarewa Forest Trail network, on the city’s southern doorstep.
“We still get great feedback from people from all over the planet who were here in 2010,” says RSSS president, Gaz Sullivan. “And there was a lot of comment during the recent Rotorua Bike Festival about how town felt the same way as it had during the worlds.”
In 2010, Queenstown was the venue for the New Zealand Singlespeed Champs. 2011 it was Hawkes Bay’s turn and last year the event was staged in Nelson.
“After Nelson, where it would be this year was a bit in limbo, so we put up our hands,” adds Paul Laing, another part of the team who’ll organize the event. “Seemed rude not to.”
Gregg Brown from the Pig & Whistle immediately agreed to sponsor the event, again.
“We did the same in 08 and 09 and were event HQ for the Worlds in 2010,” says Brown, who’s a mountain biker, himself. “The single-speeders are a great crew who race hard and enjoy a beer or two afterwards, so it’s a perfect fit for us.”
The championships will be run on Saturday April 27.
“We ran the first one on Anzac Weekend in 2008,” says Sullivan. “It’s been great to see the other clubs who’ve run it stick to that as a tradition, as they were under no obligation to do so – it’s not like it’s a sanctioned event.”
There will be at least one world champion on the start line, local singlespeed hero, Garth Weinberg.
“One of the best aspects of the 2010 Worlds was Garth winning on home territory after a ding-dong battle with top US pro rider, Rad Ross Schnell,” continues Sullivan. “A magic end to an amazing week.”
The Society is planning another big weekend in April.
“Singlespeeds feel like the Rugby Sevens of mountain biking,” says Laing. “A sporting event wrapped up in a big colourful party with costumes and plenty of fun.”
A ride to the Anzac Day Dawn Parade at the Ohinemutu Marae on the shores of Lake Rotorua, on Thursday, April 25, will start the championships weekend.
“We’re still working out all the details, but there’ll be a film night at the Pig & Whistle on Friday night, along with registration,” says Sullivan. “Race day is Saturday with prize giving at the Pig, that evening and we’ll be back there for a Big Kiwi Breakfast on Sunday."
The event won't be as big as the Singlespeed Worlds with a limit on numbers.
"Entry is getting very close to a full house," Sullivan says.
One thing remains the same. No Ta Moko, no title.
A tradition of singlespeed racing is that the winning man and woman receive a tattoo.
“If you don’t want a tattoo or Ta Moko, don’t win,” adds Sullivan, with a laugh.
The event website is: www.rotoruasinglespeed.com
Rotorua Singlespeed Society
Thanks to our partner the Pig & Whistle Historic Pub.
And to friendly locals: First Sovereign, Agroventures, Events & Venues Rotorua, Fotoengineers,
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