Graeme Simpson: Wearable art on wheels

Animal, best dressed at the Singlespeed World Championships in 2010. Photo/Alan Ofsoski

Singlespeed events in Rotorua have always been spectacular with colourful costumes, starting with the New Zealand Championships in 2008.

The Singlespeed World Championships land on the Whakarewarewa trails for the second time next Saturday, November 18, presented by a local icon, Gaz Sullivan from Nzo.

The first time they were here was in 2010 with 1000 riders. This time it's a bit more relaxed with more than 450.

That includes mountain bikers from all over the world, all excited at returning to Rotorua or coming here for the first time. And dressing up.

A couple of those first-timers are David Marchi from Oregon in the United States and Bruce McPherson from Canada.

They'll lead their teams in bidding for the 2018 Singlespeed Worlds. This process is a little different to most international events which are all about expensive videos and presentations and large licensing fees.

In 2009, in Durango, Colorado, US, New Zealand won the Single Worlds hosting rights after a Karaoke/American Idol competition and a basketball match against Italy. There were no Kiwis in that "New Zealand" team.

In 2010, Ireland won the hosting rights for 2011 after a series of challenges starting at Agroventures and culminating in a horizontal bungy finale against South Africa.

This year? Well, let's just say, mud, food, Fear Factor.

It really is a terrific event to watch. The course map will be on facebook.com/SSWC2017NZ/ on Thursday morning.

It's not too late to enter, online at www.rotoruasinglespeed.com till midday, Thursday or cash-only at registration at the Pig and Whistle from 3-8pm on Friday and at Waipa from 7.30-9am on Saturday.

There are beverages, both on-course and at the Pig at the post-race party, a big Kiwi breakfast and, somewhere in there, a race of sorts. The fastest man and woman will be inked by Tane Lagah, a brilliant local Ta Moko artist.

There are a couple of beautiful, unique bike frames to be won.

Bamboo by Freddy Salgado and steel by Jeff Anderson. And there's a Rotorua Experience swag bag from Dancing Moose Adventure Supplies, Agroventures, OGO, Kartline at Off Road New Zealand, QE Health Wellness & Spa and Rotorua Canopy Tours. Locals supporting a local event.

Other locals are in the mix: Famously Rotorua, Rotorua Lakes Council, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Helibike Rotorua and Albero Websites alongside New Zealand Community Trust and First Sovereign Trust. Race direction is by Nduro Events.

All proceeds will go to Lifeline Aotearoa.

As part of SSWC17, the Portland Filmed by Bike Festival is screening in the big tent outside the Pig and Whistle from 7pm on Thursday.

This is open to anyone by donation to Lifeline. It's a cracker, one-hour programme of top bike (film) shorts. Bring a friend.

The Single Worlds will go live on the Facebook page thanks to Simon Hunt at Fever Pitch Visuals, and will be documented by a photo team who've contributed for beer and T-shirts over the last 10 years: Alick Saunders, Graeme Murray, Helen Brumby, Mead Norton, Mike Breen, Mike Vincent, Nick Lambert and Sue Breen.

Leigh and Alan Ofsoski won't be part of that lovely bunch of folk this time. Alan's photo of Best Dressed in 2010, Animal aka Timo St Anton, went worldwide.