A rider takes on the course at yesterday's Anzac Singlespeed Championships dressed as the Alien.
A rider takes on the course at yesterday's Anzac Singlespeed Championships dressed as the Alien.
The Anzac Singlespeed Championships returned to Whakarewarewa in colourful style yesterday, as riders donned costumes and downed beers to race around the forest's trails.
Spectators packed into the race tent to see Rotorua rider Carl Jones become the new male Australasia/Oceania champion, with a close-run victory over local legend GarthWeinberg.
Race winners are given a tattoo to mark their victory but first Jones had to wash off the facepaint from his costume. The New Zealand cross-country team member had completed the three laps dressed up as Spiderman - proving that with great power comes great riding ability.
"It was pretty solid, a pretty hard day," Jones said. "I just wanted to dress up and have fun really. But I knew that if I won I would have to accept that tattoo."
Not long after Jones crossed the finish line, his partner and cross-country teammate Katie O'Neill rode through to become the new female champion.
On-and-off drizzle did not stop dozens dressing up and taking part in the race: aliens, super heroes and "Jesus" could all be seen pedalling through the forest.
But amid all the fun and games there were only two riders with a shot at victory in the male event. Jones was full of praise for his opponent Weinberg.
"Garth knows exactly how to do it. He knows how to ride a singlespeed pretty well."
At the end of each lap, riders could take a shortcut through the race tent that involved chugging down a cold beer. Those refreshing pit stops had been a welcome boost for Jones - but he knew his limits.
"After two it helps you because it's quite high in energy. But if I had to do a third lap now, I'd be in trouble."
Yesterday was the first Anzac Singlespeed Championships to be held in Rotorua since 2013. Last year's race took place in Dunedin.
Weinberg told the Rotorua Daily Post he had given it "100 per cent the whole way " during the race, and regardless of the result he always enjoyed taking part in singlespeed events.
"Nothing is going to match this for spectators. People take it seriously, people take it in fun, and everyone can just go in the same race and do the same thing," he said.
Both he and Jones agreed that the toughest part of the 9.8km course had been the climb up the horsetrack.
Weinberg said the Anzac weekend race was always a special occasion and that the event was "cemented in our singlespeed folklore".
