One of the most entertaining and colourful events on the international mountain bike calendar is returning to Rotorua in 2017.
The Singlespeed World Championship will be part of the Ride Rotorua Spring Carnival with dates to be announced soon.
"When they were here in 2010, no one really knew what to expect," said Graeme Simpson from the host club, the Rotorua Singlespeed Society.
"The numbers tell the story: 1000 riders, 400 from all round the world, an estimated economic benefit to the city of $2.3 million and worldwide coverage."
While the championships are eccentric, with extravagant costumes, tattoos for fastest man and woman, and on-course beverages, it also has a heart of gold and a serious side.
"We've made donations totalling $30,000 to the Cancer Society, CanTeen, RSA Welfare Fund, Kidney Health New Zealand and 88 Bikes," said Mr Simpson.
"Next year's beneficiaries are still under discussion but we are leaning toward the Rotorua Trails Trust who work for all the recreational users of the Whakarewarewa Forest."
The Society won the rights to the 2017 event at this year's championships in Woodend near Melbourne after a close and dramatic finale to the bidding process - a swimming race.
"We sent a crack squad of undercover agents to Woodend to bring the event home," said society president, Gary Sullivan.
"Garth Weinberg, Damian Pootjes, Stephen Butterworth, Naomi Wright and Tad Medjr did a magnificent job."
Mr Medjr went one step better winning the men's race the event and getting the tattoo.
He joins an elite group of Kiwi Singlespeed World Champs, alongside Weinberg (in front of his home crowd in 2010), Clinton Jackson and Angus Edmond.
Mr Simpson said although there had been some concern about the championships being in the Southern Hemisphere two years in a row the response from Asia, Europe, Australia, North and South America had been totally enthusiastic.
"It really shows the power of Rotorua reputation as the world's premier, all-year-round, mountain bike destination."
Rotorua is the only town in the world to have hosted a UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships, UCI Trials World Cup final, Crankworx, rounds of the Enduro World Series and Singlespeed Worlds.
"We're at the sillier end of the spectrum of that line-up, though one-geared mountain biking isn't easy," said Mr Sullivan.
"There'll be serious business at the sharp end with top pro riders and Olympians in pursuit of those prized tattoos but the rest of the field will be happy to be 2nd equal.
"We get a great turn out of spectators enjoying the day including people who've never been on a bike. There'll be tutus and tiaras, probably some tantrums and tears...and that'll just be the blokes."