SINGLESPEED NATIONALS BIKE FESTIVAL CANBERRA THE NATION'S CAPITAL - FEEL THE POWER
SINGLESPEED NATIONALS BIKE FESTIVAL CANBERRA THE NATION'S CAPITAL - FEEL THE POWER
Singlespeed Nationals
24-27 April 2025
Inner North Canberra,
The Nation’s Capital
Entries are now closed.
Donate to the SS Nats
Entires are now closed, donations remain open.
All funds to beers, bands and a brown paper bag for our local trail builders and next year’s organisers.
By entering you agreed to the Conditions of Entry.
What’s Happening?
Here’s the plan:
Each day you’ll be riding bikes around the trails of the Nash Cap and you’ll be near places with frothy chops and food available when we’re gonna be hungry and thirsty.
Pay what you want for entry, pay your own way for food and sports drinks. We’ll sling a few cans around for hydration purposes out on the tracks.
Day 1 - Thursday 24 April
3pm at Haig Park at the top of Lonsdale St for the Urban Tally Cat. An urban ride with some frivolous activities.
Spangled Drongos bike bush doof crew providing some choons.
Beers and dinner at Dickson Taphouse with Flik.
10:30am at Haig Park at the top of Lonsdale St for the High Society Social Ride. Singletrack for days. 46km-ish and approx 560m of climbing. Indicative GPX.
Lunch at Snapper on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
4pm-ish We’ll return to Haig Park, and everyone will go home or behind a tree to get changed before reconvening in 1970s attire at the Polo.
6pm at The Polish Club to groove on with DJ Emma Peel. There’ll be food vans at the Polo, and resturants nerarby.
Dress code for the evening is brown Tie, bright tie-dye or whatever else makes you jive.
Day 2 - Friday 25 April
Day 3 - Saturday 26 April
10:30am (sharp!) departing Haig Park at the top of Lonsdale St for a cruisey 15km bike path spin out to Stromlo Forest Park.
Suggested route to stromlo: GPX.
OR Book a shuttle, $50 return with Dynamic Motivation Shuttles.
Out at Stromlo there’ll be food trucks, a bar and a competition of sorts.
Dress code: Singlespeeding is a serious sport for serious people. We would not want to bring singlespeeding into disrepute by dressing up in outlandish costumes for all of Canberra to see.
Two Stage Ride Format: The ride around Stromlo will be about 25km of XC trails with rollable jumps, rock gardens, roots, logs, rocks and drops. The course will be marked with orange tape and it will be open to other riders. Here’s a GPX of the ride.
The finest finishers and four wild cards will be provided with *magical* golden tickets permitting them entry into the final stage of the race. The final stage will take place when all riders are off the course and spectating. Winners of the final stage will be our champions.
5:30pm - After Party: We’ll spin back to the Old Canberra Inn for the presentations and after party with the Spangled Drongos bike bush doof crew and SS royalty Ramshackle DJ.
This is a pretty big day of riding with the bike path commute out to Stromlo and back so plan your nutrition and hydration strategy accordingly.
Day 4 - Sunday 27 April
10:30 at Haig Park for a spin around Majura and into Dissent Cafe and Bar for lunch. Anyone not feeling it for Majura can catch the crew as we swing past the Ainslie Mountain Pub at about 12 or so. This one’s in memory of Brenton Rodgers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the Singlespeed Nationals Administration Department communicate with me during the event?
If we need to contact you during the event we will use one, some or all of the following methods:
Hand delivered security sealed envelope.
Email. Using the email address you registered with.
The SINGLESPEED NATIONALS BROADCAST SIGNAL GROUP. Check your email for a link to join.
I’m lost and I can’t find my parents, who will save me?
If you become overwhelmed, turned about or otherwise incapacitated please make yourself known to a Canbassador or message the SINGLESPEED NATIONALS BROADCAST SIGNAL GROUP.
What is a Canbassador?
A Canbassador is an ambassador of Canberra. Canbassadors are bestowed powers that they are authorised to wield arbitrarily or in pursuit of their own strategic objectives. Which might align with yours from time to time. Canbassadors are identifiable by their Canbassador sash the colour of this webpage with golden tassels. Canbassadors may choose to avail you of Cliff Bars, red snakes, first aid, directions, contact with the Singlespeed Administration Department or extrajudicial deportation.
Can I be a Canbassador?
Send your CV and a two page pitch that includes the phrase “and that’s how I lost my keys, my gears and my underwear and found myself” to bottlesandchainsfd@gmail.com
I’ve donated and received a confirmation email, do I need to do anything else to register?
Nope!
I don’t want to ride my bicycle to Mt Stromlo and back, is there a shuttle available?
Yes. $50 return with Dynamic Motivation Shuttles
How will hosting rights for next year be determined?
Representatives from Australian states or territories seeking to host the Singlespeed Nationals 2026 can nominate themselves to Singlespeed Nationals Administration Department representatives at 3pm on the first day of the event, Thursday 24 April.
Absolutely dignified novelty events will be held on each day to amass hosting points. The winners of the overall competition will win the rights to host the singlespeed Nationals in 2026.
Hosting rights will be conferred on the winners in person on Sunday 27 April.
Is this a kid friendly event?
Where you take your kids is up to you. All the rides are made for fully grown humans and there are no kid-specific activities but if your little human/s are chilled hanging with this bunch then all g.
Do I have to ride a singlespeed at the singlespeed nationals?
Recently in Canberra - the Nation’s Capital - the annual security address advised Australians that young people are increasingly being radicalised on the internet. It occurs to us that the internet is the very mechanism by which you view these pixels.
Bottles and Chains Federal Division welcomes the opportunity to radicalise young people and those who have successfully resisted the opportunity to become old.
We will persistently use the internet and other constitutionally-covered carriage services, unsanctioned events in the real world and any other means possible to turn promising people onto the grot and grime of singlespeed life.
Turn on. Tune in. Singlespeed.
In the interests of your radicalisation, you don’t need to ride a singlespeed to participate in this bicycle fringe festival. Just cough if you change gears and understand the derailleur-free forces you’re dancing with.
Except of course, the spirited ride on Saturday at Stromlo. Participation in that ride is singlespeed only. Soz. Have a sports recovery drink and watch insead.
When do entries close?
The Singlespeed Nationals Administration Department advises that, while in all other respects the Singlespeed Nationals 2025 will be an inclusive, welcoming and adequate event, the event will exclude people who hesitate to have a good time.
For that reason, entries closed at MIDNIGHT FRIDAY 18 APRIL.
What are the prevailing climactic conditions and how will this influence my choice of attire?
Season: Autumn in Canberra is a transition season, so you can expect some variability in the weather.
Temperature: Last year’s April ranged from -0.5 degrees to 29 degrees. The average low was 7.6°C and the average high was 18°C.
Rainfall: Canberra can experience some rainfall in April, but it's usually not excessive. Be prepared for occasional showers. Or maybe there’ll be a monsoonal deluge followed by a bushfire, variety is the spice of life.
Clothing Recommendations: Given the potential for variability in the weather, consider packing layers.
Light to medium-weight clothing: Merino T-shirts, long-sleeved flannies, jump suits, ripped jeans and 1970s office attire are good options.
A light jacket: A water resistant jacket is a good idea in case of rain, wind or drooling.
Beanie, gloves down jacket: Rug up.
Down pants, camp booties, hand warmers and whisky: These can be useful for Queenslanders, our Alice Springs crew or others who may not be acclimatised to Canberra’s totally perfect weather.
Where is the best place to camp?
The Alivio Tourist Park is the only place to camp in town. EPIC will be closed.
Where should I stay?
Base yourself somewhere in the Inner North, riding distance from Braddon. We’ll be meeting at Haig Park in Braddon each morning. There’s also light rail that runs to Gungahlin, you can easily take your bike onboard.
What are some things to do while we’re in Canberra?
According to visitcanberra.com.au the top 10 things to do in Canberra are [please read this in an overly enthusiastic tourism advertisement voice]:
Enjoy more than just five-star stays.
Indulge your inner foodie in Braddon.
Shop at the best weekend markets and specialty stores.
Explore the capital's famous lake.
Celebrate the seasons with events and festivals.
Choose your favourite artwork from more than 30 galleries.
Wander through wineries and breweries.
Discover the Australian story at museums and national icons.
Reconnect with nature and see Aussie animals.
Enjoy activities designed for young families.
Isn’t that a delightful, cosmopolitan mix of activities for you to try!
What are some of the hazards I may face when making my way around the Nations Capital?
When making your way around our beautiful city, please beware of oak barrel planters and other street furniture that has previously proven perilous for singlespeeders and prominent politicians alike. It’s also always handy to retain possession of your keys which, may I remind you Drew, are required to enter your accommodation and to access your vehicle for the return drive home.
While Canberra does have an international reputation for being a gritty, urban centre of some ill repute, Singlespeeders should be wary of the most prevalent criminal activity: Corporate Tax Avoidance with its far-reaching economic and social consequences. When large companies exploit loopholes and utilise aggressive tax minimization strategies, it erodes the tax base, depriving the government of crucial revenue needed to fund essential public services like lower taxes on Paul Components, hand cut singletrack and bike paths to breweries.
If I have some time either side of the event, is there anywhere I can ride my bicycle that’s not already featured in the comprehensive and hand curated mix tape of luscious single track and licorice bike paths?
Yes:
Brandy Flat Hut (there are a few ways into this one)
Will I drink beer brewed from a pumpkin that was once used as a kayak paddling down the Tumut River?
Yes. Tumut River Brewing’s ‘That’s a Paddlin’ Spiced Pumpkin Brown Ale will be on tap, served from a bike by Spangled Drongos on Thursday evening.
Can I ride this mountain bike ride on tyres that aren’t measured in inches?
I’m sure you could ride any bike anywhere.
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No
Do I need to be wearing a costume to win?
No one actually asked this.
If I’m thinking about winning, have I already lost?
The ANU in Canberra has an analytical philosophy department, however for this question you may be better served by a continental philosophy course. Try to find one featuring Heidegger, Simone de Beauvoir and Gareth Liddiard.