SINGLESPEED NATIONALS BIKE FESTIVAL ELECTORAL ROLL REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
SINGLESPEED NATIONALS BIKE FESTIVAL ELECTORAL ROLL REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
Singlespeed Nationals
24-27 April 2025
Inner North Canberra,
The Nation’s Capital
Registration on the SS Electoral Roll is compulsory
You pay what you want
Rego is OPEN
for now.
Register on the SS
Electoral Roll.
Pay what you want for entry, pay your own way for food and most sports drinks.
All proceeds to beers, bands and a brown paper bag for our local trail builders and next year’s organisers.
By entering you agree to the Conditions of Entry.
Donating = registering.
What’s Happening?
Here’s the plan:
We’ll provide fulsome delicious details in time, but what you need to know now is that 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 for the Urban Tally Cat. An urban ride with some frivolous activities.
Beers and dinner at Dickson Taphouse
10:30am at Haig Park for the High Society Social Ride. Singletrack for days. 46km-ish and approx 560m of climbing. Indicative GPX, might change a bit.
Lunch at Snapper on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
We’ll return to Haig Park before reconvening in 1970s attire at The Polish Club to groove on with DJ Emma Peel.
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 at Haig Park for a cruisey 15km bike path spin out to Mt Stromlo Forest Park.
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.
We’ll spin back to the Old Canberra Inn for the after party with SS royalty Ramshackle DJ.
This is a pretty big day of riding with the bike path commute out to Stromlo and back.
Day 4 - Sunday 27 April
10:30 at Haig Park for a spin around Majura and out to Capital Brewing 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.
More info to come. In the meantime if you have a question the answer is yes. Or have a look at the FAQ down there.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 will be closing at the moment the Department considers optimal to exclude anyone who is hesitating to have a good time.
TL;DR: soon.
Where is the best place to camp?
The Alivio Tourist Park is the only place to camp in town. EPIC will be closed.
I’ve donated and received a confirmation email, do I need to do anything else to register?
Nope!
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.
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)
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 maye be better served by a continental philosophy course. Try to find one featuring Heidegger, Simone de Beauvoir and Gareth Liddiard.