It all started at a bar and ended at a bar. Way back at the beginning of 2010 Mike got us all together for the first of the meetings that would end in the Canberra One Gear Society (COGS) hosting the Singlespeed Nationals. Of course not even the society existed back then so there was a long way to come.

The weekend however, started with an alleycat I pulled together to show off the best of the Nation's capital, a beautiful place to ride at night. A wet and wintry day left us all a little concerned about just how bearable Canberra was going to be for the weekend, but like an act of God the weather cleared literally minutes before the scheduled meeting time at Olim's, it remain that way for the rest of the weekend.

As for the alleycat; well, some made it out of Olim's, some made it passed the Wig & Pen, and some didn't make it anywhere, enjoying the ales on offer at the start line. Points were obviously awarded for those who completed the cat, but Woody et al proved their mettle by devouring one of each beer at the Wig, so were awarded full points. The night ended far beyond midnite for a few of us, something we paid dearly for the next day.

But what a day! Blue skies, singlespeeders, bikes, beer, trails and bands.....that about sums it up.

It began with a Hill Climb and gee those bikes looked clean, the last time they'd be that way for the weekend. The last few weeks of rain had soaked sections of the trail but left the rest as perfect hard packed single. Much loss of breath resulted from the 10 minute climb to the top of the forest.

Then it was the Time Trial, a deadly section of trail named Auto Alley; one of my favorites on a good day but I was glad to be wielding my camera that day, still well under the weather. I think the trail took a lot of people by surprise but all were impressed with the quality of the trail and the challenge it offered.

It may seem as though I'm skipping over the important stuff, but honestly I've seen and done a lot of racing in my days, what I was waiting for was the serious stuff; which began with the 16" crits! There is not a person on earth who would not find enjoyment in watching full grown human beings ride tiny bicycles, circuses have been doing it for years only they train on the things and get paid to look slightly retarded. The carnage began immediately and continued 'til the bikes were neatly stacked ready for the skid comp.

Garth was very nearly run over as he successfully skidded out of sight and toward the highway, leaving most of us wondering whether or not his rear wheel was actually on the ground. Events soon turned to demonstrations of upper body strength with the Huffy Toss and then the canines raced the big wheelers in the Husky Race.

The Coopers (over forty cartons provided by the Adelaide brewer) flowed all day, then as the daylight began to fade the temperature came down and the volume went up. Mal decided to let us hold our party in the back of the shop. Three fantastic bands, concluding with Hancock Basement, played the night away. Parking was limited so the bikes were racked, standing space was limited so the roof was the place to be.

Another horrid morning for most, those who camped at Majura were lucky enough to only have to roll out of bed and they were at the start line. Once Mike had the crowd under control he released them for the warm up, a bike hunt. Bec and I had hidden a purple pedal machine in the forest (maybe submerged in a dam) and the first to find it would take all. It was a very happy punter that felt the cold water between his toes.

Of course it was then the main event, the XC. There was lots of riding through the forest....yep....but then there was.....

.....the beer tent. Each lap had a short cut (the beer tent) through which you needed to devour one of our cool ales, provided by a friendly blonde behemoth.

I headed out for some photos and to watch some of the carnage and mud, but soon found myself in the same place as most. Some never made it past the tent. That's true endurance!!

The formalities were short and sweet with ridiculous amount of sponsor shwag being given to winners, participants and the brave. I do however think that the overall winners, Aiden and Anna, had neglected to reed the fine print.

Overall winners would be marked for life. Reluctantly it seems, they were taken away;  the next time we saw them we were enjoying after event beers at the Old Canberra Inn, and they were plastic covered and inked.

It all seems like a dream; a haze of bikes, beer, mud, friendly people and perhaps most importantly, perfect weather. One of those event I hope to be at every year no matter where beer is at. It all started at a bar and ended at a bar.

Of course Mike needs to be acknowledged for his skill in pulling together a bunch of side-tracked, mostly drunk, generally exhausted, ramshackle singlespeeders to bring about a full weekend of festivities with not a hint of tragedy (besides a stolen bike, but Wil was given the free On-One so he's on his way back to a full ride). And of course Canberra now has a new organisation - COGS lives! And, once we've recovered from the weekend, will be seen back on the trail with more beer fueled mud, sweat and single-gears!