Well those days are back, with Tathra set to hold the Australian Single Speed Nationals (ASSN) from September 27-29.

Over 100 interstate riders are expected to converge on the renowned mountain bike mecca for a fun weekend of cycling, socializing and celebrating the single speed bike.

Tathra MTB Club's Bec Parkes says the Single Speed Nationals began more than 15 years ago, with the event gaining such a cult status that riders traverse the length and breadth of the country to participate in the next installment. This year sees riders coming from as far away as Tasmania, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Tathra won the 2019 hosting rights thanks to its seaside location and quality of its trails, together with a desire to demonstrate how the town and its trails have bounced back from the fires in March 2018.

Parkes says this year's event has a nautical/pirate theme and riders are encouraged to dress up.

"You can't take yourself too seriously," she says. "Besides, it's been proven you ride 20 per cent faster in a pirate outfit. All jokes aside though, the main spirit of the event is to enjoy the simplicity of riding off road on a bike with one gear. Many of the purists take this to the next level and ride fully rigid bikes with no suspension front or rear."

The ASSN event is open to all styles of cyclist. It's up to the individual as to how seriously they take the event, the only real rule is that you must participate on a bike with one gear.

Parkes says if you don't have a single speed bike, geared bikes can be easily converted with some duct tape wound around the gear shifter. This trick effectively removes a rider's ability to change gears.

"If you convert your bike and you are found cheating during a race, you won't be let off lightly. The teasing from mates will be bad enough to deter most, but the threat of walking the plank off the Tathra Wharf should keep any potential mutinous acts to a minimum!" she says.

The ASSN weekend begins on Friday afternoon with a Smuggler's Run event, where riders follow the clues riding to local haunts to familiarize themselves with the area.

On Saturday, riding steps up a notch - with a hill climb and flow descent event, followed by a cross country lap race. The afternoon offers pump track challenges and kids events amongst a family friendly party atmoosphere.

Sunday features a breakfast, beach activities, the crowning of the 2019 champions and a social ride.

The event is open to all and online entry is available via the MTBA website at https://online.mtba.org.au/ERegister.aspx?E=6554

You can also enter in person on Friday or Saturday morning.

Full event detail can be found on the Tathra MTB Club face book page, under EVENTS. www.facebook.com/tathramtbclub