Anyone who is repelled, confused or otherwise distressed by the notion of mountain bikes with selections of gears so sparse as to no longer count as a selection should stop reading now. Everyone else should have at least a passing interest in the notion of the British Singlespeed Championships 2005, to be held on 12 June in the small yet pub-laden mid-Wales town of Machynlleth (roughly pronounced “speed of sound-rude word-gargle”, in case you’re wondering).

Reassuringly, most of the available details appear to revolve around food and drink. The organisers have secured a generous accommodation discount at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, and if you get a cheque in quickly enough there’ll be a pizza frenzy there too. Well, the pizza frenzy will take place regardless, but if you don’t book yourself in you’ll have to make your own arrangements – spaces are limited. The Wynnstay will be the centre of beer-and-music related shenanigans for the rest of Saturday evening.

The actual race plan for Sunday is characteristically vague, but will involve everyone meeting up in town and trundling out to the start before heading out into the hills for what’s described as a “biggish” lap. If you want to actually win you’ll need to do one and a half laps – if you’re not that bothered then there’s an option to stop after one. Food and beer will be laid on at the finish.

Entry forms will, at some point, become available, but in the meantime you can glean what further details there are at www.summitcycles.co.uk/singlespeed_2005.htm.