PORT JERVIS – If you would enjoy taking part in or watching a world stage sporting event, Port Jervis is the place to be over the next days and week. Single Speed World Championships, hosted in one location globally each year, is being held in Port Jervis, NY this year beginning on October 8.
Port Jervis businessman and 2026 event organizer Dejay Birtch of Starcrawf Promotions and NeverLost Adventures Bicycle says residents should expect an increased number of visitors for this world-level sporting and recreation event this month.
He said all are welcome to participate with no qualifying necessary. “Come ride, be a part of the event, and have FUN!” Birtch said. “Any skill level is good.
Birtch said those planning to join the estimated 400 participants in this year’s championship ride may use any single-speed bike they are comfortable riding in the woods. Bikes will be ridden around the Tri-State area, with concentration in Port Jervis’ WaterShed Trails. Additional guidelines for the event may be viewed at or or by calling NeverLost Adventures at .
Visitors are expected to begin arriving in the area in advance of several days of planned activities that begin on Thursday, October 8. Train schedules to and from Port Jervis were published by event organizers, with bikes billed as the only transportation needed to get around Port Jervis and to event activities.
The October 8 schedule includes a Train Ride/Group Bike Ride. The October 9 schedule begins with a three-to-four-hour group ride, departing at 10:30 a.m. from NeverLost Adventures.
Anyone wishing to compete in the championship race on October 10 may still register at Foundry 42 (42 Front Street) on October 9, from 4-7 p.m. Also on October 9, a first-round-decider will take place at 7 p.m.
“There will be bicycle games and a chance to meet the riders from 7-9 p.m. on Front Street on October 9,” Birtch said. “All should come to cheer and make noise!”
The Championship Race itself takes place on October 10, beginning with a parade rollout from Front Street at 10 a.m. All are welcome to bring their bike and ride in the 1.5-mile parade. The Championship Race takes place following the parade, leaving from the city’s downtown fountain for an estimated 25-mile loop. Riders are encouraged to ride as fast they personally choose to for the day. While prizes may be awarded for the fastest riders, it is noted that these may not include the same individual who ends up winning the 2026 championship. It is interesting to note that the win comes with a mandatory stipulation that each winner has to agree to carry out, being tattooed with a champion’s tattoo. Champions receive a custom, local event-specific tattoo upon crossing the finish line. If this is refused, the title and win are passed along to someone else.
Sunday, October 11 is listed as an ‘enjoy the morning, maybe get in another ride’, with a possible historical tour of the city to be announced. A ‘final decider’ will take place at 11 a.m. to determine where the event will be next year. This will be followed by an estimated three-to-four-hour Delaware River trip with the local Silver Canoe company on Sunday afternoon. The national event website notes that this October river trip will feature “a kaleidoscope of colors of fall on one of the most scenic rivers in the country.”
Birtch, born and raised in Port Jervis, moved out of the area for a time but chose to return to establish and operate his adventure-based store in his hometown’s historic downtown business district. Having traveled and competed in sporting events around the globe, Birtch holds championship titles in multiple categories. He is not a registered competitor in the 2026 SingleSpeed World Championship race, but as an organizer is grateful to have had 100-percent support of local leaders, residents, businesses, and families in bringing the event to his hometown. He is also glad to be part of the history it will create.
“It will bring lots of worldly exposure, resulting in future visitors, and everything that it brings to the economics of a city,” Birtch said.
Birtch noted that Port Jervis won the hosting rights during a decider in the South African competition in 2025. A decider will also be part of this year’s event to decide on next year’s location.
Since the first Single Speed World Championship in 1995 in Big Bear Lake, CA, the event has been held nine other times in the U.S., including in Port Jervis in 2026. Other nations have included Wales, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Scotland, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Slovenia, Belgium, and Spain. It can only ever be held one time in each location.
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