PORT JERVIS – There are two new world champions as of this past weekend’s 2026 Single Speed World Competition, held in Port Jervis, NY. A final event qualifier also took place during this event and determined next year’s designated host location to be Silver City, New Mexico.
The 2026 female Single Speed World Champion is Chelsea Brennan, 40, of Groton, CT. The male 2026 Single Speed World Champion is Ken Avery, 48, of Amherst, NH. The two winners, both avid cycle competitors, earned world championship titles as a result of the 20-plus mile mountain trail race held on Saturday, October 11, a water-based paddleboard qualifier the following morning, and their overall event performances.
It was CJell Mone, of Silver City, New Mexico who won an additional paddleboard component to secure next year’s event location.
The competitors were part of more than 400 bicyclists from around the world who converged on the Orange County city, beginning on Thursday afternoon, October 8. Many arrived and departed by train, using only their bikes as transportation throughout the Tri-State region all weekend. Some set up tents in the city’s Riverside Park for the weekend. Others stayed at various local locations.
All took part in an initial downtown meet and greet, qualifiers, bicycle games, a bicycle parade, lunch and dinner gatherings and unofficial contests held at local businesses, organizations, and residences, the 20-plus mile official race, and some on river paddleboard qualifiers and a Delaware River raft trip.
The two new world champions each received a personalized tattoo, both selecting calf placement. The tattoo is a requirement for all winners of the Single Speed World Championship annually. This year’s tattoo was designed by event organizer Dejay Birtch and provided by Port Jervis tattoo artist and The Shop owner Sean Addy.
Many other local businesses assisted with the event in other ways, including creation of Port’s Single Speed event’s own beer label (Fox N’ Hare), opening early or closing late to accommodate registrations and/or meals, and a dinner at VFW Post #161.
For those unfamiliar with the Single Speed World Championship, the first SSWC event was held in Big Bear Lake, CA in 1995. Since then, it has taken place in Japan, Australia, Italy, Slovenia, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, Belgium, South Africa, Sweden, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and a total of 10 times in different United States locations. It was not held in 2020 and 2021.
Rather than trophies or cash prizes, Single Speed winners receive personalized jerseys, tattoos, and the fun of competing with other single speed riders in both traditional and unconventional competition activities. This year’s activities, while partially unique to local surroundings, offered much of the same fun. It included skill-based riding through Port’s steep, but well-marked trails and rural terrain, paddleboard steadiness in the Delaware and Neversink Rivers, and pulling flaming logs by bike through the city’s historic downtown business district, among others.
Organizer Birtch of Starcrawf Promotions and owner of NeverLost Adventures in Port Jervis was one of the locals who took part in the challenges and fun of the weekend, but as the organizer was not a championship competitor. He and others who helped host the event praised all of the supporters and participants. That praise was returned by participants throughout the weekend.
Abigail Snyder of Roanoke, VA noted that in addition to the enjoyment of the event, she realized this weekend that one of the best parts about going to races solo is that it is the best way to make new friends.
“I showed up to Port Jervis this weekend, not quite sure what to expect, but ready to go all-in on all of it. So, I did,” she said. “What a fun weekend with rad new homies, sick trails, waaaay too many $1 drafts, and even some attempts to foot-down on a coaster brake clunker ss. And the trails were sweet!”
Snyder said it was a great weekend in a cool little town where everyone she met was super welcoming to herself and her fellow “crazy bunch of misfit single-speeders”.
Another participant, a regular rider on Port’s trails and an outdoorsman who fit this weekend’s activities into a very busy overall weekend – said he is grateful for the challenges and fun the event offered. Port Jervis Police Chief Bill Worden deemed his hometown’s single-track course as the most challenging he has ever personally ridden on, and acknowledged Birtch’s course creation as truly showing the natural beauty of the area.
“Dejay had a dream to bring this event to Port Jervis, and he made that dream become a reality,” Worden said. “Dejay created a difficult and challenging course that showcased all aspects of our world class trails in Port Jervis and the beautiful scenery of our city and the trail system. Our community is truly blessed by this.”
Worden and others noted that a contingent of local riders participated, along with single speed participants from all over the country and world. He said all kept commenting about the hospitality of Port Jervis and its fantastic local trails. Many said they would return for future visits.
As riders took time to explore the city and navigate its neighborhoods over the weekend, they interacted with many of the residents and store owners. There was much talk exchanged about the friendliness of the visitors and the enjoyment in seeing so many visit the city.
“This is great!” was repeatedly stated. “We hope they come back.”
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