First there was Enduro, or whatever it called itself, but it long precluded any other uphill and downhill biased brethren of the cycling fraternity. Therefore it is superior. Satirically-themed racing returns to Makara Peak this March the 18th, and we are determined to put Enduro First.

Now in its third year, the Wellington Mountain Bike Club Makara Peak Enduro is taking on the mantle of Winston Peter(s), to complement the previous monikers of Donald Trump and Tiger Woods. This year New Zealand citizens, and possibly a few cheeky immigrants, will head into the carved hillsides of Makara Peak and pick the tracks they want to race on, in a relaxed take on enduro racing. This time it will also be round three of the Wellington Enduro Series (round 4 for the women), and a potential kingmaker for the points totals.

The format will be as populist as possible, with a range of route options so that riders can choose three tracks that fit their own agenda and conveniently ignore those that don’t. Although the tracks will be kept a secret until just before the race, there will be a couple of grade 3s, a grade 3/4, a grade 4/5 and a renegade grade 5 to choose between. Riders converge at Mud Cycles in Karori for 8am, and have three hours to head off, ride their three tracks and make it back to Muds, where the results will be collected and the beer will be flowing. Each track will be a race in itself, with points awarded for each placing. A rider’s overall score is simply the points from their three tracks added together, or their best three if they did more than three runs. This means the race could just as easily be won on the easier tracks as the hard tracks, and we can make the grade 5s nice and gnarly without scaring off intermediate entrants.

The full range of age categories will be up for grabs, and Winnie wouldn’t let us get away without an over 65s category, and free entry for them to boot. Bring your nan! Timing will be taken care of by WMTBC’s flash new system, so all five tracks will be open for runs simultaneously, and queues should be less time than you wait in line for your pension. There won’t be any shuttles, so bring a good pair of legs, but the timing is generous and the vibe will be relaxed. So if you’re looking for something to do in a few Saturdays, put your vote in for the most whiskey-drinking, cabinet-heckling, racially-questionable event on the calendar, and come put Enduro First at the Enduro First Enduro.

Entries are now open here, and more details can be found on our facebook page. A huge thanks to all our event sponsors for making it happen, and providing some sweet spot prizes. They are Mud Cycles, ChainSlap, Whittakers, Yeastie Boys, One Fat Bird bar, RED clothing, Maxxis tyres, Spank components and Marleens distributors. You all rock!