Multisports: Weekend warriors' wild ride in the west

Local GP Mike Loten always knows when the Karioi Classic in Raglan is coming up.

"My patients are often more interested in discussing the race than their problems," said the 45-year-old doctor from the West Coast Health Centre.

"The local community is right behind it. In its third year it's more popular than ever with the locals."

Loten has managed to take part in every event (triathlons, off road triathlons and Karioi Classics) that Lisa Thomson and Dirk De Ruysscher have organised.

Good friends, they enjoy organising events for like-minded "weekend warriors".

This will be the third staging of Raglan's 46km cycling race on gravel around Mt Karioi.

It is open to mountain bikers, cyclocross and single-speed riders. They are expecting about 400 athletes of all abilities to take part and in time hope the numbers cycling the mountain will increase to 700.

For two-time King of the Mountain Sheldon Gorter, it is a special day for the community.

"The locals love it and get behind it," said the 22-year-old. "Some dress up to do the event and it's good to see the local kids out there having a go."

Loten agreed and said the setting made the Karioi Classic a unique event. It boasts stunning scenery, starting in town with the harbour as the backdrop, the mountain, the views to Taranaki, Aotea and Kawhia and out to the Tasman Sea.

"It has unrivalled scenery and a course that takes us around the Whaingaroa's Mt Karioi," he said. "Varied riding, iconic Raglan culture, smaller, more intimate event, and the condition and age of some of the bikes and bikers entered make it a great day out."

Loten has signed up for the double buster in 2012 and has increased his training to be ready. He is currently completing two short weekday rides and a long weekend ride.

"It's going to be a good challenge," he said of stepping up to two laps of the 45km course. "There are some challenging hills and thrilling downhills. The double buster is approximately 90km so it'll be a good test of my training."

For Thomson the most important aspect of the Karioi Classic is that the event is achievable and welcoming for all athletes.

"Most people with a good level of fitness can have a go," said the 42-year-old, who is the Trade Aid manager in Raglan. We have an endurance option which is two times around, plus our retro classic section - for those on pre-80s bikes - so it's good fun too," she said. "It is all about being social, we have people who have competed in all our events and we pride ourselves on being welcoming and friendly."