Locals are again being given first dibs at entering the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race/ride. Set your smartphone calendar for Dec. 2. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day Mountain Bike Specialists will host a “locals only registration party.” The race and citizens ride is set for May 24, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

Registration opens online to the public at 9 a.m. Dec. 3, but if you snooze that day there are no guarantees:

Last year the road ride from Durango to Silverton sold out just 36 hours after online registration opened. Some race categories were closed within 13 hours.

The Dec. 2 party, on a Monday, will have several stations for riders to enter the 43rd annual Iron Horse either online or with the old-fashioned paper entry. Food and drink will be provided by local restaurants and businesses.

For more information visit ironhorsebicycleclassic.com.