This Sunday, Local Ride Racing’s Barry, Steve, Andrew, Roy, Robbie B., Rob K., Mike, Alan, Shane, Gord, Liz, Jeanine and Marie will put their racing legs to the test after they complete a team racing clinic with professional cycling coach, Steve Lund. That’s right, the long-awaited Escape Velocity Spring Road Racing Series is back, with its first race on March 4 on the River Road course in Langley. These races are the perfect way for the Local Ride Racing Team to brush up their skills and train some intensity so they’re flying for Race the Ridge presented by Local Ride on April 28-29 in Maple Ridge. Get a load of some high speed, adrenaline pumping action this Sunday and cheer on Local Ride’s brick and blue jerseys!

Speaking of racing, check out the Natural Earth Racing Team’s (sponsored by Local Ride) press release on the Giant Bicycle Canada web site.

Weekly Special
Save 20% off Specialized Air Force helmets! The Air Force offers all of the protection required by serious cyclists, and many of the technical features found in top models, all alongside great value and our easiest fit system ever. Air Force features include the FORM Fit System that adjusts to fit most riders with just two adult sizes; Elegant sleek shape around wind-channelling vents; In-moulded shell and foam improves strength and reduces weight; and Light and easy-to-use U-Turn strap adjusters. The Specialized Air Force helmet is regularly priced at $54.95.

Featured Product
This week we’re featuring the Specialized Jett Women’s Body Geometry saddle. This comfortable (comes either in black/silver or white/pink/grey) comes in different sit bone widths and is doctor engineered to reduce soft tissue discomfort. It’s race tested by the Victory Team; it is made with soft durometer Tuned Density Foam and it has a carbon reinforced shell and hollow Ti rails. It’s comfortable, light and made for women!

Monday Spin Sessions
Spin Sessions are going strong every week. Come out for weekly indoor spinning sessions, Mondays at 6:15 p.m. Bring your bike, trainer, shoes, two towels (one for yourself and one for under your bike) lots of water. If you don’t have your own trainer, we’ll have a limited number of rentals available for $5 per session. Please call ahead to reserve. Workouts generally last between one and two hours.

Where: Local Ride Bike Shop
When: Monday nights at 6:15 p.m.
Cost: $5 drop-in fee, $5 trainer rental

Sunday Ride
The A Group had a good test on Sunday, as they prepare for the upcoming races, while the B Group had a great fitness workout.

Join us regularly for a Sunday road ride. With such a large number of riders and a varying level of abilities, we recognize it’s time to create a more consistent division in the group. As evidenced by our last ride, the A-Group rides can be very strenuous and last up to six hours. They’re a great workout for experienced and trained cyclists, but not ideal for people who aren’t used to intense riding. Barry will be leading the B-Group this weekend. If you’re planning on joining the B-Group, please contact us at the store and let us know. We look forward seeing you!

Helmets and road bikes with fenders and fender extenders are mandatory. Please call or come by the shop for a pre-ride briefing.

Where: Starbuck’s at Valley Fair Mall on Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge
When: Sundays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee; ETD @ 9:00 a.m.

Saturday Women’s Ride
Local Ride’s Saturday Women’s Ride consisted of a tough and lonely Tanya ripping up the roads by herself on Saturday! Tanya was the only one brave enough to get out in the rain — she is truly hardcore!

Our goal is to gather a group of women focused on building endurance through a steady, fun and supportive road ride of around three hours. We are open to splitting into groups to accommodate different levels. Helmets and road bikes and fenders (with extenders) are mandatory. The ride happens rain or shine (but not if there’s snow and ice)! Please call or come by the shop for a pre-ride briefing. Join us for coffee at 8:30 before we head off at 9:00.

Where: Starbuck’s at Valley Fair Mall on Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge
When: Saturdays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee; ETD @ 9:00 a.m.

Women’s Bike Maintenance Clinic
The women’s basic bike maintenance clinic held on February 15 was a success! Thanks to the eight women who participated and are now able to ride more confidently with the knowledge they gained.

Race the Ridge 2007
Call for Volunteers!
Race the Ridge presented by Local Ride was awarded BC Cup status this year — that’s big news. Now that we’re part of the provincial road racing series, we want to make sure Race the Ridge, scheduled for April 28-29, is better than ever before. To make Maple Ridge’s Race the Ridge a success, we rely on volunteers. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Local Ride Bike Shop. Race the Ridge is depending on you! Please pass this call for volunteers to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks!

Call for Sponsors!
Race the Ridge 2007 is looking for sponsors within the community to help make the BC Cup Road cycling event a success for everyone in Maple Ridge. If you’re interested in being a partner sponsor, please download a copy of our Sponsorship document here.

On Sunday, Local Ride’s Barry, Steve, Dave, Tanya, Andrew, Sandra, Brian and Nona did some Tubbs Snowshoes product testing at Hemlock Valley. “These are great!” said Nona of her women’s specific Tubbs Altitude shoes. Those training for the fast approaching racing season couldn’t give up their Sunday ride, though, so Steve, Barry and Sandra rode out past Mission with Paul, Mike, Alex and newcomer, Kevin. After the rest of the field turned around and headed west, Barry, Steve and Sandra continued on,  battling a powerful headwind, before meeting up with the rest of the snowshoeing crew. All in all, Tubbs Snowshoes received top marks from Local Ride’s testers. Rent some as a part of a romantic Valentine’s evening in the outdoors or buy a pair for a lifetime of romantic snowshoe adventures! 

Weekly Special
Save 60% off on assorted tires in Barry’s Bargin Bin o’ Tires! 

Featured Product
This week we’re featuring Clif and Luna Bars — the tastiest energy bars around. With flavours like chocolate almond fudge, peanut toffee buzz and nuts over chocolate, there’s no going wrong. 

Monday Spin Sessions
Spin Sessions are going strong every week. Come out for weekly indoor spinning sessions, Mondays at 6:15 p.m. Bring your bike, trainer, shoes, two towels (one for yourself and one for under your bike) lots of water. If you don’t have your own trainer, we’ll have a limited number of rentals available for $5 per session. Please call ahead to reserve. Workouts generally last between one and two hours. 

Where: Local Ride Bike Shop
When: Monday nights at 6:15 p.m.
Cost: $5 drop-in fee, $5 trainer rental 

Sunday Ride
The A Group had a good, hilly time with seven riders, while the B Group’s four participants – led by Andrew — stuck to the flats. 

Join us regularly for a Sunday road ride. With such a large number of riders and a varying level of abilities, we recognize it’s time to create a more consistent division in the group. Therefore, starting this Sunday, we will guarantee a B-Group led by someone who knows the area. As evidenced by our last ride, the A-Group rides can be very strenuous and last up to six hours. They’re a great workout for experienced and trained cyclists, but not ideal for people who aren’t used to intense riding. Barry will be leading the B-Group this weekend. If you’re planning on joining the B-Group, please contact us at the store and let us know. We look forward seeing you!  Helmets and road bikes with fenders and fender extenders are mandatory. Please call or come by the shop for a pre-ride briefing. 

Where: Starbuck’s at Valley Fair Mall
When: Sundays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee; ETD @ 9:00 a.m.

Saturday Women’s Ride 
Local Ride’s Saturday Women’s Ride saw seven women ripping up the roads! Nona, Jocelyn, Tricia, Jeanine, Marie, Sandra and pro downhiller Danika had a great workout, working on group riding skills, etiquette and exploring the area’s fabulous rural roads. Our goal is to gather a group of women focused on building endurance through a steady, fun and supportive road ride of around three hours. We are open to splitting into groups to accommodate different levels. Helmets and road bikes and fenders (with extenders) are mandatory. The ride happens rain or shine (but not if there’s snow and ice)! Please call or come by the shop for a pre-ride briefing. Join us for coffee at 8:30 before we head off at 9:00. 

Where: Starbuck’s at Valley Fair Mall 
When: Saturdays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee; ETD @ 9:00 a.m. 

Women’s Bike Maintenance Clinic
By popular demand, we’ll be offering a women’s basic bike maintenance clinic this Thursday! Topics will include fixing a flat tire, cleaning, lubing and maintaining your bike, adjusting brakes, adjusting gears, fixing a chain, and diagnosing problems and anything else you’ve always wondered about, but were afraid to ask. Please sign up at the store, if you’re coming. 

Where: Local Ride Bike Shop
When: Thursday, February 15, 6:15 p.m.
Cost: $5 

Race the Ridge 2007 – Call for Volunteers!
Race the Ridge presented by Local Ride was awarded BC Cup status this year — that’s big news. Now that we’re part of the provincial road racing series, we want to make sure Race the Ridge, scheduled for April 28-29, is better than ever before. To make Maple Ridge’s Race the Ridge a success, we rely on volunteers. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Local Ride Bike Shop. Race the Ridge is depending on you! Please pass this call for volunteers to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks! 

Winter Hours
Please note that we will no longer be open until 7 p.m. on Fridays. 
Monday-Saturday 10-6
Sunday CLOSED 

Barry was down in Morgan Hill, California last week at Specialized Headquarters for Specialized School, where he got to ride the Big Red S’s hottest bikes and learn the ins and outs of this progressive bicycle manufacturer’s innovative products. “It was awesome,” he said. “We rode every day. It was part of the program. I got to ride a Tarmac S-Works and an Enduro SL.” 

Weekly Specials 
We’re blowing out our remaining in-stock Bell and Giro helmets (excluding Bellistic and Sweep models) at 40% off the marked price! 

Plus, for one week only, Barry is introducing the 06 Giant Carbon Deal. That means an extra 10% off the lowest marked price on all in-stock 2006 Giant carbon road bikes. 

Featured Product 
This week we’re featuring Tubbs Snowshoes. That’s right, we now offer snowshoes for rent and sale! Tubbs Snowshoes have strong lightweight aluminum frames, durable decking, easy-to-use bindings and stainless steel crampons ideal for everything from a quick jaunt in the woods to backcountry trekking. Tubbs Snowshoes have been put through the test by Sandra and Jeanine, who raced at Mount Seymour’s The Yeti Snowshoe Race last Saturday. Sandra finished 3rd in the 10K race and Jeanine was 5th in the 5K. “The snowshoes were great!” said Sandra. “They’re light and small, which makes them ideal for running, but you can use them in any conditions.” 

Tubbs has gender-specific designs for optimal snowshoeing comfort and fit. Come test a pair for $15/day rental fee plus refundable deposit. 

Monday Spin Sessions 
Six spinners braved Spinervals’ Suffer-O-Rama workout here at the shop. If you would like to rent a trainer for a Spin Session, please reserve beforehand. We almost ran out yesterday! 

Come out for weekly indoor spinning sessions, Mondays at 6:15 p.m. Bring your bike, trainer, shoes, two towels (one for yourself and one for under your bike) lots of water. If you don’t have your own trainer, we’ll have a limited number of rentals available for $5 per session. Please call ahead to reserve. Workouts generally last between one and two hours. 

Where: Local Ride Bike Shop 
When: Monday nights at 6:15 p.m. 
Cost: $5 drop-in fee, $5 trainer rental 

Sunday Ride 
Riders are showing they’ve had enough of winter and they won’t let rotten weather keep them indoors anymore! Fifteen cyclists put on rain jackets and praised their fenders as they rode together for three hours in Sunday’s monsoon. An “A Group” rode tempo for much of it, while a “B Group” led by Barry kept the pace steady for a great workout. 

We will guarantee a B-Group led by someone who knows the area. The A-Group rides can be very strenuous and last up to six hours. They’re a great workout for experienced and trained cyclists, but not ideal for people who aren’t used to intense riding. If you’re planning on joining the B-Group, please contact us at the store and let us know. We look forward seeing you! Road bikes with fenders and fender extenders are mandatory. 

Where: Starbuck’s at Valley Fair Mall in Maple Ridge
When: Sundays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee; ETD @ 9:00 a.m. 

Saturday Women’s Ride 
Six ladies took to the streets on Saturday, welcoming newcomers Danika and Raena. The women rode over two hours and 50+ hilly kilometers. Join us again this Saturday. Sandra will be out and hopes to split the group and lead a quicker pack for a 3+-hour ride. Don’t worry, there will still be a group with less of a focus on speed! 

The ride happens rain or shine (but not if there’s snow and ice)! Please call or come by the shop if you have any questions. Join us for coffee at 8:30 before we head off at 9:00. 

Where: Starbuck’s at Valley Fair Mall in Maple Ridge
When: Saturdays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee; ETD @ 9:00 a.m. 

Tip of the Week 
Steve advises that you regularly check the tightness of your headset to avoid some pretty nasty accidents that could occur from a loose bolt or two. To check your headset, solidly grip the handlebars, pull the brakes so your bike doesn’t move, then try to move the bike forward and back. If your headset is tight, nothing should move. If your headset is loose, you’ll feel a “clunking” or you’ll notice your handlebars are moving, forward and back even though the brakes are locked. 

Women’s Bike Maintenance Clinic 
By popular demand, we’ll be offering a basic bike maintenance clinic for women. Topics will include fixing a flat tire, cleaning, lubing and maintaining your bike, adjusting brakes, adjusting gears, fixing a chain, and diagnosing problems and anything else you’ve always wondered about, but were afraid to ask. Please sign up at the store, if you’d like to come. 

Where: Local Ride Bike Shop
When: Thursday, February 15, 6:15 p.m. 
Cost: $5  

Race the Ridge 2007 – Call for Volunteers! 
Race the Ridge presented by Local Ride was awarded BC Cup status this year — that’s big news. Now that we’re part of the provincial road racing series, we want to make sure Race the Ridge, scheduled for April 28-29, is better than ever before. To make Maple Ridge’s Race the Ridge a success, we rely on volunteers. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Local Ride Bike Shop. Race the Ridge is depending on you! Please pass this call for volunteers to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks! 

Have a great week!