Demo Daze

Local Ride has two fabulously fashionable mango-coloured Specialized demo bikes available for test rides — an Epic Expert dual suspension XC mountain bike and a Tricross Comp cyclocross speedster. We’re offering prospective buyers the opportunity to rent these snazzy bicycles for $60/day, which we will deduct from the purchase price of the same model. You know you’ve always been interested in how Specialized’s incredibly efficient suspension technology feels on a real trail and not just on the showroom floor. And the idea of a ‘cross bike — a bike you can ride swiftly on pavement, but also give a beating off-road — is oh-so enticing, isn’t it?   

Local Ride Racing Team 
The team did super on Sunday at BC Cup #1 — Harris-Roubaix road race! Barry, Roy, Steve, Mike and Rob all finished strong in the lead group, showing off their svelte new team kits. Liz held in there and finished with the second group of women, including some of the Giant Team.  Marie made it through five laps of hell before cramps got her and Jeanine (after her European training camp) held on for six great laps! Andrew was a trooper as well, getting up and finishing after someone crashed him out in the first 15 kilometres of his 60-kilometre race. And thanks to Maggie, Kaelen, Dave and the rest of the Local Ride Racing Team’s fan club for the cheering and support!   

Featured Product 
This week we’re featuring Specialized’s Flow Control Brain suspension technology (Adobe PDF, 3MB), which you’ll find on Epic models and more Specialized FSR bikes. Isn’t the pursuit of speed one of the reasons you ride? That might mean beating up on the regulars on your Sunday morning ride or leading the pack through a tough section of trail at a BC Cup. The Flow Control Brain suspension technology will help you do it all. The intelligent suspension also offers a comfortable and forgiving ride, ’cause it’s all about feeling good — while you’re beating up on the other guys! 

Sunday Ride 
Meet fellow cyclists regularly for a Sunday morning road ride. With such a large number of riders and a varying level of abilities, we’ve created a division in the group. 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! Note: Now that the competitive season has started and races are happening every weekend, many Local Ride riders will not attend Sunday Rides.   

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 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 Rides are still going strong, despite the absence of Sandra, who every Saturday, as she trains alone in Switzerland, wishes she could be riding with the ladies in Maple Ridge!   

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 in Maple Ridge 
When: Saturdays @ 8:30 a.m. for coffee ETD @ 9:00 a.m.    

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. We’re still looking for folks to help out and time is running out!  

Call for Sponsors! 
Race the Ridge 2007 is still 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.    

We’d like to thank Shimano Canada, for stepping up and offering all Race the Ridge participants 30% off when they purchase a wheelset or a pedal/shoe combo at Local Ride! 

Sandra Report 
Yodel-ee-hoo from Switzerland! My racing season has gotten off to a great start over here, but I have to say, I miss my friends at Local Ride very much. I wish I could open a franchise over here and get everyone in Maple Ridge to come and train the new staff. In German the shop would be called: Locale Fahrt. Hmm… not that catchy, is it? Anyway, the riding here is great (don’t hate me, but it’s been 20+ degrees and sunny for the past two weeks), I feel really strong and I’m stoked to be racing. At the first Swisspower Cup, I placed 9th among a field of 52 high calibre women. Check out my race report here (in English). At the second race of the series last Saturday, I placed 4th! The competition wasn’t quite as deep as at the first race, but I’m breathing down the necks of the top three! A podium — preferably the top — is my goal for the next Swisspower Cup. But before then, I’ve got a date with the World Cup in Houffalize, Belgium (yes, I’ll get you guys beer) this Sunday. I start at 11:00 am Euro time, so I expect you all to be up and thinking of me (with fingers, toes, etc. crossed) at 2:00 am PST!    

Spring Hours 
Monday-Saturday 10-6 
Sunday CLOSED