It’s Long Ride Time

It’s Long Ride Time
It’s that time of year again – the season for long rides in questionable weather, all for the goal of building endurance so you can get the most out of yourself when the sun comes out and the days are long. Whether you’re a recreational rider or racer, you’ll benefit from winter riding. At Local Ride, we have all the gear you’ll need to keep you motivated, hydrated, fed, warm and dry on your winter rides. 

Local Ride Racing Team
Six Local Ride Racing Team riders proved that they’re not afraid of anything last weekend at the final BC Cup cyclocross race of the season in Coquitlam. The torrential rain started in the night and continued all day, rendering extremities cold, numb and virtually useless. Riders battled through mud and sand, which wore down brake pads. Jean Ann placed third in the Women’s A race and second overall in the series. Steve was fourth in the Men’s B race, Graham (Natural Earth) was 14^th, Mike was 15^th, Robbie 17^th and Paul (Natural Earth) 31^st. Jeanine finished 4^th in the Women’s B category, while Rob K. was 6^th in the Men’s C race. Carsten (Natural Earth) was 10^th and Roy placed a respectable 15^th in only his third Men’s A race. That was it for the season. Robbie and Barry are still considering doing some ‘cross on the Island or in Seattle, but the rest of us are starting up the winter training. 

For 2008 we’d like to go bigger and better, but that naturally requires a larger budget. We’re in the process of preparing a sponsorship package and proposal that we’ll be bringing to businesses in the community. We’d love to have the local business community involved in our team and we think a partnership with Local Ride Racing would be a benefit to any business. With the huge amount of positive exposure our riders have in the community, be it on the bicycle or in the press, backing the Local Ride Racing Team is a smart choice. 

Featured Product 
This week we’re featuring Polar heart rate monitors. Made in Finland, Polar makes the world’s leading heart rate monitors and has a wide product range designed to meet the needs of exercisers at all levels, from the Olympic athlete to the novice exerciser.  With Polar’s line of cycling heart rate monitors, you can combine personalized feedback from your body and bike to achieve greater goals. Polar offers the right solution for cyclists, from the enthusiastic amateur to the serious professional. Get the most out of your exercise with Polar. 

Weekly Specials
This week, all of our in-stock helmets are 20% off (excludes Bell Bellistic model). Save big on our selection of 07 Giant and Specialized models! 

Spinning Sessions
Getting to spin with the gang at Local Ride is your favourite thing about winter. Local Ride’s Spinning Sessions are coming back! The spinning scheduled will be unveiled next week, so stay tuned. 

Sunday Ride
We had a great ‘cross ride last Sunday, which took us along the dikes to Pitt Lake and back. We saw herons, a bald eagle, a coyote, some dead salmon, cranberry harvesters, blueberry bushes aflame with fall colours, and the sun even poked out of the clouds. 10 riders showed up for the ‘cross extravaganza!

Join us this Sunday for a great group ride. We plan to split into three groups: “A” Group for stronger riders looking for a longer, quality workout, “B” Group for more recreational riders aiming to build their fitness and the Women’s Group for women who want to improve their fitness and cycling skills in a fun, supportive and social environment. 

- Helmets and road bikes with fenders and fender extenders are mandatory.
- Make sure you have appropriate clothing.
- Also note that we sometimes get adventurous and stray from paved roads for some
cyclocross-style fun.
- 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. 

Women’s Ride – Sundays!
Okay, now we’ve gone and done it. We are officially moving the Saturday Women’s Ride to SUNDAY.  Four women rode on Sunday with the ‘cross group: Tanya, Marie, Jean Ann and Sandra. Those of you who are still riding Saturdays, that’s great! Keep it up! Just make sure you join us on Sundays too! All groups will meet for the rides at the same time and place and then split accordingly. See the Sunday Morning Ride info above for meeting details and recommendations. 

Remembrance Day Hours
Please note we are closed this Monday, November 12 for the holiday.