Discounted Race Registration Fees Available Until Jan. 31

Local Ride – Race the Ridge 2012 Preview from Brett Wakefield on Vimeo.

There are only a few hours left to take advantage of early-bird registration discounts for Race the Ridge and Barry’s Roubaix, Maple Ridge’s premier road cycling races presented by Local Ride Bike Shop.

Early-bird discounts for Barry’s Roubaix – modeled after the great European Spring Classics – and Race the Ridge – a true road cycling stage race – expire on Tuesday, January 31.

“We’re encouraging riders to sign up soon, not just so they can save some money, but particularly to guarantee their spot in the race. We are offering pre-registration only, and we don’t want people to be disappointed if they miss their chance to participate in these awesome races,” said Local Ride Bike Shop’s Barry Lyster.

Race the Ridge is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on April 28-29 and organizers are urging those wishing to experience a part of Maple Ridge’s cycling history to sign up soon, as most fields will be capped at 60 riders. Lyster is expecting the Cat 3/4 men’s field in particular to sell out as it did in 2011.

Barry’s Roubaix, scheduled for Sunday, April 7, is special because of its inclusion of roughly 4km of the scenic Pitt Meadows Dyke System in its 10km course. The gravel surface adds an extra variable to the mostly flat loop, which riders will navigate multiple times, with the number of laps depending on race category.

Lyster is continuing to emphasize the development of cycling in the community and the province by offering youth and kid’s races. In addition to a free fun kid’s race, Race the Ridge and Barry’s Roubaix both have U17 youth categories that will challenge Canada’s future cycling stars.

Both events are also open to novices, along with Cat 3/4 and Cat 1/2 men’s and women’s categories.

Register online at www.karelo.com.

2012 Edition of Maple Ridge Cycling Race to Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary

Local Ride Bike Shop is excited to announce that Race the Ridge, a road cycling stage race in Maple Ridge, BC, April 28-29, 2012, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year and early bird registration and discounts, start today.

“Organizing Race the Ridge and other bike races in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows over the last decade has definitely been a journey,” said Lyster, who also owns Local Ride Bike Shop in his hometown of Maple Ridge. “But despite the obstacles, like weather snafus and pigs on the course, I’m proud that we have put this community on the cycling map. We enjoy some of the best cycling terrain in the country.”

Although the New Year has just started, Lyster is urging riders to plan ahead and register for the event before January 31 to take advantage of early bird prices. Discount registration for Local Ride Bike Shop’s first race of the season, Barry’s Roubaix on Sunday, April 8, modeled after the grueling spring classic, Paris-Roubaix in France, is also available until January 31.

“If your goal for 2012 is to try road racing, Race the Ridge and Barry’s Roubaix are great target events,” said Lyster. “The courses are unique and challenging and will give you a taste of what the sport is all about.”

Barry’s Roubaixis special because of its inclusion of roughly 4km of the scenic Pitt Meadows Dyke System in its 10km course. The gravel surface adds an extra variable to the mostly flat loop, which has a history of strong winds and otherwise inclement weather. “Last year’s [Barry’s] Roubaix was a race for the truly tough,” said Lyster. “It was incredible how much it rained that day. But these things are what make road races exciting. And who knows? Maybe it will be sunny and warm this year.”

Race the Ridge, Lyster’s showcase event, will feature a full three-stage race for Cat 1/2, 3/4, and Youth categories, while a Novice stage race will include two stages: an individual time trial and a criterium. In true stage racing tradition, the rider with the lowest cumulative time after completing the final leg is crowned champion.

The action will kick off on the morning of Saturday, April 28 with the Thornhill road race. Riders will once again see competitors challenge the rolling 10km course, using strategy, smarts, and physical strength as they vie for the win over multiple laps of this demanding circuit on the beautiful rural roads of Maple Ridge.

The day will continue into the evening with Stage 2, a rolling 21.5km out-and-back individual time trial against the clock in Golden Ears Provincial Park. The time trial will also be open as a single event to those who do not wish to tackle an entire stage race just yet.

The final race will decide the 2012 Race the Ridgechampions in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge on Sunday. The Town Core Criterium is arguably the most spectacular race of the weekend. This fast-paced, aggressive battle on an 800m course in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge will see riders taking risks in order to come out on top in the multiple-lap contest.

For Local Ride Bike Shop’s 2012 events, Lyster is continuing to emphasize the sport’s development with youth and kid’s races. In addition to a free fun kid’s race, Race the Ridge and Barry’s Roubaix both have U17 youth categories that will challenge Canada’s future cycling stars.

“I have three young daughters, and it’s important for me to help grow and sustain the sport so that they will be able to enjoy cycling for years to come,” said Lyster.

For more information about Race the Ridge and Barry’s Roubaix, visit www.localride.ca. Register online at www.karelo.com.

Happy New Year from your friends at Local Ride Bike Shop! For 2012, we are putting on a new face through an extensive renovation and remodel at the store. If you haven’t come by yet to see the changes, drop in sometime! Don’t worry – even though the store looks new, you will still get the same excellent service from us, from advice on bike fit, a tune-up on your ride, to a tour of the Giant‘s great line-up of 2012 bikes.

Thanks for helping us make 2011 such a fantastic year. Whether you volunteered at one of our events, participated in Barry’s Roubaix, Race the Ridge, or Pumpkin Cross, cheered on our team racers, or just came to see what Local Ride Bike Shop is all about, you contributed to our goal of promoting the sport of cycling in the community!

What’s on tap…

As usual, we have big plans for the coming year:

• Saturday Morning Road Rides are picking up again. Everyone is welcome (click HERE for more details).
• The reno’s will be completed soon and we plan to mark the event with a celebration. Stay tuned for details.
• We are scheduling more cycling and bike maintenance clinics for the New Year and will announce the dates soon.
• Barry’s Roubaix, Race the Ridge, and Pumpkin Cross are definitely happening again. It’s going to be Race the Ridge’s 10-Year Anniversary, so expect something special! Online registration will open Jan. 3 at noon at www.karelo.com.

The 2012 Giant Brass is the perfect junior mountain bike for your kid. Offered in 20″, 24″ and 26″ wheel models with a virtually bomb-proof frame (covered by Giant’s lifetime warranty), it will do whatever junior needs it to. Whether he’s been naughty or nice this year, the Giant Brass is the perfect gift. Giant Brass 2 $589.95 Giant Brass Jr 24 $409.95 Giant Brass Jr 20 $349.95.

Do you want to get her something fabulous this year, but can’t quite figure out what that is… and time is running out? May we suggest the Giant Dash 1? This beautiful bike is perfect for the woman who wants to get fit – or fitter – and have fun while doing it! The Dash is a women’s specific road fitness bike, ideal for commuting or long recreational road rides. Whether the goal is simply the pure joy of speeding along with a fresh breeze in her hair, or the satisfaction of making a difference by completing a charity ride, the Dash will get her there.

Giant’s high quality ALUXX SL grade aluminum and a carbon fibre fork are married with performance Shimano Tiagra components to make one awesome bike. Available at Local Ride Bike Shop. $1,199.95