Team News

Local Ride Racing has had a busy few weeks on and off the road. On the road it was BC’s Superweek which included 6 different stages in Delta and White Rock. Off the Road LRR was in Canmore for the Canadian National XC Championship and Squamish for the Gear Jammer Marathon race. Here are some brief highlights and results from all the action.

When Svein Tuft was in town for BC Superweek, he stopped by the Mission Raceway for Wenting’s Wednesday Night Crit

Tour of Delta

Barry and Dave were out to support the cat 1/2 teams of Mike Berkenpas, Zach Young, Jean Ann McKirdy, Chelsea Billsbarrow and Rachel Canning along with Rich Macchein and Steve Doreen who raced the 3/4 crit. The guys were in for a tough weekend with riders from the Pro Tour team Garmin-Transition and pro-continental teams Kelly Benefits and Jelly Belly. Mike and Zach held their own in the prologue, finishing a respectable 26 and 31 seconds down on the winner Ben Chaddock. Mike did the brick and blue proud by finishing both the crit and road race to earn himself a 55th overall placing (out of 93 starters) . The women also had a fight on their hands with both the powerful Total Restoration and Trek Red Truck teams out in full force. In the end Jean Ann finished 9th overall while the ever improving Rachel rounded out the top 20.

Tour of White Rock

With White Rock falling on the same weekend as MTB nationals, 3 racers were able to make it. Zach, Rachel and Steve Devantier. The disgustingly hilly courses in White Rock were well suited for a light weight like Steve who finished 19th in the hill climb and 24th in the road race. Unfortunately the same hills didn’t help Zach who had just recently upgraded to cat 1/2 and suffered to stay with the pack. Rachel had strong showings in both the hill climb and crit. She was sitting 11th on GC before fading in the road race.

XC Nationals

In their quest to qualify for the World Championship Sandra Walter and Jean Ann travelled to Canmore for the Canadian MTB Nationals. Sandra showed some good form charging to a 5th placed finish late in the race. Jean Ann finished as the 8th fastest female in Canada. Also competing at Nationals were Master racers Ryan Newsome and Jeanine Ball. Jeanine placed 5th in her category while Ryan finished was happy with his finish.

Gear Jammer

The Gear Jammer was a successful race for Local Ride, with Ryan, Steve and Jeanine all grabbing the final podium step in their respective categories. Paul Craig used all his race tactics in a sprint finish to nab top 20 in his category. And finally Marie Devantier competing in her first ever Marathon MTB race was just happy to finish. Big congrats also go out Local Ride friends Melissa, Hector and Carsten for their successful races.

Third place finishers: Steve, Ryan, Jeanine

This past weekend saw Canada’s largest participation mountain bike race contested in Squamish. The Test of Metal annually draws over 800 weekend warriors and pros, and was a key race for some of the Local Ride Racing crew. The event was held in perfect conditions, and saw all 7 of the Local Riders that started the race finish with smiles on their faces.

Test of Metal – Pro Women’s Podium
(l to r) Sandra Walter, Catherine Pendrel, Catherine Vipond

Happiest of them all was Sandra Walter who was the 2nd woman to cross the line, trailing only the Canadian national mountain bike champion Catherine Pendrel. Sandra’s race started slowly, with her in seventh place at the one quarter mark, but she persevered and pasted all the other women except Catherine. Unfortunately one of those ladies was Local Ride’s Jean Ann McKirdy who had a rough day flatting twice. But in Jean Anniean fashion she fixed them both (even after losing her second CO2 cartridge on the trail), and rode the rest of the race with fellow Local Rider Paul Craig.

On the men’s side of the race, Local Ride’s top finisher was Steve Devantier followed closely by Ryan Newsome (less than one second behind). The pair fell short of the elusive sub 3 hour mark by 4 minutes, but were happy with their efforts. The post race conclusion from Steve was “I just have to ride a little bit faster on every part of the course, no problem….” We shall see what happens next year, can a Local Rider go sub-3?

Wrapping up the brick and blue’s efforts were Jeanine Ball and Sue Weston. In a show of gritty toughness Jeanine took a minute off her personal best time even after crashing hard half way through the race. A quick trip to the hospital to get the “flesh wound” cleaned up, plus a buffalo burger with yam fries and Jeanine looked ready to ride another 4 hours. Sue, competing in her 17th straight Test of Metal, came across the line with her normal ear to ear grin.

Finally a big thanks goes out to Marie and Hector for feeding. A 3 to 5 hour race would be much more difficult without an energy drink and some food. Their efforts were key to everyone’s success, so thank you.

Local Ride Results

Local Ride Racing is Proudly Sponsored by:

It’s been a busy month for Local Ride; at the Shop with repair bikes coming in and new bikes going out, and for the Race team with riders traveling all over the country to compete. With all that’s been going on, finding time to update the website has been a challenge, but you know what they say…. “Why do today what you can do tomorrow?” Why? Because the people want to know what’s going on.

The Shop

In the words of shop staffer Mike Berkenpas “it’s been crazy.” Bike riding season is here and the staff at Local Ride have noticed. That’s the great thing about this shop, no matter how busy we are we will always find time to meet your cycling needs. From flat repairs, hub rebuilds, fork overhauls and wheel builds Local Ride Bike shop can help, usually with same day service. Just swing on by the shop to get your shifting smoothed out, that creaky bottom bracket fixed or tires topped up, (air is still free). While you’re here, check out these great deals and new products.

Feature Product Giant XC Glove A light weight breathable full fingered glove ideal for XC racing

Shoe Sale! Who doesn’t love a good shoe sale? Well this is definitely one to check out. We’re offering 40% off all of our remaining Specialized shoes and 40% off in-stock Shimano road shoes.

Clothing Sale! Check out our wide selection of sale clothing! We have a super sale rack with some great deals, including GORE Bike Wear at 30% off, Sugoi 50% off, Specialized 50% off, Fox 70% off, Sombrio 70% off, and Sierra Designs 70% off.

The Team

Canada Cup #1, Baie Saint Paul Podium

For Local Ride Racing (LRR) the racers that rack up the most air miles are without question Sandra and Jean Ann. Earlier this month Sandra was in Europe and now they are both off racing the first 2 Canada Cups in Ontario and Quebec. The ladies represented Local Ride (and their other sponsors – Xprezo, Nature’s Sunshine, Kicking Horse Coffee and more) on the podium at both races with a 3rd and 6th for Sandra and a 4th and 5th for Jean Ann. Check out their blog for all the stories from their adventures. You’ll get a laugh from Jean Ann trying to pick up a car. Plus watch their interview on Cycling Dirt below.

Meanwhile back on the West Coast, the road team was once again competing south of the border in the small community of Enumclaw. Enumclaw is host to one of three big stage races in the Pacific Northwest which see top teams from Canada compete against their American rivals. Local Ride had 5 riders racing, Rich Machhien, Zach Young, Maggie Coles-Lyster, Rachel Canning and the teams newest recruit Julia Garnet. Julia comes to Local Ride care of Saskatchewan, and will be a great addition to the Women’s team that has been depleted by injury and traveling members. The high caliber of not only the racers but the race organizing and courses makes Enumclaw a fun but challenging race, and LRR was up for it. Maggie had a team best 1st place in the junior category, Rich pulled off a 3rd place on GC in Cat 3, and Rachel showed improving form with a 15th overall in the ½ women’s race.

Moving a little further west onto Vancouver Island, the mountain bikers were back in action at BC Cup #2. This race saw a couple of newbies toe the line, with Mike Berkenpas and Marie Devantier doing their first ever mountain bike race. Both had good results, with Mike placing 3rd in Senior men and Marie winning her beginner category. The more experienced MTB racers of Ryan Newsome, Steve Devantier and Jeanine Ball were not going to be showed up by a couple of first timers though. Both Steve and Jeanine won their categories, solidifying their leads in the BC Cup standings and Ryan finished just off the podium in 4th.

So as Local Ride’s season keeps rolling along with great new products, fast and fun Giant bicycles, friendly and prompt service, and an ever growing list of podium finishes, the staff and team want to invite you to drop by the bike shop and/or any upcoming races.

• May 29th – Sooke Classic Road Race
• May 30th – Junkyard Dog MTB Race
• June 6th – Westside Classic Road Race
• June 13th – Cardiac Classic MTB Race

The sun is out, the flowers are blooming and spring racing is well underway with Local Ride leading the charge. Early on, Rich Macchein was LR’s go to guy. He had strong performances with a couple of wins in the Spring Series and a 4th place in the challenging Walla Walla road race. Not to be shown up by Local Ride’s newest rider, Zach Young and Jean Ann McKirdy put on their racing shoes for the Team’s first 2 big events of the year; Barry’s Roubaix, and Race the Ridge.

This may be old news now, but the team can’t stop smiling about Jean Ann’s solo victory at Barry’s Roubaix. With the pack weakened by the insistent pace making of Sandra Walter, the competition had no response when Jean Ann attacked half way through the last lap and powered herself to the top step of the podium. She’d later prove that it was no fluke at the 8th edition of Race the Ridge.

Race the Ridge presented by Local Ride Bike Shop, is proud to be considered one of the toughest stage races in BC, and this year was no different with the Thornhill Road Race and the Golden Ears Time Trial on Day 1. These 2 challenging events paved the way for day 2 and the race’s premier event, the Downtown Core Criterium. In the heart of Maple Ridge the “crit” provides an exciting finale for the weekend that is great for spectators and fun for racers alike. Race the Ridge was a great success and the Team would like to thank the volunteers, racers, sponsors, spectators, and finally Barry Lyster for all his time and effort organizing the race.

Race the Ridge and the Cat ½ women – Jean Ann and Rachel Canning toed the line for the brick and blue. The road race saw all attempted breakaways covered and brought back by the strength of Total Restoration and Westwood Cannondale, setting up a sprint for the line. Jean Ann showed her improving ability to finish by snagging second place behind Might Rider Jenny Lehman. In the TT, former Local Rider and World Cup gold medalist Laura Brown powered to the victory, crushing the competition by over a minute. This meant the only chance for Jean Ann to win the overall was to lap the field in the crit, and she tried. With Rachel covering the early moves, Jean Ann rested until the perfect time to strike, attacking just after the first prime lap. She never looked back. By the end 3 riders had bridge. Jean Ann “the Animal” McKirdy proved to be smartest and strongest of the bunch by pouncing when the group hesitated on the back side of the course. She held on for the next 500 meters winning the crit in convincing fashion. Unfortunately the 20 bonus seconds were not enough as she finished 4 seconds off the podium in 6th position.

Race the Ridge and the Cat ¾ men – Local Ride had a strong 5 rider team including Rich, Zach, Ryan Newsome, Ryan Jeans and Brett Wakefield. Zach was a lucky rider in that he was a relative unknown in the field. Some untimely crashes and flat tires had prevented him from doing well in the early season, so with the pack concerned with other riders like Rich, Zach was able to sneak away with 3 person move on lap 1. That move quickly dwindle to 2 and the chasing pack never brought them back. Zach won the sprint against his breakaway companion Dave Stephens for his first ever road race win. A solid 6th place TT effort had Zach sitting second overall with a 2 minute cushion on 3rd. The Crit went smoothly, as Rich rode aggressively, and Ryan played the role of protector in the pack. Unfortunately Zach was unable to contest the sprint because of a flat in the last 5 laps. Thankfully stage race rules allowed him to finish with the same time as the pack, maintaining his 2nd overall.

Other Race the Ridge notables – Maggie Coles-Lyster dominated the U17 girls, winning all three stages and the overall. Pete Whalen enjoyed some real racing in the U17 boys category and finish 7th. Jeanine Ball rode to 5th place in the ¾ women while Mike Berkenpas finished 28th in the ½ men’s pack.

This past weekend Local Ride Racing was at it again at 2 different venues. Saturday was the first BC Cup mountain bike race of the season on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. The ferry trip was well worth it with for Local Ride as 4 riders grabbed 3 wins and a top ten. Jean Ann won the Elite women, Jeanine hit the top step in Master Women, Steve Devantier won the senior men and Ryan Newsome placed 7th in the ultra competitive master men category. All in all a fun and successful race. Sunday saw toe spiked mountain bike shoes switched to aero helmets and skinsuits for Escape Velocity’s Warp Speed Time Trial. The highlight of the race? That’s a tough one, Paul Craig pinning on a number is up there, but the tandem team of Mike and Rich takes the cake. Congrats to all the riders- Pete, Maggie, Rich, Mike, Rachel, Zach and Paul.

Upcoming Races

Campbell Heights BC Cup Road Race – May 16th
Enumclaw Stage Race – May 22-23rd
Pivot MTB BC Cup #2 – May 23rd
Sooke Classic Road Race – May 29th

Local Ride Racing is Proudly Sponsored by:

 click on their logos and check them out, they are all super cool!!

Roubaix Sunday brought uncharacteristic blue skies, but that did not make the racing any less challenging. Winds picked up in the afternoon, and the extended, bumpier course with an elite field of cat 1/2 racers ensured that the competition was tough. Aside from the competition on the bikes, there also appeared to be a bit of a competition going on, on the upper lip of many of the men at the start line. The complete Local Ride Race Team showed up with moustaches, but Jeff Ain shamed them all and gets props for the most-manly-Roubaix-moustache award.

The Cat 1/2 men’s field was 45 riders deep, and contained some big names and fast legs. Cody Campbell (Trek-Livestrong U23), the only rider to race the true Parris Roubaix cobbles was on the start line, as well as Olympian Zach Bell racing for Kelly Benefit Strategies. However, it was Trek Red Truck who showed up in the greatest strength and numbers, and ultimately dominated the race.

The men raced 12 laps, which was 120 km and included 40% gravel. An early attack from Nathan MacDonald, a U-23 rider on Team Trek Red Truck, resulted in him soloing off the front of the group and staying out for a large portion of the race. He was eventually brought back, and a series of breaks went, but were shut down by the chasing group. On the last lap the group fractured. Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck) attacked on the gravel section of the last lap and gained a gap, but with several small groups of chasers in hot pursuit. He managed to maintain his lead and win the race just ahead of the chasers. Curtis Deardon (Garneau Evolution) beat out Mike Sidic (Team H&R Block) for second, Jason Thompson (Garneau Evolution) took fourth, and Cuylar Conoly (Westwood Cycle/Cannondale) was fifth.

In the women’s Cat 1/2 race Local Ride Racing showed up with a strong contingent of riders, containing Jean Ann McKirdy, Sandra Walter and Rachel Canning. Westwood Cycle/Cannondale also had four riders on the line, including Kristine Brynjolfson and up-and-comer Jasmin Galesser.

The women contended 10 laps, which was 100km on the gravel and windy roads of Pitt Meadows. Sandra Walter took an early flier off of the front, but was brought back after a lap by efforts by Jasmin Galesser and Kristine Brynjolfson of Westwood Cycle/Cannondale. At the midpoint of the race a series of attacks caused the group to split and Claire Cameron (Mighty Riders), Kristine Brynjolfson (Westwood Cannondale), Jennifer Schultz (Fresh Air/ Balance Point Racing), Marie-Claude Gangnon (Glotman Simpson) and Jean Ann McKirdy (Local Ride Racing) broke away from the group, with Sandra Walter (Local Ride Racing) bridging up to join them. The group was split further, into a 3 person lead group, containing Cameron, Brynjolfson and McKirdy with three laps to go. On the last lap McKirdy soloed away from that group to take the win. Claire Cameron and Kristine Brynjolfson finished 2^nd and 3^rd respectively, with Jennifer Schultz taking the sprint behind. Sandra Walter rounded out the podium in 5^th.

The 80km, Cat 3/4 men’s race was dominated and won by Team Coastal. With 51 starters, the race was aggressive and stayed together to the end. Scott Inman of Team Coastal unleashed his sprint to take an exciting win. Jason Kilmartin (Balance Point Racing) was 2^nd, Keith Jones (Garneau Evolution) was 3^rd, Emil Marcetta was 4^th and Graham Laurie of Pheonix Velo rounded out the podium in 5^th.

In the Cat 3/4 women’s race Mighty Riders took the majority of the top places. A group of six raced together for the majority of the 60km race, splitting close to the finish. Jenny Lehmann of Mighty Riders took the win, Morgan Cabot was 2^nd and Stacey Hutton also of Mighty Riders finished 3^rd. Rounding out the podium was Jenelle Cassidy of Local Ride Racing in 4^th and Virginia Sellars Balance of Point Racing in 5^th.

The U-17 races were lead by Local Ride Racing’s Maggie Coles-Lyster and Pete Whalen, Both enjoyed special edition Barry’s Roubaix Gold Brew Root Beer on the podium.

A big thank you goes out to the volunteers and sponsors who helped make the race a success:

LOCAL RIDE BIKE SHOP

KICKING HORSE COFFEE

CYCLES LAMBERT

NATURE’S SUNSHINE

GOLDEN EARS PHISIOTHERAPY

TIFOSI EYEWEAR

TARAXCA JEWLERY

GIANT BICYCLES

MET HELMETS

THE CITY OF PITT MEADOWS

PITT MEADOWS REGIONAL AIRPORT

METRO VANCOUVER