June 26, 2009 (Maple Ridge, B.C.) – Local Ride Racing members Sandra Walter (Coquitlam) and Steve Devantier (Pitt Meadows) have teamed up with Pedal with their first mixed team entry to contest the BC Bike Race – a seven-day mountain bike stage race from North Vancouver to Whistler, B.C., June 28 to July 4.

“Ever since this race first started three years ago, I’ve been itching to do it,” said Walter, 29, an elite-level cross country mountain bike racer. “Everyone I talk to says it’s such a phenomenal experience, and I can’t wait to get a taste of some of best trails and scenery in the world.”

Devantier, 29, has completed the race twice in the open men’s category with team mate Barry Lyster, Local Ride Racing Team Manager and owner of Local Ride Bike Shop. This year, Lyster will be working behind the scenes, supporting the duo of Walter and Devantier: “Sandra [Walter] and Steve [Devantier] have the potential to win this race,” said Lyster, “and I want to do everything I can to help them reach their goal. I’m really looking forward to my supporting role.”

The BC Bike Race starts in North Vancouver on Sunday, July 28. Over the seven days, competitors will ride some of the best mountain biking terrain in the world, on the North Shore, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, in Squamish and Whistler. Stages range in distance from 30 to 70km per day and feature the tight, technical trails B.C. is famous for.

“I’m super excited about BC Bike Race this year,” said Devantier. “I think Sandra and I will make a great mixed team. We’ve ridden together a lot, which will really pay off out there on the trails.”

The race will see riders of all ages from all over the world participating, from Olympians to weekend warriors. BC Bike Race organizers are not looking to create the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world; instead, they’re creating a lasting experience for competitors. When you combine in one race the most spectacular scenery and vacation destinations in Canada with the most amazing singletrack trails in the world, you get an intoxicating mixture guaranteed to wow any mountain bike enthusiast.

There’s no doubt that multi-day stage races are tough. They challenge competitors to push beyond perceived personal limitations and to lean on each other when the going gets rough. It’s the innate human desire to challenge and overcome that’s been driving the rapid increase in popularity of epic mountain biking events in recent years. BC Bike Race is not looking to be the toughest race out there… just the best.

Follow Walter and Devantier’s BC Bike Race experience at www.localride.ca (click on BCBR link), www.3fastwomen.blogspot.com and at www.pedalmag.com (click on BC Bike Race icon).

For more information visit www.bcbikerace.com.