January 27, 2014 – (Maple Ridge, BC) – Maple Ridge, BC bike shop owner Barry Lyster is pleased to announce that he will be shifting his focus to event organizing and discontinuing his retail venture, Local Ride Bike Shop, that has been a fixture in Downtown Maple Ridge since 2004.

“Although Local Ride will no longer have a retail presence, we will continue to showcase the community and the sport of cycling through our excellent cycling events, like Race the Ridge, Pumpkin, Cross, and Barry’s Roubaix,” said Local Ride owner Barry Lyster. “Plus, I will finally have the time to make some exciting new event ideas a reality.”

Lyster has organized popular and high quality cycling events for 16 years, including the BC Summer Games and Pumpkin Cross, which recently won the Pedal Magazine Award for Best Canadian Cycling Event of 2013. Lyster’s 12th annual Race the Ridge tied for second place in the Canada-wide reader’s choice contest.

Lyster has sold his retail venture, which will move to Pitt Meadows, BC and continue to provide Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with the same great service and high quality products that made the Local Ride name recognized across the country, under its new name, Pitt Meadows Cycle.

“We are confident new store owner Rob Laluk will carry on the tradition of excellence and passion for cycling that our loyal customers have enjoyed with us,” said Lyster.

The move will allow Lyster to increase his focus on fostering the sport in his hometown and the rest of the province, through coaching, a new role with sport governing body Cycling BC, and continued involvement in the Local Ride Racing team, along with event organizing. “That’s where my passion lies. That is what I really want to do,” said Lyster.

“I am also open and excited to explore new opportunities in the cycling industry,” he added.

Pitt Meadows Cycle will open for business starting on February 1 at 105-19141 Ford Road. Local Ride Bike Shop on Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge closed as of January 12.

“Thank you for supporting local business in our community and giving us nine fantastic years. I look forward to seeing everyone riding on our amazing roads and trails in future,” said Lyster.

To stay up-to-date on Local Ride’s happenings, please continue to check in at the website: <http://localride.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=cca19bc7bd0268673b2eceefd&id=148cad437f&e=2069e331bb>www.localride.ca.