October 23, 2013 (Maple Ridge, B.C.) – Local Ride Bike Shop is pleased to present its seventh annual Pumpkin Cross Halloween-themed cyclo-cross race in Maple Ridge this Sunday, October 27 at North Alouette Greenway Park.

“The reason people love Pumpkin Cross is the festively spooky vibe we create here at the North Alouette River Greenway in Maple Ridge,” said race organizer Barry Lyster, owner of Maple Ridge’s Local Ride Bike Shop. “Everyone gets in the Halloween spirit, with even most of the elite men dressing up. Racers look forward to this event all year, because they know they are guaranteed a good time.”

This fun, action-packed family cycling event, traditionally held on the last Sunday of October, is geared to all abilities and ages of cyclists with goal of having fun on two wheels and there’s still time to sign up. Pre-registration will be available until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25 online and in person. Racers will also be able to sign up day-of, but a $10 late fee will apply.

If riders still need more encouragement, Local Ride Bike Shop is offering two great ways for novices to gear up for the big day. On Tuesday, October 22, Local Ride Bike Shop is hosting a cyclo-cross clinic, followed by a short track race at the Ridge Meadows BMX Track in Pitt Meadows, the finale of the newly launched evening series. “The short track races have been awesome,” said Lyster. “The crew at the Ridge Meadows BMX Track have allowed us to put on a great weeknight event under the lights on a fun and challenging course that would get anyone addicted to cyclo-cross.” Results from last week’s round are available online on the Local Ride Bike Shop website www.localride.ca.

The second chance for cyclo-cross newbies to get primed for Pumpkin Cross is for women only. New for 2013, Pumpkin Cross is including a Beginner women’s cyclo-cross clinic, which will be held the day before the race at the venue at noon, Saturday, October 26. The clinic, led by experienced female cyclo-cross racers, the 2012 elite women’s B.C. Champion, Sandra Walter, and local cycling phenom Maggie Coles-Lyster, is included in the discounted race registration fee offered to beginner women’s category participants.

Lyster, an enthusiastic advocate for women’s cycling, admits he is shamelessly trying to recruit more women to the sport. “We had one of the largest beginner women’s fields at a cyclo-cross race in B.C. last year and our goal is to shatter that number this year.”

Pumpkin Cross, part of the Vancouver SuperPrestige Series presented by Shimano, is one of the coolest cycling events in the province, because of its Halloween theme that includes best costume prizes and creepy course décor. Plus, the event boasts a free kid’s race, a challenging and entertaining course, and a festival atmosphere complete with music, announcer, BBQ, and great draw prizes.

Thanks to the sponsors that helped make Pumpkin Cross happen this year: Local Ride Bike Shop, Kicking Horse Coffee, Golden Ears Physiotherapy, Cycles Lambert, Giant Bicycle Canada, Liv/giant Canada, Q Energy Drink, Partners in Health, Pedal Magazine, Superior Glass, Power 2 Max, Ramada Inn Pitt Meadows, Gran Fondo Canada, Cycling BC, District of Maple Ridge, Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre.

More info about Pumpkin Cross here.

More info about the Tuesday Night Clinics and Short Track races here.

Tuesday Night Cyclo-cross Short Track results available here.

More info about the Beginner Women’s Cyclo-cross clinic on October 26 here.

Register for Pumpkin Cross online until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25 here.