April 9, 2004 – This year's event will feature Road Time Trials, Criterium, XC MTB races and the Sombrio Skills Challenge.

The success of last year's events is the talk of the biking community. This year there will be four events over the two day festival with riders from pro to beginners challenging our race courses. In partnership with the Ridge Riders Cycling Association, this event helps to enhance and create local cycling opportunities for the community. All of our events are sanctioned by Cycling BC where riders can gain valuable race points to help them progress in their sport.

On Saturday, April 17, there will be two road events. At 9:00 am there will be a time trial where riders will race the flats of Pitt Meadows for fastest course time. At 4:00 pm we would like to highlight our “Town Core Criterium” which will see road racers from professional to amateur challenge one of the best race courses found anywhere. We close the streets of downtown Maple Ridge where the riders will race a course around Memorial Park and adjoining streets. The Town Core Criterium is a great spectator and media event. Cash purse and many prizes are up for grabs.

Sunday, April 18 at 9:00 am will be the Mountain Bike Cross Country race. This race will be held in the Blue Mountain Woodlot north of McNutt road. The course will be a classic, old-style race where hill climbs, fast descents and technical trails will challenge the best riders. Cash purse and many prizes will be up for the taking.

Our finale will be at 1:30 pm at Maple Ridge Park. with the “Sombrio Skills Challenge.” A short, technical course with obstacle will be the challenge for the fastest time. A Dave Watson signed Sombrio jersey will be the prize for the fastest youth. The Sombrio Skills Challenge is a great spectator and media event.

Win a $1,200 Norco Charger, Keg dinners or a Crosstrails Adventures Pitt Lake Hot Spring tour. Tickets are available at Maple Ridge Cycle and at all Race The Ridge events. Proceeds go to support the development of local trails.

Event Schedule

* Saturday April 17 – 9 am to noon, Road Time Trial @ Silver Bridge, Harris Road * Saturday April 17 – 4 pm to 8 pm, Town Core Criterium @ Memorial Gardens * Sunday April 18 – 9 am to noon, Mountain Bike Cross @ Country Blue Mt., McNutt * Sunday April 18 – 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Sombrio Skills Challenge, Maple Ridge Park

With two weeks to go, there is still much work to be done. Event sponsors, volunteers and lots of spectators are needed to help make this one of the largest such festivals in BC. For event information and race registration go to www.racetheridge.com or call 604-467-8577.