October 04, 2014 (Maple Ridge, BC) – Pumpkin Cross presented by Local Ride is coming back to Maple Ridge on Sunday, November 2, promising more bicycling fun than ever, with cyclocross competitions for all levels, family activities, costume contests, free kids race, and new Specialty Wheel Races, courtesy of the Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre.

Registration for the event is now open online here.

“Every year we’ve upped the fun level at Pumpkin Cross and we’re continuing that tradition in 2014,” said organizer Barry Lyster of Maple Ridge. “In addition to our feature cyclocross races, we’re adding a team element to the popular costume contest.”

Even though this year’s event is two days after Halloween, a large majority of riders is expected to don costumes for the race. As in past years, the costume contest is determined by votes from spectators and riders. The team costume competition will require teams to get creative with a group theme, plus push hard to the finish, because both their get-ups and results will count.

The Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre is also contributing to a new Specialty Wheel race event allowing even more individuals to join in the pedaling frenzy. The Specialty Wheel Races will see riders aboard adapted bikes and challenging themselves on unconventional terrain.

“The goal is to give everyone a taste of the fantastic sport of cyclocross and that’s exactly what the Specialty Wheel Races are allowing,” said Lyster. “Pumpkin Cross is a unique event. It brings together high-level racing, recreational cycling, and the bottom line is having a good time.”

Another way Lyster and his crew are making the zany cycling discipline more accessible is through a free Beginner Women’s Cyclocross Clinic on November 1, the day before Pumpkin Cross. The clinic will be held for a second year and is geared towards women who are keen to race, but would like to brush up their skills first. Elite racer and Liv Canada team athlete Sandra Walter will lead the course, accompanied by Local Ride Racing’s rising star Maggie Coles-Lyster.

Lyster is also putting on a grassroots drop-in Tuesday Night Short Track Cyclocross Series every Tuesday evening in October at the Ridge Meadows BMX Club in Pitt Meadows – the perfect way to prep for Pumpkin Cross and hone skills, tactics, and fitness. There will be a 20-minute Beginner race starting at 6:00 p.m., followed by the 30-minute Elite event at 6:30 p.m.

Pumpkin Cross 2014 is made possible thanks to its many generous supporters, including Local Ride, the Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre, Lambert, Giant Bicycles, Golden Ears Physiotherapy, Kicking Horse Coffee, Power 2 Max, MEC, Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre, District of Maple Ridge, Cycling BC.

More details about Pumpkin Cross and the Tuesday Night Short Track Cyclocross Series will be available at www.localride.ca.