Sunny spring-like conditions greeted the more than 250 riders to the 2017 edition of Pumpkin Cross on Sunday, October 29th.
In its 11th year, Pumpkin Cross has established itself not only as a competitive cyclocross race but as a Halloween-themed celebration of cycling.
This year’s event was again held at the North Alouette Greenway Park in Maple Ridge, BC. Unlike in previous years, the course took on a more European style design, utilizing a variety of terrain including the dykes, grassy field and for the first time a stretch of paved road on Park Lane. The crew from Giant Vancouver and Pitt Meadows Cycles did a great job helping to set up the course.
The Maple Ridge Dentistry for Kids Kid`s race saw 50+ enthusiastic, costume-clad young riders challenge a special course through the Night of the Liv-ing Dead Spooky Forest, with a few even riding a lap of the big course.
Since the inception of Pumpkin Cross, getting more women into the sport was a major goal. This year the event had 30 Novice Women, some racing cyclocross for the first time. Liv Giant Canada has been a huge supporter of this initiative.
Every year more and more riders dress in costume for the event, and this year saw a cast of characters turn up for the races. The winners of the prestigious Herschel Supply Co. costume contest were Marty the Martian aka Paul Newitt and Broccoli Boy aka Joe Craig.
As for the racing, the Elite Women’s winner was the savvy veteran herself, Wonder Woman Kelly Jones, while the Cookie Monster Ben Chaddock, crumbled his opponents with an earth-shattering attack on the last lap to win.
For full results please go to: www.localride.ca.
Pumpkin Cross would not be possible without the wonderful support from so many people. Special thanks go out to: Local Ride Racing, City of Maple Ridge, Maple Ridge Equestrian Centre, Residents of Park Lane, Liv / Giant Canada, Giant Vancouver, Pitt Meadow’s Cycles, Maple Ridge Dentistry for Kids, Herschel Supply Co., Born Sportscare, Power2Max, TaG Cycling, Cycling BC.
Source: Local Ride
