Novice riders at Maple Ridge's Pumpkin Cross will benefit from reduced insurance fees.

For the Local Ride Bike Shop's Pumpkin Cross cycling race, scheduled for Oct. 28, Giant Bicycle Canada and race organizer Barry Lyster will offer first-time women racers a discounted entry.

"It is great to have a company like Giant Canada that is eager not only to get involved with racing, but also willing to help support and grow youth and women's cycling," said Lyster.

Most novice and youth racers do not hold a race license that covers insurance, so they are required to buy a mandatory single-event license for each race on top of the race entry. This insurance fee can be as high as $30, which makes the cost too high for many riders wanting to try racing for the first time.

Giant Bicycle Canada's financial support has enabled Lyster to offer the single-event licensing fee at a reduced price of $10 for the senior category and $5 for the youth category.

In keeping with Lyster's on-going passion to get more women riding bikes, he is also inviting first-time women to race for an entry fee of only $10.

"Women are underrepresented in cycling and I want to change that," said Lyster. "Let's get more women out there experiencing the fun of riding a bike. I want Pumpkin Cross to have the largest beginner women's turnout in the province."

In the beginner categories, riders may use any type of bicycle they have, such as a mountain bike.

The race will take place at Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre/ North Alouette Greenway Park, located on Park Lane just off of 132nd Avenue in Maple Ridge.

Racers will be treated to a fabulous course, with some spooky technical twists, plenty of slimy, sloping grass, some screaming fast gravel, and wicked barriers.

For more information about Pumpkin Cross on Oct. 28, visit www.localride.ca.