Got my Cinderella Registration Form!

[slinkedog]

Hey! I got my registration form in the mail today. Sent it back today. If I don't get in I'll be very sad!!

[bikerz]

Mine too! I'm off the the post office with it right now!

[slinkedog]

Woo hoo! Looking forward to watching you pass me. ;)

[Trek420]

I got mine! Now the wait begins are there plans for the pre-ride dinner?

[slinkedog]

I think the new term for "mailman" is "Letter Carrier."

Aren't you glad I'm here to bring clarity to these incredibly unimportant questions in life?:D

[slinkedog]

Pre-ride dinner? Yeah, there must be a pre-ride or a post-ride meal. Shall we do a Dublin locale, or someplace else?

[SadieKate]

Dita, if everyone is happy going to Fuzio's again. You could make the plans. They're only a phone call away.

[slinkedog]

Are you going to do the Cindy this year, SK?

[SadieKate]

No, leaving a precious spot open. Isn't that gracious of me? :D

[Bike Goddess]

I didn't get mine!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[slinkedog]

No, leaving a precious spot open. Isn't that gracious of me? :D

No. I'd rather have you there hollering at me on descents. But we'll do another one together so you can remind me about counter steering. :)

[Trek420]

Bike Goddess "I didn't get mine!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:"

BG, do you have a fax number? PM me your fax number and I'll fax one to you.

Fuzio's was fine, any other suggestions? We still need to settle on a date and time. I'd prefer the night before since most of you will be done, home, showered, bike cleaned and lubed by the time I get there. :)

[SadieKate]

hollering at me on descents. . . . :)Descents? The Cinderella has downhills? Where? :D

You just have to approach it with the right mindset.

[slinkedog]

It's that flat, eh? Well, I guess that makes the training easier.

:)

[carimail]

Grrrr! to my letter carrier. I haven't gotten my mail yet! I think I'll have my son distract her (like lay in fron of her truck) after she delivers it while I run in and fill it out and run it back to her. I could flatten her tire or say, "Look over there!" and steal her keys. I've been working too hard not to get in!!:mad: :mad: :mad: :(

[Trek420]

carimail "Grrrr! to my letter carrier. I haven't gotten my mail yet! I think I'll have my son distract her (like lay in fron of her truck) after she delivers it while I run in and fill it out and run it back to her. I could flatten her tire or say, "Look over there!" and steal her keys. I've been working too hard not to get in!!:mad: :mad: :mad: :("

or....you could ask a TE gal to fax you a copy because you can't ride if you're in a Federal prison :cool: ;) :rolleyes: so if you have a fax number PM me.

Spazzdog, bikelessinWI, ours is mailed

[Bike Goddess]

We can send faxed apps in? ARE you SURE???????

[carimail]

It's o.k., I didn't get caught! (Actually, I caught her a block away after a short search with my kids whining, "Mom, what are you doing?") Even if I had had to steal her keys, I'm sure San Quentin has some spin classes?:p

The form said duplications were o.k. So, those of you who were smart enough to copy it before you chased your letter carrier down could help some others. Sorry, I got too hyper. Thanks for the offer, though!:D

[mountainpuddles]

Now, I pray that there is sunshine for our training rides! I was wondering if any of the gals are going to stay in Dublin on Friday night? I am thinking of getting a hotel room for the evening, is there any good lodging nearby? Becky

[spazzdog]

Ask Trek420 what I was hollering at her last year in reference to the "it's a flat course... no hills at all" story she told me.

Of course I flew in from Boston last year, in the middle of winter, having not pedaled a stroke since the previous Sept. At least this year I have the possiblity of a little more saddle time :eek:

[Melody]

I haven't got mine yet. :( *sniff*

Mel

[Trek420]

Bike Goddess "We can send faxed apps in? ARE you SURE???????"

No you can't fax the app in silly, unless there's a way to fax a check that I don't know about ;) :cool: :rolleyes:

but I faxed a copy of the form to YOU BG, did you get it?

Mel, anyone else I'm off work Thursday but if you still don't have it then PM me a fax number.

[slinkedog]

Now, I pray that there is sunshine for our training rides! I was wondering if any of the gals are going to stay in Dublin on Friday night? I am thinking of getting a hotel room for the evening, is there any good lodging nearby? Becky

I think Blaine is going to drop me and my bike off and then pick me up at the end. He and the kids will go to my sister's in Tracy. If we do that and we have enough room, we'd be happy to take you along, as well!

[jobob]

Many questions be answered here:

http://www.valleyspokesmen.org/cinder.html

:cool:

[Melody]

Mel, anyone else I'm off work Thursday but if you still don't have it then PM me a fax number.

Trek, PM with fax number sent. :D Thanks! :)

Mel

[Stesseract]

I just started riding and have signed up for the Cinderella Ride, based mainly on all of your enthusiasm! (Plus, it seems like a good first big ride...). I'm planning on meeting my mom & best friend up there to all ride together (at least until they speed off into the sunset)...

Does anyone know if folks from the LA area are driving up there? I'd like to carpool if possible.

Thanks!

[BikeMomma]

BG, do you have a fax number? PM me your fax number and I'll fax one to you.
I haven't gotten mine either....Trek (or anyone with a blank form) - can I ask a big favor to do the same for me? Pleeezzze?? :o

[Bike Goddess]

Bike Momma and anyone else- send me a fax number and I'll send you an app. It's okay to duplicate apps which is what I really asked TREK!

You'll need to do this BEFORE 5:30PM today or any day for that matter!

I got mine yesterday and sent it in today. Maybe yours will come in the mail today!:) :) :) :) :)

[Veronica]

BG I thought you were considering the Solvang Double. Aren't they the same day?

V.

[slinkedog]

You know, the whole process of registering for this ride seems weird to me. They make you get on a list with your mailing address and then send out the forms. Not everyone gets the forms at the same time, so it makes it a little unfair to those who get theirs later. However, they allow duplicated copies of the form to be used, so it doesn't really matter if you're on the mailing list or not or when yours gets sent out as long as you know someone on the list who got theirs and can make you a copy.

I really don't understand why they don't let you register online. I'm sure they have a good reason, but this process seems really cumbersome and not very fair. Maybe I'm just not seeing things straight. Does this seem strange to anyone else?

[SadieKate]

Couldn't agree with you more, Slinke. I just made an emergency run to the PO for Marty. Hopefully, someone will look at for her down there.

[Melody]

Bike Momma and anyone else- send me a fax number and I'll send you an app. It's okay to duplicate apps which is what I really asked TREK!

You'll need to do this BEFORE 5:30PM today or any day for that matter!

I got mine yesterday and sent it in today. Maybe yours will come in the mail today!:) :) :) :) :)

BG, fax number PM to you. Thanks :)

Mel

[BikeMomma]

Bike Momma and anyone else- send me a fax number and I'll send you an app.
You'll need to do this BEFORE 5:30PM today or any day for that matter!
Just PM'd you with my fax #, BG. Thanks again!
-BikeMomma

[Trek420]

Stesseract

"I just started riding and have signed up for the Cinderella Ride, based mainly on all of your enthusiasm!"

us? enthusiastic? nah ;-)

"Does anyone know if folks from the LA area are driving up there? I'd like to carpool if possible."

I'm sure you may find some here, also welcome to TE and when you get a chance surf on over to the "Getting to Know You" thread.

Slinkdog I agree the registration process is not the best, and when it comes to the day-of it's still not good although was smoother last year than in '04.

Still they need to have sign in the night before the ride to speed the process or let me register with a last name that begins with the letter "Q". Frustrating but then once I get on the road...a nice ride.

[Melody]

BG, Trek, thank you for faxing me the form. :) I filled it out, wrote out a check, ran down to the post office and mailed it priority w/ delivery confirmation. ;) Have I mentioned I'm paranoid sometimes? :o But, it's all done. :) Hopefully I'll get in. :)

I just only got home. After leaving the post office had to go pick up the husband and meet up with a group of friends to see a movie (Hoodwinked) which turned out to be a great movie. I think I laughed through over half of it. :) If anyone here is a Foamy there's a squirrel in the movie that is _just_ like pillsy from Foamy. :) Best thing about the movie is that the humor is just funny not anything racy at all :)

Mel

[cindysue]

You know, the whole process of registering for this ride seems weird to me. They make you get on a list with your mailing address and then send out the forms. Not everyone gets the forms at the same time, so it makes it a little unfair to those who get theirs later. However, they allow duplicated copies of the form to be used, so it doesn't really matter if you're on the mailing list or not or when yours gets sent out as long as you know someone on the list who got theirs and can make you a copy.

I really don't understand why they don't let you register online. I'm sure they have a good reason, but this process seems really cumbersome and not very fair. Maybe I'm just not seeing things straight. Does this seem strange to anyone else?

will try to get an answer for you..........

[slinkedog]

You can do that? Wow!! :) Thanks!

[carimail]

Does anyone know how or when we'll know if we got in? I feel like I'm applying for college! (Please let me get in - I'll be well-behaved, I swear!)

[Trek420]

first positive sign would be it they cash your check :p now TE all rushes off to online banking...

[tprevost]

Clearly this is way after the fact, but thought I'd ask for next year... how do they handle the Cinderella entries now? This ride was my first metric about 10-11 years ago and WAY back then you just signed up and showed up! Once I get back in the saddle I'm thinking I may run up there for some of the rides... you all are making me homesick!!! :o

Thanks,

Tracy

[Bike Goddess]

tprevost- It might not be too late for this year! Just go to the Valley Spokesmen website on Google and look for Cinderella ride. You'll find it easily!

Re ONLINE registration- To do registration online requires that you set up a pay pal account. Then PayPal gets paid so much for each registration. Someone has to handle the money part, etc.

The Cinderella ride is run by a very few volunteers. The two people that are in charge have done it for years. My suspicion is they don't want to incur the extra costs and time for them to manage the influx.

Remember, for the money, this is a great deal! The money raised goes to local charities for women, another reason to participate!

I kinda like the idea of sending in a check. Old fashioned way of doing things.

[SadieKate]

My suspicion is they don't want to incur the extra costs and time for them to manage the influx..I would think that using online registration would save them oodles and oodles and oodles of time. After all, each rider enters her info and through the magic of computers you get a list of riders. The amount of information which must be manually entered for both personal data and financial transaction must be overwhelming. No way the current system saves them time. Plus, through Active, the rider pays extra. Not sure if the club incurs any costs beyond maybe the original listing. Anyone know?

tprevost, the Cinderella ain't like the old days. I first rode in 1987 with about 800 women and a whole lot less development and traffic. Something like 2400now and traffic up the ying-yang.

To enter this year, you probably need to get someone to fax the entry to you and get the form off immediately. Reg can fill up in just a couple days. The post office has not seen fit to deliver my application, otherwise I would.

Editing to say that I don't wish to blame the post office as they probably don't have an application to deliver. Through the magic of manually collecting mailing addresses, the club probably misentered my address.

[jobob]

Here is the the Cinderella website. All sorts of questions are answered here.

http://www.valleyspokesmen.org/cinder.html

I'm really on the fence about participating this year. It's such a zoo. But I sent in my reg and my check anyhow, I'll make up my mind as it draws nearer.

Oh, and SK, they're up to 2500 entries this year.

I wish they could have the option for sign-in the night before, the way so many rides do - even that "poorly organized" Tierra Bella has that.

[jobob]

Editing to say that I don't wish to blame the post office as they probably don't have an application to deliver. Through the magic of manually collecting mailing addresses, the club probably misentered my address. Ah, those lovely old-fashioned ways :)

[Trek420]

tprevost, I'm sure someone here can fax you a reg form. And even if you don't go we'd love to see you out on the training rides. Possibly almost as much fun! :)

[tprevost]

Unfortunately, I can't ride it this year as I won't have enough time to train. I broke my arm right above the wrist on 1/9 and as of this time, the doc still hasn't ruled out surgery (which would start my 6 week cast time all over). I can't tell you how bummed I am that I can't get out and ride; especially since I've recently got the 'bug' again. I am going to plan on doing at least a couple of rides up there (NorCal) this year just because many of them I've done before and they are familiar - although I imagine that a ride in mid April is about as early as I can expect to be ready. I look forward to running into you ladies at one of the rides... probably at the reg desk as I'm pretty pokey!! :o

Thank you for the info - I'm going to save the website so I'm on top of it for next year!!!

Tracy

[Melody]

Since I'm sure everyone has a computer (how else would you post?), here is a copy of the fax that was sent to me of the Cinderella registration. :)

http://melodybliss.org/cycling/cinderella2006.tif

Let me know if anyone has problems with it. I should have thought of this earlier but unfortunately didn't.

Mel

[cindysue]

no answer yet regarding slinkedog's earlier question. I will post as soon as I hear something......

as for registration, you are cutting it very close mailing it in now. I mailed mine in on Wednesday and I thought that was iffy. They sent out over 4000 forms and I'd assume most people received their form by Wed/Thu and have sent it back. Of course, you can't win by not trying, right? Worse thing that happens is you get your check returned....

Keep your eye on the website to see if they post that the ride has filled. I'll also let you know if I hear anything.

[cindysue]

ooohhh ooohh, I anticipate a green card coming my way :D

[carimail]

Mine, too! Now it CAN'T rain on Saturday - I have to train - it's really real, now.
Got my hotel room, too! :D :) :D :)

[Melody]

Mine three. :D I was worried enough it was driving the DH nuts. As I've said before I'm paranoid and a worry wart. :eek: :D

Mel

[slinkedog]

Me too!! :) Woo hoo! :)

[BikeMomma]

Count me in, too. Check cleared today! Yippee Skippee!:D

[cindysue]

Not sure if this answers Shannon's question but I think it helps:

Those persons that missed the cut-off for last years Cinderella were given priority - i.e., forms were mailed a day early.

Delays due to the USPS are unfortunate but,

---Not everyone has access or uses a computer. [I will interject here to say we call this the digital divide between the haves and the have nots or the technologically challenged (e.g., your granny) - so bravo to VS!]

---It's more expensive to go through a company to handle online registration and may require a three to five year contract with their service.

---The executive board made the decision to do things this way

--- And the secretary really likes the personalization of mail. She gets notes from riders of previous years and also enjoys seeing all the mail come in day after day. [I'm convinced!]

[slinkedog]

Thanks for doing the research, Cindy! I guess if it works for them, it's their party and they can do it any way they want to!! :

[SadieKate]

--- And the secretary really likes the personalization of mail. She gets notes from riders of previous years and also enjoys seeing all the mail come in day after day. [I'm convinced!]If anybody sees her, tell her that NOT receiving an application reduces my enjoyment. This year, it didn't matter but I can't say this for the future. I even had an email from them confirming that they received my request to be added to the list.

Just my grumbles for the day. It's Friday, right?

[jobob]

I suppose like anything else, there's no way to please everyone.

I often forget that there are people out there who don't use computers :o I'm so accustomed to paying my bills and corresponding online (which of course has its own plusses and minuses).

I have a very low opinion of using the mail to send out time-sensitive flyers like this one, though. There's a street a few blocks away from me that has the same last 3 letters in its name as my street. I cannot tell you how many times I have mail delivered to me addressed to the house w. the same street number as mine but on that other street. Sometimes it's very important looking mail, too - and I can only assume that the same thing happens with my mail. The hysterical thing is, the person who lives at the other address works for the US Postal Service - some of the mis-directed mail I get are the glossy magazines for the Postal Workers Union. Let us reflect on that irony for a moment :rolleyes:

It's too bad this ride has gotten so big - it's wonderful that women's cycling is so popular around here, but it seems the Cinderella could become a victim of its own success ....

- Jo.

[Bike Goddess]

It's too bad this ride has gotten so big - it's wonderful that women's cycling is so popular around here, but it seems the Cinderella could become a victim of its own success ....

- Jo.

We may not see many more Cinderella rides as development has made if quite difficult to get permits, etc. I say ride each year you can and be glad that you did!

Not surprised at what Cindy Sue found out as that was pretty much what I was saying about online registration (I have an inside source).:( :( :( :(

[snapdragen]

I'm pretty sure this will be the last year I ride Cinderella. Besides the rumors of it ending, I'm just tired of the whole luddite attitude the sponsoring club has. It's not that great a ride to be worth the hassles.

No on line registration

No night before registration pickup (I'm so looking forward to spending 45 minutes to an hour waiting to check in.) :rolleyes:

[Bike Goddess]

No night before registration pickup (I'm so looking forward to spending 45 minutes to an hour waiting to check in.)

Night before registration may have something to do with the facility they are using - you need access to get in, etc.

I agree- it would be nice if the day of the ride were easier. I think Valley Spokesmen has a hard time with getting enough volunteers to work on this ride. AND the people that put it together have some DEFINITE ways of doing things THEIR way:( :( :( :( :( (this comes directly from an inside source).

[SadieKate]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. A bike shop would probably be happy to host night before reg. It gets customers and money in the door.

You don't need an inside source to know that all bike clubs have unique personalities, quirks, oddities, etc.

Back in the 80s and early 90s, we all had to stand in line while some guy looked over our bike and gave it a "safety check" and put a dot on the stem. Talk about lines! I wanted to tell the guy, thanks, but I can probably tune it better than you can. It was kind of a 2-way street -- trying to take care of the wimmen but also demeaning because it implied that only men could wrench.

Snap, you supply the martinis and I'll help smash those looms!

[slinkedog]

Mmmmmmmmmm, martinis. :)

[Trek420]

"slinkedog Mmmmmmmmmm, martinis. :)"

Ok, do we surf over to the next thread which is: when and where and how many reservations for our *2nd* anual pre-Cindy carb-martini load feast? :) :D :p :cool:

[snapdragen]

Has someone started a dinner thread?

[Duck on Wheels]

OK, Sis (Trek420). Saw this thread today. Now I'm really getting nervous. :eek: :eek: Doing the Cindy has been hypothetical up to now, but here you are talking about night before dinner and martinis. Did you sign me up too? Is the check cashed? Do I have to drink a martini? (Yuck!) So far I've only been doing imaginary hills at spin class. I think I've been doing bigger ones in my imagination than what the flywheel's been doing in terms of resistance. Oh dear.:eek: Hope the weather's OK next week so I can test myself on Jack London Rd. See ya soon. What day(s) are you off? And what's the weather forecast?

[jobob]

No worries bikeless, you can drink whatever you want !

But don't poo-poo martinis en toto until you've tried a Lemon Drop, the Unofficial Beverage of the Cinderella Classic, named either in honor of Lemon Drop Hill, the hill at which the designated Prince Charming hands out lemon drop candies to those who survive the arduous (um, not really) climb, or, in honor of our own snapdragen, or, to be more precise, in honor of what happens to our own snapdragen after she's consumed mass quantities of said beverage.

- jo "queen of the run-on sentence" bob

[snapdragen]

:D **Brat**:D


No worries bikeless, you can drink whatever you want !

But don't poo-poo martinis en toto until you've tried a Lemon Drop, the Unofficial Beverage of the Cinderella Classic, named either in honor of Lemon Drop Hill, the hill at which the designated Prince Charming hands out lemon drop candies to those who survive the arduous (um, not really) climb, or, in honor of our own snapdragen, or, to be more precise, in honor of what happens to our own snapdragen after she's consumed mass quantities of said beverage.

- jo "queen of the run-on sentence" bob

[Trek420]

snapdragen "Has someone started a dinner thread?"

not yet. :cool: thought this whole board is a dinner thread. :p

Sorry for the cornfusion I will cause by referring to a post below this one but I thought that "jodrop" and "lemondrop" *both* refer to rides where I can't keep up with either one of you?

[jobob]

Well they could just as easily call it the Jo Drop but somehow that just doesn't sound right :rolleyes:

Tell you what, from here on out we'll re-christen the chocolate martini at the Cheesecake Factory the Jo Drop. Better? :D

[cindysue]

No worries bikeless, you can drink whatever you want !

But don't poo-poo martinis en toto until you've tried a Lemon Drop, the Unofficial Beverage of the Cinderella Classic

they're very sweet, not at all like the james bond martini you might be thinking of ......

[jobob]

They're made with vodka, not (ick) gin.

[BikeMomma]

I'm gonna have to try one this year. Last year, I was Miss Goody-two-shoes and poopoo'd the alcohol. But you guys are making it sound yummy!

[BikerDar]

I'm pretty sure this will be the last year I ride Cinderella. Besides the rumors of it ending, I'm just tired of the whole luddite attitude the sponsoring club has. (I'm so looking forward to spending 45 minutes to an hour waiting to check in.) :rolleyes:

It used to be that you could register day of for the Cinder, but it got so popular the club had trouble with the cities involved, because there would end up being more riders than they had predicted and permitted for.

Not sure what you mean by the 'luddite' crack. The club makes no money on this ride, they put it on to encourage women riders. They don't have the funds to become more technological, and for just one ride a year, why put out the money. The ride originally started because female club members felt like they got the short end of the stick because they'd end up doing all the work while the men road. Thus the woman only Cinderella was born.

Not sure what time you're arriving that you end up waiting 45 minutes, unless you're getting there when the gates first open. Go a little bit later and there isn't as much, if any, wait.

It's one of the best supported rides you will find, and they have kept the fee the same for many years. This can't be said for a lot of the other rides that other clubs put on. If you don't want to do the ride, don't. There are plenty more who'd be happy to have your space.

[snapdragen]

I've arrived early and I've arrived late - alway there is a wait to check in. I can't agree about being the best supported ride either, but we are entitled to our opinions. I've done many others that are/were much better. And yes, I'm aware of how the ride originated. But it has evolved, whether the club wants to admit it or not. It's no longer 1976 - time to move into 2006, that includes the fee if necessary. The Tierra Bella is only $10 more, with online registration, night before check-in, and a much better supported ride too.

Main Entry: Ludd·ite
Pronunciation: 'l&-"dIt
Function: noun
Etymology: perhaps from Ned Ludd, 18th century Leicestershire workman who destroyed machinery
: one of a group of early 19th century English workmen destroying laborsaving machinery as a protest; broadly : one who is opposed to especially technological change




It used to be that you could register day of for the Cinder, but it got so popular the club had trouble with the cities involved, because there would end up being more riders than they had predicted and permitted for.

Not sure what you mean by the 'luddite' crack. The club makes no money on this ride, they put it on to encourage women riders. They don't have the funds to become more technological, and for just one ride a year, why put out the money. The ride originally started because female club members felt like they got the short end of the stick because they'd end up doing all the work while the men road. Thus the woman only Cinderella was born.

Not sure what time you're arriving that you end up waiting 45 minutes, unless you're getting there when the gates first open. Go a little bit later and there isn't as much, if any, wait.

It's one of the best supported rides you will find, and they have kept the fee the same for many years. This can't be said for a lot of the other rides that other clubs put on. If you don't want to do the ride, don't. There are plenty more who'd be happy to have your space.

[Duck on Wheels]

They're made with vodka, not (ick) gin.

Aha! Now THAT makes a big difference. :D In fact, I may have had one of those at the Ferry Building last Fall. Unfortunately, as designated driver, I had to have it "virgin" but even as expensive lemonade with chopped mint in a martini glass it was very nice, and I could imagine it powered up with a shot of vodka. So, yeah! I'll keep that in mind as a motivation to finish and deserve to celebrate. :D:p :rolleyes:

[jobob]

post deleted.

[BikerDar]

I generally arrive in the last half hour of check in and there has not been a wait for any letter of the alphabet.


ps....I don't need help with definitions thanks very much.

[BikeMomma]

If your last name begins with a P you end up waiting closer to an hour.

That happened to me for the last two years running.
Jo - You need to misspell your last name by only just the first letter (I suggest with an "N") :D :D I'll let you have cut-sies! :p
(this thread is getting WAY too serious....)

[snapdragen]

Jo - You need to misspell your last name by only just the first letter (I suggest with an "N") :D :D I'll let you have cut-sies! :p
(this thread is getting WAY too serious....)

Or wait until it's close to the cutoff time and ride with all the newbies :eek:

So kids, do you suppose a Snap can get a Lemon Drop at Camp Parks?:D Or maybe Fuzio's would love a sweaty bicycle girl at the bar......:rolleyes:

[cindysue]

Not sure what time you're arriving that you end up waiting 45 minutes, unless you're getting there when the gates first open. Go a little bit later and there isn't as much, if any, wait.

Hey Dar, I've had to wait in line even when getting there after 8am. Last name Mc. Will miss you on Sat. but I'll see ya next week!

P.S. this is a great forum. Hope to see you continue to post. And they still let me back in even when I manage to piss somebody off :p :p :p which may be often... :D :D :D :D

[snapdragen]

Hey Dar, I've had to wait in line even when getting there after 8am. Last name Mc. Will miss you on Sat. but I'll see ya next week!

P.S. this is a great forum. Hope to see you continue to post. And they still let me back in even when I manage to piss somebody off :p :p :p which may be often... :D :D :D :D

Nah, you're ok people cindysue - if you really pissed us off, we'd hunt you down and steal all your Luna bars...:D :D

[bikerz]

I wonder what the "Z" line will be like....

[SadieKate]

Don't think you'll catch many zzzzzz's in it!

[bikerz]

Hah! (SK - I guess that's payback for yesterday's duck pun, huh?)

It's a bit of a risk being a "Z" - sometimes they just lump the whole end of the alphabet together, and it can be worse than the middle-letter lines.

[Melody]

Hah! (SK - I guess that's payback for yesterday's duck pun, huh?)

It's a bit of a risk being a "Z" - sometimes they just lump the whole end of the alphabet together, and it can be worse than the middle-letter lines.

bikerz, don't I know it. My maiden name is Yoon and I was *always* at the end of the list, line, or whatever I was in. Now that I'm a Bliss it feels sooooooo weird being at the beginning. heh :)

Mel

[Trek420]

bikerz "It's a bit of a risk being a "Z" - sometimes they just lump the whole end of the alphabet together, and it can be worse than the middle-letter lines."

that's why if I do the Cindy again I'm registering as Trek420 Quiglesswibbbly.

Q line was short.

[SadieKate]

I generally arrive in the last half hour of check in and there has not been a wait for any letter of the alphabet.BikerDar, I do this also only because I have such a long way to drive. Then, I have to put my life on the line, literally, to get around the hordes of slower, inexperienced riders this event attracts. I had a pick-up truck swerve intentionally because I was trying to get around the 3 and 4 abreast tea parties that stroll along chatting away, not a care in the world about traffic or other riders. While other centuries have this same problem, they don't have it to the extent the Cinderella does. Night before packet pick-up would solve a lot of this. Much smaller events do it very successfully.

[carimail]

Well, I thought about leaving my house in Morgan Hill at 3 A.M. on my bike to get there early, you know, to avoid having to park and everything.

HA HA! Just kidding!- Starbucks doesn't even open until 4:30!:eek:

Really, though, is parking a problem?

[BikerDar]

That's a really valid point, but my take is just the opposite and maybe the minority, but I'm used to that.. One of the main reasons we start late...aside from hating to wait in line, is because we like to be the ones passing, instead of worrying about the riders who don't call out as they are going by. I have a big mouth (no surprise) and I'm very verbal about warning riders I'm coming up on them, so they know I'm there, and it really has helped avoid many possible collisions. It gives me an element of control that helps me feel safe.

[SadieKate]

I'm laughing because I'm the one who has been vocal about these chatting rolling tea parties. I know you don't know me, but I don't think anyone is going to accuse me of being shy (Veronica and yellow, you can stop snickering).

62 miles of repeatedly shouting on your left 3 and 4 times to the each group is very stressful and dangerous. The faster rider is the one who has to swerve out into traffic to get around them. Funny how the rules say "single file" but so many seem to think it doesn't apply to them. I'm the one who had a pickup truck intentionally swerve at her as I tried to pass one of these many group obstacles.

The organizers could do things to lessen the horde problems at registration and increase the safety of the riders on the route, but it would involve technology. I don't think anyone would complain about an extra few dollars to help pay for that. I've done this ride several times over 19 years and have not seen any significant change to adapt to the growth other than the starting location. Sooner or later, they will be forced to make further changes. I just hope it doesn't come only after the cost of someone's life.

[aka_kim]

Other than alleviating some problems at registration, how would technology improve things? I think the Cinderella, like many Bay Area rides, has just gotten too popular for its own good in recent years. Having only the one course on Cinderella, yet 2000+ riders, also makes the ride seem more crowded than other events, which often have multiple route options. Then of course Cinderella does specifically attract and invite new riders. But it is nice to see how much women's cycling has taken off over the decade or so that I've been riding.

I'm not doing the ride this year, but I think the Valley Spokesmen do a great job, and a great "service" to the cycling community, in continuing to put the ride on.

[SadieKate]

Online registration would allow spaced out starts. There are rides that are now giving timed starting slots to space people out. On line registration would allow you to sign up for a time and then someone just has to enforce the start. Runs have been doing this for years. Usually this is not too critical but, I agree, the 2,400 women all on one course in a highly urbanized setting is really a problem. They have a unique problem due to this.

Technology isn't involved with night before registration, but it would help alleviate the crowds that get bunched up at the start and maybe the huge lines at the rest stops. Somebody creative could come up with a way to get your "boarding pass" online the night before and anything to be picked up (like a patch) could be collected at the end of a ride (the way it used to be done at rides).

Support is for the most part pretty good but I think they really need to put a few course marshalls out at some of the high traffic intersections. Safety for the cyclists as well as goodwill with the community. I think that is why Party Pardee goes so well on those narrow roads.

Unfortunately, this is the only ride that I ever hear a significant volume of negative remarks (and from people not on this forum). It is really too bad.

[snapdragen]

It's very easy to stop the mailings from Active.com, tell them you don't want them. I use Active.com whenever possible, and do not receive any mailings.

[SadieKate]

Geez, BikerDar, this was comments on what I see as some unfortunate decisions made by the organizers that may sabotage the incredible efforts by the rest of the volunteers – notice that I differentiate between the decision-makers and the volunteers. If you’d read all the posts, you would know I am not coming. Also, that I am not slamming the ride itself. Just because a ride is popular doesn’t mean it is perfect now and for all eternity.

I think the club has done a tremendous job fostering women’s riding. The support on the route is incredible (except for course marshals at a few critical intersections). I have and still do encourage many women to participate. I also think the organizers need to get very creative and come up with solutions for problems that are created at this unique event. I haven’t ridden since 2004 but I remember the anger and frustration I saw on drivers’ faces at several points on the course and on the other bike path users when they funneled us onto one with a snaky-airport-line-like exit. I’m just musing on ways they could alleviate the traffic jams that are created in multiple places by what is essentially a mass start of 2,400 women, ways to reduce the frustration experienced by both the riders and the public.

BakerDar, calm down and quit taking these comments so personally. Do you attack everyone who looks for improvement? Survival is for the fittest and those who can adapt. I just think Cinderella is heading for an unhappy future because of the impact on the rest of the public and the particiapants need to take some responsibility for offering constructive suggestions, especially since it is a pipedream to get everyone to follow biking rules.

By the way, I use Active all the time and don’t get any emails to speak of. I can’t remember the last one. And costumes will show up at the Little Red Riding Hood.

[snapdragen]

And costumes will show up at the Little Red Riding Hood.

And just about any AIDs multi-day ride! Sadiekate did I ever tell you all about the guy that rode CAR7 in drag, complete with pumps. He had his cleats attached to the pumps!

[SadieKate]

Ow, I don't do heels anyless there is a large amount of money involved. ;)

[kkuff]

Guess I mailed too late; my reg check for Cinderella was returned.

If you know of anyone who got in, but can't ride, I would love to buy their entry from them! Please let me know...!!!

[Melody]

Guess I mailed too late; my reg check for Cinderella was returned.

If you know of anyone who got in, but can't ride, I would love to buy their entry from them! Please let me know...!!!

<As I continue to channel CorsairMac ;)>

Hi kkuff. :) Welcome to the forums. There's a thread in Open Topics called "Getting to know you". Drop on by and say hello. :)

Mel

[BikerDar]

Geez, BikerDar, this was comments on what I see as some unfortunate decisions made by the organizers that may sabotage the incredible efforts by the rest of the volunteers – notice that I differentiate between the decision-makers and the volunteers. If you’d read all the posts, you would know I am not coming. Also, that I am not slamming the ride itself. Just because a ride is popular doesn’t mean it is perfect now and for all eternity.


I don't mean to come across defensive or bit**y, I just seemed to be seeing more complaints than compliments about the ride, so I wanted to jump in.
I don't think there's any perfect ride. I'm new to this site so I don't know anybody accept Cindysue. I have no idea where any other posters are coming from with their posts, so it's hard to tell constructive criticism from plain old whining and complaining, especially as I'm just skimming and maybe not catching all the little words.

happy riding