Yes, I can vouch for Cindy's good soul! She's great! <sigh> Have fun tonight!!!!
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Yes, I can vouch for Cindy's good soul! She's great! <sigh> Have fun tonight!!!!
Yup, I'm on my Blackberry. Yeah, i am soooooooooo a geek :)
Mel
good dinner, great meeting all you gals. the weather was near perfect.
how was everyone's Cindy?
I had a swell time, fell over once (getting started at a light that was uphill. Note to self: practice unclipping right. you're right handed, why do you unclip left?) narry a scratch on myself or bike.
I felt faster than last year, I credit Spazzdog's gorp for that, not a healthy thing in it ;-)
so...let's hear eveyone's stories and .....where's the next ride?
This weekend was so fun! It was great meeting everyone, geez, y'all gotta know this, Nancy Lund is a classy lady! Spazz is a total riot - we must bring her out for every ride!
I am proud and amazed to annouce I finished the Cinderella. After the first pit stop I developed a stitch in my side. By the time I got to the lunch stop I figured that was it - I'm sagging. But I ate, and talked to AG and HillSlug, popped 3 vitamin I's and on my way I went. Decided Lemon Drop Hill should serve real Lemon Drops (welcome to the darkside jobob...) Was horribly disappointed to discover reststop 3 is no longer at the 1 room schoolhouse, complete with critters. Some generic nasty newly built school --- bah! I want my baby goats!!!!! Announced to some friends I was toast, I'm sagging. Marge looked at me and says "geez, it's all downhill from here, and it's only 16 miles" Yeah, tell that to my crotch..... Any way, revivied with Circus Animal Cookies - my true addiction, along with Oreos -- I made my way back to Camp Parks. WooHoo! My longest ride this year!!!! :cool:
I have my own bizzare celebration - I take myself to dinner at Applebees. :confused: :confused: OK, not the greatest, but it's become tradition. Sing along now TRADITION! :D
Dinner at Fuzio's was a blast. It was great to see my old friends Snap, AG, & Trek, and to meet Melody, Spazz, CindySue, HillSlug, ride4_urlife, BikeMomma, and Nancy L
The food was good, the conversation was animated and nonstop, Spazz and AG were a stitch - I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all. Oh, and I discovered that Lemon Drop martinis are absolutely wonderful (and I only had one, so there, harrumph :cool: )
Here's a group photo - missing from the photo are Melody, HillSlug, and ride4_urlife. Sorry about that! :o
http://tinypic.com/2k22hw
Starting from the left, there's Spazz, Trek, cindysue, BikeMomma, AG, Snap, & nancy lund.
As you can see, AG dusted off her tiara for the occasion. I brought the pink flower leis, which many of us took on the ride the next day, along with the adorable little glass slipper charms that Snap gave us. Nancy brought along a Gumps bag full of sample sizes of beauty creams and such that she passed around as a sort of a grab bag - that was fun - and some Gumps chocolates yuuuuummm.
Morning came waay too early. Here's me & Snap before we set out, too bad you can't see the lovely veils cascading from the back of our helmets. Next best things to tiaras.
http://tinypic.com/2k259x
Dusty was dolled up too, sporting the pink flower lei from the night before on her saddlebag along with the glass slipper charm.
http://tinypic.com/2k2620
The weather was pretty nearly perfect, cool with some sun. There were some windy stretches, and my friend Angie pretty much rode me into the ground in those parts, it was all I could do to hang on (wait for meeeeee !) - gah I hate headwinds :p
Many of us met up again at the end of the ride where we feasted on minestrone soup, bagels and cookies, and then headed off to the exhibitor booths. Team Estrogen provided all of the riders with water bottles with the TE logo on one side and the Cinderella 2005 logo on the other - a very nice momento!
Rivendell had a booth set up, displaying their new Glorious mixte, a Rambouillet & a custom (didn't see a Saluki, rats) so I chatted with Grant for a few moments, told him I spotted 3 Rambouillets and 1 Atlantis on the ride. He was pleased to see I was wearing my trusty WollyWarm jersey (perfect weather for it today) and he gave me 2 of their nice wide-mouth water bottles - early birthday present for Lee :) . Good thing I had that big ol' saddlebag since I had 3 waterbottles to schlep back to the hotel, along with my 2 TE bottles already in the cages.
That's all I can think of for the moment. I had a great time, many thanks to Snap & A"alpha dog"G for organizing the dinner, hope we can do it all again next year... if not sooner.
Oooohhh, guilty as charged....Quote:
I do not like talking on the cell when I'm with friends, in a restaurant, at the movies, etc.
P.S. I have some wierd news to share with you gals tonight - and need your advice!
Sorry, gals, for checking my messages in the restaurant & for taking that call afterwards....haven't learned proper phone etiquette yet, I guess. I rarely get calls, just make them when I need to. I mainly have it for emergencies.
I missed the weird news....darn.
Anyhoo...I had a blast last night and today. The Cinderella is so much fun!! Everyone's costumes and helmets were awesome, and the course was truly bee-utiful! Those awesome green hills! I kept looking around at two things - those hills and the gorgeous horses in the pastures (I'm a horse freak, too). There was a beautiful grey that was right along the fenceline that looked interested in the bicycles. I swear I almost stopped, but alas, just clucked to him, instead.
Jobob, the pics turned out great! Can you tell I had my mouth full at the time? hehe Just call me "chipmunk".
I only saw two of you during the ride, as I think I left later than everyone (about 8:45-ish...a morning person I am not), and got in about 2:30. Next year, I'm really going to try to leave earlier, to maybe avoid some of the congestion, which sorta slowed me down, along with all the stop lights/signs (grrrr). Once I hit the open road, I was peachy-happy. I found my ideal pace to be faster than most, it seemed, so maybe I could have benefitted from an earlier start? Hmmm, not sure. I found myself tiring of saying "on your left", though. There was a group of about four (from Las Vegas area, one of them said) that I seemed to match pace with, but I lost track of them at the first stop. I did see Spazz getting into a sag van at the last rest stop. Hope you're ok, Spazz. I stopped and almost spoke to get your attention to say hi, but you really looked like you just wanted to go, so I didn't bother you. Were there any others in the van? - couldn't see through the tinted windows. Hi (belated) if so! Sorry I missed y'all. And I saw HillSlug at the finish, but she was too far away to flag down (you looked good!). I looked for the rest of you, but either didn't recognize anyone, or just didn't see ya at all. Bummer.
I saw a few aftermaths of crashes, and one crash happened right in front of me. There was a girl with a "bride" sign and her mother was with her with a "mother of the bride" sign (you might have seen them also). Too cute! Apparently, though, the "bride" was I think trying to pull out of her pedal, lost her balance and fell hard on her hip or tailbone. Anyway, she was in pretty good pain, but after a minute or so, was able to get up and walk to the side of the road. I saw them up the road after the stop and Mom reported that she was doing much better ("sore in the morning"). Her bike seemed ok, just the chain came off the chainring, which I helped put right. Ah, love 'da chain grease! So all seems to have ended well. I and others were quite concerned for her at first. She was really hurting, and even said that she heard a pop sound when she landed (oooh not good). :eek:
Flicka (a.k.a. the new bike) was a dream....totally. Flew up the hills, or felt like I did. Awesome. Yesterday's "shake-out" ride to tweak the fit really helped. I felt as comfy at the end as I did when I started. The only thing about the ride is that the rear derailler shifter cables became loose with use (breaking-in blues), so my shifting was rather screwy sometimes.
And I have to rave about the downhill that came right before the lunch stop. Oh goodness - whoa that was fun! I hit 32.5mph along with a couple other gals in front of me. I commented to one that I'm comin' next year just to do that again!! Whoo-hooooooo. :p :p
The drive home was smooth as silk, just like the Starbucks I got at the drive-thru at the top of the hill in Livingston (it's conveniently right off the freeway). Couldn't pass that one up, now could I?? I rode hard for that venti nonfat Caffe Mocha! The great part was when I walked in the door when I got home and got mobbed by the kids. They missed me, and I surely did miss them (and my hubby, of course). He gets to hear me babble on (and on, and on) about it for the next week, then gets to hear the babble continue after the Tiera Bella. Lucky him! I think I might get him some earplugs to help him out, 'cause I'm not shutting up anytime soon. ha!
I truly had a great time these last couple days, and I'm already looking forward to next year!! Thanks to all of you for the part you played in my great time! :) :) :)
Hi Gang,
Can you tell us who is who in the pictures at the dinner table. Looks like a fun group. Maybe once the east coast contingent finally gets out together we'll send a pic.
oops, sorry, forgot to do that - I'll edit my post. - Jo.
BM, sorry we missed you on the ride! But I'm really happy to hear your new bike worked out well, sounds like you two were made for each other :)
During the ride this time I encountered no near-collisions with scary/inexperienced riders, and the vast majority of the riders who blew by me :p were very good about calling out. I also didn't enounter as much bike traffic piling up as last year and what I did was very easy to get around, for the most part. It could very well be because I headed out earlier this year than last.
It still took bloody for-ever to get thru registration though; those of us in the PQ row who had to suffer through the guy who forgot his reading glasses last year were re-bonding and resorting to bad puns to pass the time. I think we went through a bit faster this year but I still maintained we were in the P for Punishment line. :p
Congrats to Spazz for making it to the last rest stop, that was well into 50 miles, wasn't it? Considering that you've been living in the land of winter for so long and had no chance to train for this, 50 miles is nothing short of remarkable. Hope the aches & pains subside soon :eek:
Thanks Jobob, its nice to put some faces with the names. :)
Sounds like I got lucky, being in the "N" line. There was no wait, but that could have been because I started later.Quote:
Originally Posted by jobob
Overall, a wonderful experience. Smiles abounded, and I was impressed at the efficiency of the organizers. Plenty of food and drink, and it was all well-stocked and fresh. I think my favorite were the animal cookies, and took a half-banana to go at each stop.
I was curious if they had anything on the website about the ride, and found that they've posted some important info on the 2006 ride. Here's the link: Cinderella 2006
Yep, you were very lucky to be an N - we in the Punishment line were gazing longingly at your line, which never had more than 2 or 3 people in it. In many instances while we were all standing there gathering cobwebs, a lucky N would simply walk right up, check in, and be on her merry way... :p :p :p :p :p :DQuote:
Originally Posted by BikeMomma
Wow! Next year's jersey looks like a beaut! I'm really sorry I missed this year's ride, but there's another incentive to do next year's.
Thanks for all the awesome trip reports. Spazz, are you there? Good job making it so far! I surely would have only made 40, at the most. Is the route posted anywhere? Did they give you ride sheets, or did you just follow arrows? How bad was Lemon Drop Hill? Snapdragen, Cindy... how did it compare to Buffalo Hill (the only hill with a Krebs chevron that I've ridden)?
Lemon Drop is not a difficult hill, IMHO. There was a long slow climb before lunch that I found tougher, but very doable. I'm not sure any of the hills in Cinderella have chevrons -- I can't find my route sheet right now.
BTW - I look like I'm absolutely blasted in jobob's pictures, I assure you, that is not the case. Gotta love them irish genes though, me and my day-glo cheeks :(
Next year's jersey is gorgeous! I'll definately be ordering one.
OK, I'm sunk. I may be doing the ride next year for that jersey. I love the Painted Ladies (or Monarchs?). We got bombed with quite a few yesterday.
What a nice weekend!!! Big Thanks to Adventure Girl and Snapdragen for organizing!!! And even bigger thanks to AG for hanging with me through the ride....I was truly "sluggin" up the hills, but it's just me..... :rolleyes:
The ride was really nice. The weather really held up, just those winds toward the end were not nice. The "princes" did a nice job at the rest stops with plenty of bagels, peanut butter, bananas, oranges, pretzels, animal cookies, water, etc....AG and I were able to leave early, as ride4-life got us in at the front of the line...(Thanks hon...). At about mile 2 or 3 we had already seen at least 3 SAG vehicles pass us. I did start to have a minor cramp in my calf at about mile 10 - probably because I didn't hydrate enough or sleep very well the night before. Oh well, I just stopped to rub it out, and one of the SAG people came by right away to see if I was ok. I was ok, so kept going. We saw Jobob, Snap, and CindySue at the lunch stop, then again at the 3rd stop. I don't really know the area, and wasn't sure where we'd be coming in for the finish, so when the it came up I was pleasantly surprised. My computer started freaking out on me at about mile 17. It would go on and off, even after adjusting the sensor. I'm thinking the battery may need to be replaced, since it says I only rode, 58 miles....NOT!!!! :mad:
All in all, I had a nice time and was glad to meet everyone. We'll have to do it again!!!! If you're in the Sacramento area let me know.....Maybe we can do a ride along the American Rive Bike path. It's 62 mile round trip from Discovery Park in Sac to Folsom Lake, and it does have a 7% hill last couple of miles to the Lake. But it's pretty and bikes and runners only....
Take care everyone!!!
Muahaha! I safely made it past the Evil Cameras(tm) ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by jobob
It was really great to meet everyone. :) I had a absolute blast and the food was wonderful at Fuzio's. :)Quote:
That's all I can think of for the moment. I had a great time, many thanks to Snap & A"alpha dog"G for organizing the dinner, hope we can do it all again next year... if not sooner.
BikeMomma, thanks for the link. :) I just emailed the address they provided to get on the list for next year's Cindy. :)
I hope everyone had a great time with it. :) My weekend has been filled with chores and having guests over today (from 1:00pm till 9:30pm) :eek:
Mel
Thanks to all the ladies who shared their rides with us! Sounds like ya'll had a grand time. I LOVE that jersey for next year - guess I'll have to think about registering so I can get one. (corsair rules: it wouldn't be right to Wear it if I didn't Ride it!)
and CindySue N Slinke: I was just teasing ya about the cell phones - I knew ya'll was just joshing!! :D
Hill Slug - are you going to join us on April 9th from Lake Solano?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hill Slug
Quote:
Originally Posted by slinkedog
Not sure what Buffalo Hill is like, but I agree with Janet: Highland (aka lemon drop hill) was not difficult -- but then again, I've been training on Diablo, the three bears, and pigfarm hill. NOW, Ask me about Metcalf next week. ugh!Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
Cheers!
Cindy, we did Buffalo Hill on our ride. It was the second hill we went up. We did the backside of it on the way back and it got a little bit steep at the top. Remember? :) If you've been doing Diablo, you probably won't even remember it as a hill!! ;)
Ha, there will be other opportunities my dear :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Melody
OK, then lemon drop hill may have been a little steeper than what we did on our ride. My advice to you is just work a little bit more in each time you ride. Add a little steeper hill next time. Don't look up - just keep trudging along at YOUR comfortable pace. Soon, you will be the one encouraging someone else......Quote:
Originally Posted by slinkedog
I ride with Team in Training on Saturdays.....but, this Sat we're starting in Davis at 8am and going up through Winters, and Lake Solano I think....Something about Cantaloe (sp) Road or Hill.... I haven't ridden this route before so we'll see how it goes....We'll be wearing neon yellow jerseys....And I'll be with the other Slugs!!!! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
We might cross paths. If you're doing Cantelow Hill (and road) from Davis, you'll probably climb up the east side and will do about 55-60 miles. Cantelow will be your only climb with the exception of our very challenging freeway bridges :). You will then go either north or south on Pleasants Valley Rd (prob north so you can hit the store at Lake Solano. Tell them you'd prefer to go up the east side, purty please. The west side is darn steep because of the switchbacks, though it is shorter that way.
Here's a map of the area you'll be riding. Cantelow is the squiggly line running east/west in the middle of the left side of the page. The one that says "steep grades." From the east it is very doable. Pleasants Valley Rd runs the full left side of the map - it is a very fun road to ride and very popular with Yolo/Solano Co riders.
http://www.davisbikeclub.org/ClubDoc...cavilleMap.jpg
The end of our ride will take us north the full length of Pleasants Valley Rd so we may see you out there. I'll keep an eyeball peeled.
And, one last recommendation - don't miss the pie at the Putah Creek Cafe.
Hey y'all!
I had a blast meeting you grrls at Fuzio's. Thanks so much for setting that up. Jobob and Snap, I love the little glass slipper. I put it on my bike for the ride then promptly moved it over to my courier bag so I can always have that little reminder of you guys.
I got to 40 miles and wanted to quit. My body was done. BUT I got some amazing encouragement from a woman named Angie (she was riding with her mom) and I pushed on.
At the rest stop at 50 (49.2) I could go no further. Dita was there to stop my bike and hold it so I could get off...
I gotta tell you though, I'm proud as punch that I got 50 miles. I had no time in the saddle and no training at all. My brain and you TE grrls hospitality was what brought me out there and I had the best time I've had in a very long time.
THanks to all. Oh... with my flight snafu (see Cinderella pics thread) I got a free round trip tkt to anywhere I want. I'm thinking I'll be using that ticket for next yrs Cinderella.
Hugs and kisses... spazz
You did great spazz! So glad we all got a chance to meet. See you next year?! :D
oh god! I'd forgotten about that...
Just can't take me anywhere, can you?
I "borrowed" jobob's group shot and combined it with the individual shots I took at dinner to make this little keepsake. It ain't glamorous but it's a memory. Feel free to copy it for yourselves.
Really nice collage, Spaz! We all look so happy! What a fun night! :D
Eeeeeeep! I didn't escape the Evil Camera (tm) ;)
Mel
You may escape the pros, but the spazz always gets her shot :D
I'm really proud of you, Spazz, for making it 50 miles and enduring Airport Hell! I hope you had a fun trip to the left coast! I'm very sorry that we didn't get to ride together.
So I know who most of the folk are in those photos... could you provide the names of all so I can keep them straight???
Thanks!
Uh... let's see if I can get this right:
In the group shot starting on the foreground left and going around - me, Trek420, CindySue. Across from CindySue is BikeMomma, Adventure Girl, Snapdragon and Bike Goddess (Nancy_Lund).
Hiding behind CindySue I think was Hill Slug - she's the 4th from left individual shot.
Absent from the table was Jobob and Melody, but I got them (HA!) with the individual shot; right side - 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Corrections anyone?
spazz
Awesome job there- Look at you! GREAT!!!
Love the collage Spazz. Thanks! It was a really special evening meeting all of you. I hope we can do it again!
Wow, good job on the collage, Spazz! I did save it, and I think I'll put it as my background pic on the desktop! A place of honor.
It truly was great meeting all of you that night- my glass slipper is hanging from an overhead storage cabinet at my desk at work, close at hand to bring a smile. Awwwww..... heehee :p :p
the check's been cashed, Bikeless, Spazzdog, we're in. Where's dinner? :p
Trek, if you're going to start a cinderella dinner thread, perhaps it should be a brand-new one rather than adding on to last years' very long thread.
Just a suggestion.
- Jo.