Cinderella has arrived

[Bike Goddess]

My envelope for the famous Cinderella ride arrived yesterday. Now to decide what to do. I'm thinking that IF I do this ride, I'll do the Challenge. I've done the classic ride many times and am a bit bored with it (not the people, mind you, just the same old route). The Challenge is just that. The climb up Patterson is hard towards the top, but other than that not a hard route (unless it's 38 degrees and windy like last year!).

Anyone else up for this segment of the ride??????????

[SadieKate]

If you're bored by it, why take up a spot in such a popular event with limited spaces? I bet there are a lot of beginning riders who would love to ride it.

[Veronica]

Isn't Cinderella the same day as Party Pardee?

Veronica

[maillotpois]

If you're bored by it, why take up a spot in such a popular event with limited spaces? I bet there are a lot of beginning riders who would love to ride it.

My theoretical spot is up for grabs...

[SadieKate]

Mine, too! I did it 4 times spread over nearly 20 years with the last two being only to accompany friends who were new to such things. It's a great first metric or century. After that, I went in seach of new pastures.

[Veronica]

I've kind of sworn off organized rides in general. Most rides I can do without the support. Plus hordes of cyclists always seem to have poor road manners.

Veronica

[jobob]

The Challenge route sounds pretty good.

[MM_QFC!]

I've kind of sworn off organized rides in general. Most rides I can do without the support. Plus hordes of cyclists always seem to have poor road manners.

Veronica

+++++1, V - although I'm not yet back on my bike (a car knocked me off it last year, while I was in a crosswalk @$#%!)...I'll continue to stay away from sharing the road with hordes of riders in order to avoid those few but often dangerous ignorant and/or ill-mannered riders (this decision came after riding in loads of organized rides all over, including 6 Seattle-to-Portland
1-day rides).
Tailwinds!
Mary

[Karma007]

Was awesome!!!!!

[Trek420]

Pictures please! Ride reports

Here are Duck and Bike Goddess

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=30113

[Karma007]

My pics didn't come out so well, so as my first big ride, here are the stats:

hilites:
seeing the bazillion bikes at the first stop

not getting mushed, or causing a wreck (which was my biggest fear)

food- my vegy sammich, soup, and beer post ride. I INHALED It. It was the best food I've ever eaten...

beautful weather

lemon drop dude, even though I had to spit it out so I didn't choke on it...

It was a great day...

[Bike Goddess]

This year I did the challenge route as well. I'm glad I did. I think the comment "It's 1 3/4 mile to the top of Patterson Pass", was what did it for me. I've done that ride before (last year) but not part of the Cinderella ride and didn't remember much about the climb except that it was HARD! Surprise to me- this year it wasn't that bad and I made it to the top in fine style! The new route is much nicer as we really did just ride country roads with very little traffic.

This was the best Cinderella ride I've been on yet. Maybe that was because we left later (8:10). It was a pleasure to ride with so many gracious cyclists- they thanked people in cars for waiting, thanked the cops, thanked the support folks, thanked the rest stop folks- just a lotta thank yous which I dont' often see on other rides.

Tofu- have you met the Benicia Bike Club folks? They are talking about a cyclist from Martinez and I wondered if it was you????

[gnat23]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnat23/...7616322324139/

I did the Challenge for the first time. I was a little disappointed that it was not a full-century (85 miles), but "chasing the windmills" was great! Awesome descent out of the first BIG climb!

I was having terrible chain slippage all day, then finally snapped my rear derailleur cable at around mile 60. SAG was able to get me sorted and sent me back on my way to finish strong (whew).

Love the energy, creativity, and friendliness of all the women about. Always a favorite ride for me (even with mechanicals).

-- gnat!

[Trek420]

It was great, I had fun, the weather was beautiful, I am very proud of my big sister or should I say older sister because she's smaller now though she's still taller than me but she's smaller, not that she was big before, not that it would be a bad thing ... oh sod it I had a sucky ride.

I completed the ride, skin side up, rubber side down (I heard riders reporting crashes they saw, I did not witness any or the aftermath, hope all are ok) but slower than ever and just a mass of whining :

my helmet's uncomfortable - whaaaaa
wrong water bottles (short ones, hard to reach, sip, and ride) - whaaaaa
forgot both my sunscreen and butt balm - whaaaaa
my foot hurts - big whaaaa and thoughts of Keens and new pedals

I could go on but then you'd all say "whaaaaaaa"

I've been doing more Aikido and Knott says I look more "compact" but Aikido fitness is not bike fitness though good to have on the bike. Nothing says "I'm trained! Let's ride " like ... well duh!! ... riding.

The riding I've done has been on the commuter and I spent the first 10 miles or so remembering how Campy works.

That's ok, right? The route starts out flat.

Did I mention the ride organizer found every hill in the first 15 miles or so? The route was much more scenic, quieter, less traffic, not like it used to be though the business parks. More hills. Thanks ride organizers!

All the while Trek's muttering "uh, Campy, so the thumb thingy on the right, gears go down? or up "

Oh how the mighty have fallen

I wore the Fat Cyclist jersey. Some riders passing me must have thought "oh cool, here's a fat cyclists with a jersey for Fat Cyclists" and "is that a Clydesdale? Cool!" but I had a chat riding briefly with another rider who said Fatty is her DH's favorite website. Another rider at the last rest stop is riding with Team Fatty at Livestrong rides. Some just passed me with a hearty "Win Susan!" instead of calling out my usual name "hey, on your left"