Curious about the Cinderella Route?

[melissam]

While riding in the Pleasanton the other day, I saw a plethora of little pink arrows in the road. It was the cycling equivalent of bread crumbs.

My Garmin Edge recorded the adventure, and you can see the route on the map and the elevation profile here:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5272241
or
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/player/5272241

The second link is a player, which correlates the elevation changes with the points on the map.

A couple of words to the wise:

1. According to motionbased, the total elevation gain was over 3000 feet. WRONG! Bikely puts it at 1671 feet, which sounds about right.

2. The Cinderella starting point is the Alameda County Fairgrounds; my starting point was from my brother & sister-in-law's house.

3. I lost track of the little pink arrows toward the end of the ride, so I had to improvise a little bit.

Oh, one more disclaimer. Yes, I'm slow! But, but, but ... I'd done a hilly 70 mile ride the day before, so my legs were a bit tired.

-- Melissa

[SadieKate]

Yeah, if you are doing the metric route, train your butt for miles and do not worry about the hills. There are only a few hills and nothing big. I would have said the route was more like 1,100 ft of climbing.

Even at 1671 ft, that's only 26 ft/mile.

Diablo from Arbolado Park and back is 144 ft/mile.

Rest easy and train for distance.

[gnat23]

Thanks for the preview!

Motionbased I find always inflates the elevation based on what Garmin's Training Center gives me. Dunno why that is.

-- gnat!

[melissam]

Yeah, if you are doing the metric route, train your butt for miles and do not worry about the hills. There are only a few hills and nothing big. I would have said the route was more like 1,100 ft of climbing.

Rest easy and train for distance.

Good advice for the Cindy. Unfortunately, someone put a crazy idea in my head about doing the Tierra Bella double metric in a couple of weeks which looks like it involves distance AND a bit of climbing. I'm still on the fence about doing the double metric or opting for one of the shorter routes.

I wasn't planning on doing the Cinderella, but my sister-in-law signed up for it and wants me to come along for moral support. So now I'm scrambling around looking for a ticket at the last minute.

[maillotpois]

Good advice for the Cindy. Unfortunately, someone put a crazy idea in my head about doing the Tierra Bella double metric in a couple of weeks which looks like it involves distance AND a bit of climbing. I'm still on the fence about doing the double metric or opting for one of the shorter routes.

Do the 200k!!! It'll be fun!

[melissam]

Do the 200k!!! It'll be fun!

Uh oh. Have I ever mentioned that I'm highly susceptible to peer pressure? Hard for me to resist, especially if a good time is promised.

[kjay]

Melissa, thanks so much for giving us this information. That's a neat device you've got there.

I am assuming that the Cinderella metric is the same route every year. Please correct me if I've assumed incorrectly.

[Trek420]

If you're curious about the route, why not talk it up over dinner with a bunch (well so far 3) gals who've ridden it before.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22223

[melissam]

Melissa, thanks so much for giving us this information. That's a neat device you've got there.

I am assuming that the Cinderella metric is the same route every year. Please correct me if I've assumed incorrectly.

Hey KJay! Are you going to ride in the Cindy again this year? I think the Cinderella route is pretty much the same year after year. OTOH, what do I know? I've only done it once, and that was from a different starting point.

If you're curious about the route, why not talk it up over dinner with a bunch (well so far 3) gals who've ridden it before.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22223

Trek, sounds like you'll all have a blast. I have plans on Friday night, so please do some carbo loading for me!

-- Melissa

[smilingcat]

I'm still planning to show up for cindy ride.

few minor obstacles:

my regular training ride is only 40 miles with about 2200-2700 feet of climb. nothing at 50 or 60 miles. I hope the 10-12% grade for 5 or so miles will make up for the 20 mile shortfall.) I climb 2200-2700 feet in about 10 miles. 20 mile is flat 10 mile of climb and 10 mile of descent.

Caught a cold/flu the other day. came home early and been sleeping most of the day. I'm still showing up regardless though.

I think I might take short cat naps at rest stops, I should be able to finish. So thank you for giving me an idea on the route. 1600 feet of climb at 2% or so isn't too bad.

As for the dinner, I have no idea where any of these places are... and if I'm still sick, I don't want to expose anyone else with this nasty bug.

smilingcat

[Trek420]

As for the dinner, I have no idea where any of these places are... and if I'm still sick, I don't want to expose anyone else with this nasty bug.

smilingcat

Well, this is all a little more last minute than before but don't worry about us, the 3 so far are not planning on riding, and BG is retired so it's not like she'd miss work. So if you'd like to go and Rockridge would would work for you I'm sure we can work it out.

We could even .... meet in Berkeley Saul's if you need chicken soup.

BG suggested Rockridge area to make it BART'able. Where will you be headed from? PM me if you need my cell for any last minute info.

[Bike Goddess]

BG IS RIDING THE CINDY- she may even do the challenge

[melissam]

I'm in too -- I was able to find a ticket! (Many, many thanks to Jobob for forwarding all the emails from folks needing to sell their Cindy tickets!)

No pre-ride TE dinner for me, though. Hopefully someone will do some carbo loading and have a Kamikaze for me.

-- Mel

[kjay]

Hi, Melissa! Yes, am riding again this year but am not staying overnight in the area so won't be going to the pre-ride dinner. If you're at the dinner next year, I'll go, too. :-)

[melissam]

Hi, Melissa! Yes, am riding again this year but am not staying overnight in the area so won't be going to the pre-ride dinner. If you're at the dinner next year, I'll go, too. :-)

OK, I'll hold you to that!

I'll keep an eye out for you on Saturday -- maybe I'll see you on the road or at lunch. I'll be riding with my sister-in-law, who has a celeste Bianchi. I'll be wearing a burgundy & white jersey that says Giddy Up:



-- Melissa