Cinderella Classic 2008

[Trek420]

I signed up for registration notification. When I lived in Calif I always wanted to ride this. Why not do it now?

Sneaky sneaky sneaky....we can do the same thing we did last year.

Whoever gets registration first will post. If I do anyone can PM me their fax number and I'll fax away.

Then you have to mail it ASAP.

Then we all post how we're checking our bank online to see if the check has cashed.

Then people who missed the cut off will scramble to trade with others who can't go.

Then dinner.

Then we'll complain about registration at the ride. Despite the change in venue it went real well last year!

Maybe parking will be bad?

Meanwhile the Californians will say how we'd rather do Bike the Buttes or what is the other ride that always seems to be at the same time? And we'll all complain about riders riding two-three....10 up on the Cindy ride and why we'll never do it again because of that.

But it's so much fun we go again.

I'd better find a way to train

Speaking of which I highly recommend the Luna Chix traning rides for this which often include the best parts of the route. The year before last when I never thought I'd say "I survived the brutal epic Cinderella Century" their final fast paced but friendly 40 mile training ride included the most beautiful parts and was the ride for me.

Congratulations to Duck on Wheels completing a personal best on that the worst Cindy weather ever. And thanks to Mel, who escorted her.

[teigyr]

Sneaky and clever. I approve

Depending on when it happens, I might not have a fax machine available. Hmmm.

As of now, I don't have a case for my bike. The drive would be 808 miles

I'd do the metric so in theory, I could do it on a rental bike. Is that feasible? Or am I better off to get a case and schlep the bike down to Calif via our lovely airplanes?

The ride looks like FUN! How do the out of state people work it? I thought it'd be like driving from the L.A. area (seemed like forever, right?) but that's 300+ miles vs. lots and lots more.

[jobob]

You could go on Amtrak.

[teigyr]

Amtrak = excellent idea.

Here's the thing. I am basically a lazy creature despite the fact I like to exert myself. I like minimal drama. Oh and minimal packing despite my fixation with taking far too many shoes and hair stuff when I travel.

I can fly free. DH can fly free. He would gleefully pack and unpack my bike. With Amtrak or flying, we'd have to rent a car, right? So what station or airport would get us as close to where need to be as possible? I've learned a lot since moving to WA. You can't drive to Vegas. You can't drive to San Francisco. I mean you could but it's far. It gets cold. These are all life lessons.

Thx and not to highjack X's original discussion though this might pertain to them too. It sounds like a blast and it's been a dream of mine to do since I started riding.

Oh and I don't know my days off yet (we bid quarterly so we bid again in Feb) so I might have to make the trip quickly. I would love to meet all my TE brethren in Calif

[jobob]

Sorry for the hijack, X !

Teigyr, the big downside to Amtrak is that it takes a long time - lots of stops, lots of delays. In my (admittedly limited) experience with Amtrak, it's never been on time. So if you're pressed for time, it probably wouldn't work. If you have the time though, it could be fun. I might ride Amtrak to visit SadieKate in Bend sometime. It's only a 13 hour trip

You'd need to box up the bike but Amtrak sells boxes that (according to DH) don't require you to disasemble the bikes at all (we haven't checked on this so don't take my word for it, yet). The seats in the main cars are very wide and comfy, but you might want a sleeper room for that length of trip.

As for stations or airports - for Amtrak stations the closest would be Martinez or Emeryville (the latter which is near Oakland). The ride starts from Pleasanton? (I think - check the Cinderella website) and there are serveral hotels near the ride start which offer deals for Cinderella participants. Again, check the web site. If they're not listed now they should be in the next couple of months.

Closest airport is Oakland, but San Jose and San Francisco aren't all that far away.

[Bike Goddess]

Teigyr- I am with Jobob on this one. Although I love trains, given your circumstances I'd opt for flying into the Oakland airport. A shuttle bus will take you to the BART station nearby and you can take BART to the Dublin/Pleasanton station. I'm sure a shuttle from a local hotel where you would be staying would be happy to pick you up there. When you figure out your times, I'd suggest that you get in touch with the local hotels and find out their shuttle services. Some probably go to the airport as well.

Re Cindy rides- I have offered to lead the VSP/LunaChix training rides as my schedule allows me to ride Saturdays now. I'm looking forward to seeing you all out there on the rides ([that means you too Ms.TREK).

Hopefully CindySue will be posting a ride schedule soon.

[BikeMomma]

X and Teigyr -- hope you both can make it down!
~BikeMomma

[Resumer]

I was pretty excited about setting the goal of the Cinderella Ride as part of my training/prep for the ALC...and then, just now, found this at their website:

Effective 9:00 a.m. January 3rd, 2008
We will no longer accept registration form requests for
the 2008 Cinderella Classic/Challenge.
We’ve received over 4,000 requests for the 2,200 rider spots.




BUMMER!!!!

[Eden]

As of now, I don't have a case for my bike.

There are several shops in the area (Aarons and Montlake Bicycles) that will rent you a case. There are also some people who have one who advertise that they will rent it in the Cascade Courier. It's cheaper than buying one and you don't have to store it afterwards.

[Trek420]

Sneaky sneaky sneaky....we can do the same thing we did last year.

Whoever gets registration first will post. If I do anyone can PM me their fax number and I'll fax away.

Then you have to mail it ASAP.

Then we all post how we're checking our bank online to see if the check has cashed.

Then people who missed the cut off will scramble to trade with others who can't go.

Fear not, Resumer. There is hope.

And meanwhile the Lunachix and Velogirls progressive Cinderella training ride series is a great way to train.

And there's always dinner.