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????