Cinderalla Century 30th Anniversary Jersey Orders

[Grog]

That ride looks like a lot of fun, could we have a few more details please? What kind of course is it? Would it be worth the trip for other TeamEstrogeners?

[SadieKate]

Grog, the US of A has two women only centuries. I'll give you some notes but know that they are colored by my own personal preference and experience.

The Cinderella is in Dublin, CA (east San Francisco Bay area) and has one route of 65 miles/100km. Due to it's location, much of the ride is on metropolitan roads with lots of traffic and 2,200-2,400 women. Many of these women are riding their first organized ride which is great but it also means you get women riding 2-4 abreast with lots of traffic. I've done the ride 4 times starting in 1987 when there were, I think, about 800 of us and a lot less urban development. It's a very cool ride simply because of the all-women factor and it is pretty awesome to see this many women on their bikes.

The other ride is the Little Red Riding Hood in the Cache Valley of northern Utah. http://www.bbtc.net/Calendar/annual/lrrhinfo05.htm Route options include 30, 62 and 100 miles. Of the two rides, the LLRH is by far more scenic because it is in rural Utah and a smidge into Idaho. The tiny bit of traffic was incredibly friendly. I'll have to go read my thread from this year, but I recall that about 800 women total were on this ride with the goal of 1,000 next year. LLRH included cute red girly T-shirts rather than ugly men's white undershirts. Jenny and I had a very good time and she also preferred this ride. My report is at: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ht=riding+hood

Support for both was equally good. Terrain is very similar as in almost completely flat. Overall, I think the Utah ride was friendlier simply because the atmosphere is so low key compared to the combative/defensive riding necessary for the California Bay Area.

If there were no other factors to consider (like family and other vacation desires), I would spend my money on the LLRH. Just me. I don't do well in crowds and high traffic and I do extremely well when mountains are in view. I think several of us are hoping to do the LLRH in 2006. Bubba has talked about driving the bike bus with the boat trailer remodeled into a bike hauler and then serving as Wrenchboy for the ride.

[caligurl]

i still want to do little red riding hood! i figure that we can camp (with the dogs).. and they can ride in the truck with hubby during the ride! (since he can't ride it anyways! ) we'll see as it gets closer..

i LOVE that girly girl pic riding on the bike!

[SadieKate]

I should add to the notes about the Cinderella that it can be really tough to get into it. Entry is capped and can fill up in a matter of hours. If you want to ride it, you must be on the mailing list. I wish they would just do on-line registration to alleviate the suspense and to remove the USPS factor.

Cali, the MS150 is on the same roads as the LLRH so you might check the Utah chapter of the MS Society for campground info. Would be fun to get a bunch of TE girls there.

[Trek420]

SadieKate " I wish they would just do on-line registration to alleviate the suspense and to remove the USPS factor."

I also wish they would let you sign in and complete the process the night before the ride. That ran better this year but getting your number, waver signed...a bit of a zoo.

I've begun the legal name change to Trek420 Quigliamakinskyanovich to get into the nearly empty "Q" line.

Let me state right off the bat that we looooove our newbie gal riders and this is a great first metric century; not too hard but enough hills and headwinds to be a challenge. Also a nice early season tune up ride for experienced gals.

I also saw somewhere that for our TE guys there is a parallel ride that mimics the route but backwards? Don't know where i read that.

It's also nice to see there is still a patch or two of beautiful open space in the Bay Area i love so much. If you ride quietly you can hear the housing approaching it.

Experienced riders will want to get out and get going right away. Early on the ride is full of riders some don't signal or stay to the right or are a little wobbly. Last year I was "spit out of the back of the pack" of the faster riders, and with a more experienced crowd around me it was much better than the year before.

this year....costume!!!?

[SadieKate]

Jersey order form is now up and it includes the race cut and the new club cut. Price is $49.

Kim should be very happy because it is blue.

"Quigliamakinskyanovich" - you just want the prize for the longest and most difficult to spell name.

[Adventure Girl]

I really like the Cinderella just because of the "women only" factor. But the ride itself isn't all that exciting or especially great. I wish they had different ride lengths. I've actually considered riding it twice as a double metric. But of course there would be no support for the second lap.

[aka_kim]

Kim should be very happy because it is blue.

I am, but if I buy it I'll feel compelled to do the ride too.

AG, Ms. Q has a good point - I'd bet rest stops and SAG would still be available for your second lap, especially if you're fast (and we know you are) and start early.

[cindysue]

I also saw somewhere that for our TE guys there is a parallel ride that mimics the route but backwards? Don't know where i read that.

I'm pretty sure that is the Valley Spokesmen (the organizers and a cycling club in Dublin). The men ride the route the day before - backwards like you said. They will post details on their website ride Calendar in March about that men's ride.........

Oh and the event is staffed by all men

[Trekhawk]

The other ride is the Little Red Riding Hood in the Cache Valley of northern Utah. http://www.bbtc.net/Calendar/annual/lrrhinfo05.htm Route options include 30, 62 and 100 miles. Of the two rides, the LLRH is by far more scenic because it is in rural Utah and a smidge into Idaho. The tiny bit of traffic was incredibly friendly. I'll have to go read my thread from this year, but I recall that about 800 women total were on this ride with the goal of 1,000 next year. LLRH included cute red girly T-shirts rather than ugly men's white undershirts. Jenny and I had a very good time and she also preferred this ride. My report is at: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ht=riding+hood
Support for both was equally good. Terrain is very similar as in almost completely flat. Overall, I think the Utah ride was friendlier simply because the atmosphere is so low key compared to the combative/defensive riding necessary for the California Bay Area.
If there were no other factors to consider (like family and other vacation desires), I would spend my money on the LLRH. Just me. I don't do well in crowds and high traffic and I do extremely well when mountains are in view. I think several of us are hoping to do the LLRH in 2006. Bubba has talked about driving the bike bus with the boat trailer remodeled into a bike hauler and then serving as Wrenchboy for the ride.

Sadiekate - I like the sound of the LRRH ride. When do they normally post info and registration for the ride? I need to start keeping a calendar of events I think.

[caligurl]

I need to start keeping a calendar of events I think.

we have a calendar with all the rides we want to do next year... plus a few that we probably won't do... but might and if there is a sign up start date and end date.. have that on too (so we don't miss getting registeres/pre-registered!)

it comes in very handy.. but also makes me mad when there are two or three good rides on the same day!

[wabisabi]

The Western States Ride Calendar lists a lot of rides--

http://www.bbcnet.com/RideCalendar/RideListDate.asp

[slinkedog]

I am totally planning on doing this one and have asked for the jersey for Christmas. I'd love to at least one of the Luna rides in prep. Can't wait!

[Adventure Girl]

I am totally planning on doing this one

Slinke, you ARE going to do this ride this year!!!!

[cindysue]

That ride looks like a lot of fun, could we have a few more details please? What kind of course is it? Would it be worth the trip for other TeamEstrogeners?

I think I have my map from last year laying around somewhere. I'll look for it tonight when I get home and post some details