Cinderella registration

[jobob]

http://www.valleyspokesmen.org/cinder.html

- Jo, who has her reg form already, they were being handed out at the training ride today!

Snapdragen, where were you?

[Veronica]

No fair - last time I looked at their site it said registration would open Feb. 1.

So how goes the training?

Veronica

[jobob]

Super, thanks for asking!

Yesterday was, uh, a challenge. I've been biking to the meeting place for our training rides - I found that biking the 7 miles to the bike shop where we meet took about the same amount of time as attaching the bike rack to my car, loading the bike, driving to the shop, finding parking and unloading - plus it makes a heck of a lot more sense.

Except yesterday morning when it was time to set out there was a steady rain falling. Pokey was rarin' to go with his fenders and Brooks saddle cover, and was standing there as if to say "what you waiting for, girl?" So I sucked it up and set off. I'm glad I had the cheepo bright yellow jacket I bought a size too large from Performance, I put that over my long-sleeve jersey and Pearl Izumi jacket, so I kept reasonably warm and dry, at least from my neck to my hips. I had on lycra/cotton tights over my bike shorts, and hoped for the best that my legs wouldn't get too cold.

And it wasn't ... too... bad ... riding in the rain, especially once I figured out that no, brakes don't work so well in the rain but at 8 am on a rainy Saturday morning there wasn't much traffic to contend with, and most of my ride was along the Alameda Creek path anyhow which, not surprisingly, I had practically all to myself. Which is just as well, I think I was muttering "this sucks" over and over before I finally settled in.

People got a kick out of me when I slogged into the bike store trailing a river behind me (most seemed to have driven in, there were only a few wet rats besides me). I wasn't very bad off though, I never got too cold and my tights dried off pretty quickly. All in all I felt kind of proud of myself for braving the elements

The training ride itself was cancelled - which was probably a good idea, I wasn't worried for myself but we were supposed to do a hilly route yesterday and I think there would have been some safety issues. So we had a safety lecture (along the lines of how not to get killed at busy intersections), after which I set off back for home.

It had stopped raining by then, and I had mostly dried off, so instead of taking the turnoff for home I headed out to the Coyote Hills and did a couple of loops of the hilly area and out to the path out to the bay and back home, about 30 miles altogether. It's beautiful out there this time of year, all green after the winter rains, with beatiful egrets and herons and hawks and noisy geese. I encountered a few groups of women from the training ride series, I guess some of them set out for this area after I had left the bike shop. To be perfectly honest, I'm kind of glad I went on alone, I'm finding that sometimes I really enjoy solitary rides. And I was feeling super. I was marvelling at the fact that a ride that would have done me in a month or so ago was no great shakes now. And I remember at one point I said a little thank you to the ladies on this list who encouraged me to give this a go {hug}

end of babble, - Jo.

[Veronica]

Sounds like you are having blast. I too really enjoy solitary rides. The sun was out a couple of days here this week and I did some after work riding. It's nice just to get out.

We're planning on leading a club ride in April through the Sacramento Delta area. It would be cool if you came out for it. We're thinking about sixty miles, mainly flat. There may be a bit of a headwind. We really like riding out there. It's farm country and along the river is very beautiful and quiet.


Veronica

[aka_kim]

Jobob, you're so inspiring! Yesterday morning I was holed up inside whining about the rain and cold.

The Cinderella registration forms were sent out to last year's riders last week, I think. Sierra Century (my favoride ride) also just opened their registration, and that ride's not until June. I guess procrastination is out this year.

[snapdragen]

Uh.......snug and cozy in my bed listening to the rain?

Jobob--yesterday you were a better woman than I! I will see you next Saturday!

(I did 30 miles today! I'll post a report later.....I'm TIRED)

[jobob]

Oh, Janet, gotta tell you, I was thiiis close to doing the same thing!

Here's hoping the weather cooperates next week.

- Jo.

[melissam]

Jo & Janet,

It sounds like you're at the Cinderella Training Rides hosted by the Fremont Freewheelers. I am too! Which groups are you in? I'm in the Dark Green group.

Lots of fun!

-- Melissa (with the 20 year old Bianchi that still runs great!)

[snapdragen]

I don't remember! Jo! Was it green? Or blue?

I'm riding an indigo blue Terry, 'cause Jo stole my Rivendale

[jobob]

uh ... maybe it was blue-green?

I really don't remember, the groups are kind of loosely organized at this point. That and I'm going senile. My plan was to just follow you & your friends from the club in the hopes you remembered which group we're in ...

But Melissa, we'll keep an eye open for you! Is your Bianchi in that lovely Celeste green?

- Jo (who stole her Riv from Janet )

[Veronica]

I'm sure Grant would be happy to provide another Riv for Janet. The new Rambouillets are going to be blue rather than orange.

Veronica

[melissam]

Jo,

Alas, no, the Bianchi is burgundy rather than the traditional celeste green.

Probably won't be there this Saturday, as my brother and his family are in town from N. Carolina.

I know, where are my priorities?!

-- Melissa

[jobob]

For any of you procrastinator types out there planning to participate, this was just posted on the VeloGirls email list:

Just chatted with the organizers of the Cinderella Classic. They opened registration early and registrations are just flooding in. He anticipates it will be filled by the middle of next week, so if you want to do this ride, don't hesitate.

http://www.valleyspokesmen.org/cinder.html

- Jo

[aka_kim]

Eek! Thanks Jo. I'm mailing mine now.

[Adventure Girl]

Here's a picture I found on their website from the 2002 Cinderella Classic. This looks like fun!!