Cinderella Classic 2008

[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

[teigyr]

I got a confirmation e-mail to be on the registration list. There was this blurb about since I was out of state, I would be registered. I didn't understand so I asked for clarification. I was told that all out of states registrants are registered as long as the postmark is within the proper times.

Meaning I'm in almost no matter what?! That is what he said.

Now with the hotels, etc. If the bike is cased, would it be difficult to ride BART? I have yet to get the case, of course. And since I am unfamiliar with that area, if we stay at a hotel are we within walking distance/riding distance to the Cindy start?

I think it would be SO much fun. I won't be up for the more challenging 100 just because our weather will still be *(&^ here and I'm a cold weather wuss but I could do a nice rolling metric.

[Xrayted]

Snap - I think Kit still gets headaches related to the TE Cindy Dinner. She hasn't had a Lemon Drop since then.

I think we will go, it's a matter of how to get there and if we want to expand it into a bonus vacation trip as well, maybe SoCal.

Teigyr - we were very happy to be able to load up the bikes on the Jeep to come back to the hotel at the end of the ride. (of course, we had just driven across country in a Jeep Wrangler - 3700+ miles) If we drive down there (mapquest says 10hrs ), we would be glad to share the ride. We will probably fly though, in which case, we could get a rental SUV of some sort to haul bikes. You are welcome to catch a ride either way.

Also T, maybe there are those out there who are going alone and want to split hotel costs with another TE'er? Just a thought.

As for the email confirmation, we went on and updated our current addy with them and also got the message on out of state registration. I don't remember it being a given last year, but they may have changed it.

[teigyr]

That is way cool about the registration.

I'll have to see what my timeframe is closer to and what date the Cindy is on...can't remember if it's a Saturday or a Sunday. I have to admit part of me is charmed by the thought of driving IF I can take the time to do that.

'Course the flying might work too. There's lots of time to figure it out and if I can (ahem) help with that flight stuff I certainly will.

so the moral is Stay Away From the Lemondrops?!!

[snapdragen]

so the moral is Stay Away From the Lemondrops?!!

Well, for Kit it sounds like a permanent thing, for myownself - no way. Just do not over-imbibe the night before!

Maybe a post ride dinner this year?

//yes, I am considering riding it again, providing my neck and arms cooperate and keep getting better.

[Bike Goddess]

Snap- I love the idea of a post ride dinner, however I think we nixed it last time due to everyone getting back from the ride at different times and then wanting to change into clean dry clothes etc.

I'm up for pre or post- but would love somewhere to take a shower if we have a post ride din din.

[Bike Goddess]

Teigyr- The Cindy ride is on the 1st Sat in April this time. Yes, you can take your bike case on BART. You should see what people drag on the train when they are going to the airport. There's even an elevator at each of the stations so you can just wheel your stuff in and out.

Sure would be fun to have you down. If your DH wants to come, he can be part of the support team- i.e. the guys that serve us at the rest stops. Wouldn't that be fun! Just be sure if he comes that he brings a camera. Some of the outfits are really fun!

If you can make it to the pre ride dinner (one of us could probably pick you up at your hotel) then we can plan the STP adventure up your way (plus give you a real California welcome!).

[teigyr]

If your DH wants to come, he can be part of the support team- i.e. the guys that serve us at the rest stops. Wouldn't that be fun! Just be sure if he comes that he brings a camera. Some of the outfits are really fun!

I was looking at last year's pictures and the outfits are great!!! I might need a tiara. As DH was feeling a bit hurt that he couldn't ride, I explained that we would be waited on by MEN. He looked a bit more hurt and said "I wait on you, right?" so I had to explain that this was a GROUP of men. He pretended to look quite shocked. He's good with the pictures, he has gone to the two tri's that I've done and he tries to get pictures of me and the people I know.

This sounds like so much fun! So, I need a case for my bike. I also need to check the vacation schedule at work. Just in case I don't get good days off on the new bid (right now I'm sat-mon but I don't see that continuing just because that would be far too lucky), I might as well delegate that time for vacation.

Pre-ride or post-ride dinners work either way. Thanks for all your help!! Even when I was in that area more, I still get confused as to what is near where.

DH has gone to other TE rides/functions too and he is good with being the token male. I think his friends think he is lucky

Just talked to him on the phone (working on a saturday) and he said he would love to help in whatever way he can. He also offered his services in reassembling bikes if it needs to be done.

[jobob]

A post-ride dinner sounds great to me.

Snap, it would be awesome if you could make the ride.

[jobob]

Teigyr, perhaps we can hook up your DH with my DH for a ride that day.

[mtbdarby]

Teigyr - I registered too! I don't know if I'll be bringing my son or not yet - they didn't reply to my email about having him ride on the tag-a-long. Lots of time to plan it yet though.

I almost ordered a tutu last week when I bought a dance leotard for my niece for Christmas. Guess I should have, huh?

[Xrayted]

so the moral is Stay Away From the Lemondrops?!!

I wouldn't say that. I would caution you to not try to keep up with Snap though.

Snap - I still don't see how Kit ever rode the century the next day, feeling the way she was. And on a borrowed mtb! She was green as grass until we hit the first stop and she got some Excedrin from one of the crew. Even then, it took her another hour to feel semi-human. As I recall, you laid in bed (or the bathroom floor, I don't remember) for much of the ride day. Heh. Can't wait for the next one though, ya know? Good food, good company, good ride.

[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.