Ride Report: Cinderella Challenge 90 mile ride April 4, 2009

The Cinderella Classic is an all women's 100K ride, put on by the Valley Spokesmen Cycle Club. The men of the club, who call themselves the Prince Charmings when they run this ride, started this ride over 20 years ago as a thank you to the wives of the club for always supporting their rides and cooking for all the rest stops. Its popularity has exploded and the ride now boasts a sellout crowd of 2500 women every year.

Last year they added a optional 30 mile loop to the course with more serious climbing and called it the Cinderella Challenge which is a 95 mile ride (However, when you add the ride sheet totals it is only 90 miles and this agreed with my cycle computer). This was the ride I have been training with the cycle group for. I was riding this with my Cycle Buddy and Julia and we had planned to start with Claire and Lori.

Pre-ride

I am a pretty organized person and am rarely late to anything, however I can not seem to get my shit together when it comes it these rides. After forgetting to get gas the night before, missing two exits on the way there, and then poor planning on packet pick up we finally got our asses on the road at 8:10. One hour and 10 minutes AFTER our planned start time.

Lord, I am sure there will be a line out the door of people waiting to ride with me again.

The ride

I was on my bike for about 20 seconds when I fell. In the parking lot. Lots of witnesses. I told you, mad skillz! It was immediately after this that I realized I had forgotten my Garmin in the car. I was NOT about to ask my ride buddies if I could run back and get it. At this point, I was lucky they hadn't ditched me an hour earlier.

After check in we found out that the turn off to the challenge loop closed down at 10:30. If we did not make it to mile 31 by 10:30 we would not be allowed to do the Challenge option. We knew we would have to push to make the cut off, so we did.

The ride starts off in a pretty tree lined residential area. It was pretty crowded for the first 28 miles (28 miles was the actual site of the turn off. Measuring is NOT one of the Cinderella's strong suits).

If you ain't the lead dog the view never changes.



The three amigos! First rest stop!

The first rest stop was at the fairgrounds and there was a small schooling show going on. Cute horse butts!


Here we met up with Claire and Lori who had left before us. Translation: they didn't want to wait around while I bumble fucked around. They were doing the 100k today.

Once we reached the Challenge turn off and we were pretty much alone. None of the other challenge riders had started as late as us.

Sheesh.

We made the cut off with about 30 minutes to spare. 28 miles in 1:50 is a 15.3 mph average. Considering that includes the crowded conditions, several stop signs and lights, AND a rest stop, that is pretty damn fast for me.

Patterson Pass

This climb deserves its own section. The Challenge loop started with this climb:

Profile for Patterson pass I found in the internets! Damn, I wish I had my Garmin for this ride...


I believe Cycle Buddy's comment immediately before this was, "Don't you dare take a fucking picture of me on this fucking hill."


Nothing like an average 6% grade (with about 3 steep tip ups) on a 4 mile climb to trigger an asthma attack. Fortunately, Julia recovered and was able to finish the ride.

Victory! We have survived Patterson Pass!

A big, pink sausage at the top of Patterson Pass. I really hope that is the wind puffing up my jacket. *sigh*

After the climb and a GLORIOUS descent, we came upon the only Challenge specific rest stop where we were surprised with a Cinderella Challenge pin. Very cool!

Challenge rest stop mascot enjoying a sunbath. I am embarrassed to say, I forgot her name, I think it was Sammy. If anyone knows I would love to know it.

The rest of the ride

Altamont Pass is typically a long, sufferfest through a wind tunnel, but we lucked out today and the wind left us alone.

Roadside cheering section during the climb on Altamont Pass. I call it "Cows at 6 mph"

We had a couple of more climbs, but nothing like Patterson Pass. When we rejoined the Classic course the final 30 miles were easy and heavenly. (In stark contrast to fucking Solvang that has the hardest climbs after mile 80, if may put on my 'Bitter Hat' for just a moment.)

Danville: Home of the Rich, Land of the Plastic, but, boy, they sure have a gorgeous bike trail.

Action shot of me and Cycle Buddy in Dublin.
I look like I am doing the evil genius laugh. Like I have hatched a master plan to take over the world. "On my purple bike and in pink jacket they will never see it coming! Muhwahwah..."

Post ride. Three smiles = rousing success!

We had a blast and I have my second almost century under my belt!