The Cinderella Century went well, 65 miles with only a little bit of climbing. I finished it in 4:45 at an average speed of 13.5 mph – would have been faster except that there were HORDES of stop signs along the final two hours of the route. Felt great the entire time, except for my butt – I had a lot of pain in my right side from the saddle. I can’t figure it – this is the first time I’ve had saddle pain, and I’ve been using this brand of saddle for years. I’m wondering if it’s a fit issue, or if the saddle is ever so slightly tilted, or ?? I’m puzzled, but I know I have to get this sorted out if I’m going to do the Death Ride this year.
Anyway, it was a nice (if overly flat) training ride for the Death Ride, and it’s nice to know I can turn in a 65-mile ride with no problems. Now all I have to do is add hills to that, and increase the speed a bit…
Oh, and of course I was FABULOUS.
Wow, love the outfit!! I’m so glad you share the pictures with us.
Sorry to hear about the soreness, and I hope you get it worked out before the Death Ride!
you look fabulous, Tien! I think this is the best tutu I’ve seen of yours except maybe the white and gold one. bravo!
Best. Tutu. Ever!
My son and I sagged the Cinderella Challenge — a 30 mile or so extra loop to the 65 mile Classic course that you did. Much hillier than the Classic — it goes over Patterson Pass and up Carroll through the Flynn’s. Great outfit for the Cinderella — wish you’d have ridden our leg of the course!
Having done the Death Ride twice, I would suggest that you focus on long, sustained climbs in the saddle by early May. There is nothing really that steep in the Death Ride, but you need to be able to ride multiple 10 mile climbs to succeed. Mount Diablo is about the right distance and elevation gain to match up with the two Monitor climbs and the 1st Ebbetts climb. The concerns over the ride taking place at high elevation are overblown. Go up the night before, ride at a conservative pace, and you’ll be fine. You can avoid the cattle call at the rest stops by stopping at rest stops mid-descent instead of at the bottom or top of climbs. Oh, and be ready for the headwind climbing to Carson Pass.