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FROM THE SUMMIT
In 1993, there were a mere six or seven active women club members available to provide training and motivation to approximately fifteen wives, girlfriends, or co-workers of club members representing the “other” gender. These women were encouraged to join our group with the promise of completing their first 100K organized event. Lucky for us, there were one or two members of our training group who provided enough mechanical expertise to recognize that many of the bikes being ridden by our trainees were far from road worthy. In order to provide the “guaranteed success” for our trainees, one of the trainers emptied her personal stable of reliable two-wheeled steeds to a number of eager women. In those days, despite the lack of a bike rodeo, bike check, orientation, multiple groups representing a number of fitness levels, etc, the trainees were non-the-less extremely motivated. These women were motivated by the promise of attaining a fitness level capable of completing 62 miles through progressively more difficult training miles and ending with a trip around Calaveras reservoir. In those days, these women were told “there is nothing on the actual Cinderella as difficult as Calaveras but, if you can complete this ride, you will have nothing to worry about when you ride the Cinderella.” No woman dared doubt the truth of this statement because, after all, we were all sleek, fit and physically intimidating women capable of joining their husbands, boyfriends and co-workers on arduous cycling adventures. Of the fifteen women who started those rides in 1993, all of them completed the eight-week training series and successfully completed the Cinderella Classic. Even the afternoon rain showers could not dampen their resolve and determination. Many of the tired trainers waiting in the school cafeteria following their own dry and delightful ride were greeted and warmed by the happy smiles and hugs from our soaked-to-the-skin trainees. The Cinderella Training rides have grown from the original motley crew of 5 or 6 trainers and 15 trainees to a slate of 26 trainers and over 100 women registering to participate in 2007. Many of this year’s trainers were selected from the ever growing group of earlier training ride trainees. Much more thought has gone into the planning of recent training rides, i.e., a bike rodeo, bike check and orientation were added to the schedule of planned events, a safety training syllabus was added to a Cinderella web page, the routes have grown from a total of 8 rides to 10 with the farthest distance being 56 miles including many more hills and reaching farther destinations. Nutrition information, clothing selection guides, bicycle selection guides, instructions for changing a flat tire and a list of frequently asked questions were also added to an ever growing Cinderella web page. Irregardless, the trainees are no less enthusiastic, the trainers no less sleek, fit and intimidating. Additionally, our overall success can be measured by the growth of experienced women cyclists in the Bay Area and the number of copy-cat women’s Cinderella Training available. In the early 1980’s and 1990’s, the number of women joining me and my friends rarely exceeded 1,000 women. This year, the Valley Spokesmen restricted the number of available spots to 2,500 women and registration filled up and closed two weeks after applications were mailed out. Until next time, good riding, be safe and support your favorite bicycle club by volunteering to lead a ride, assist on a committee or help make the 35th Primavera Century the success the bicycling community expects.
Karen White |
This year marks the 31st year for the Valley Spokesmen’s sponsored Cinderella Classic and the 14th year FFBC has provided training rides geared to help all motivated women complete this classic women’s 100K.