August 13, 2026
Host
Welcome to our deep dive today on what might be the most intimidating event in sports right now: the Cadence Collective Classic. A fourteen-hundred-kilometer, women-only ultra-endurance race set to roll out September twenty-third through the twenty-seventh. I'll be honest, just thinking about that distance makes my legs ache.
Guest
You're not alone. Eight hundred and seventy miles in one push, with a hundred-and-five-hour time limit. It's the kind of event that rewires your definition of what's possible. And the fact that it's exclusively for women? That's a statement.
Host
A huge statement. The Cadence Collective started as a way to connect women forty-five and older in Southern California who were into ultra-distance riding. Now it's a global movement, and this race is its crown jewel.
Guest
Exactly. It grew organically through the pandemic, when people were craving connection and challenge. Those riders kept pushing, and now they're dominating the ultra-racing circuit. This event is their summit.
Host
And what a summit it is. We're expecting several hundred participants, from local SoCal crews to international teams from France, Germany, Spain, Japan, South Korea. The lineup reads like a who's who of ultra-cycling.
Guest
It's staggering. Meagan Killinen, the Tour Divide record holder. Jana Kesselhaur, who won the Transcontinental Race and is the world twenty-four-hour time trial champion. Fiona Kolberg, another past TCR winner. Rinko Soma, the Shizuoka thousand-kilometer champion. These women ride insane distances faster than almost anyone.
Host
And they're not just pros. There's a brevet option for those who want RUSA or ACP completion credit. So you have elite racers and dedicated amateurs all tackling the same fourteen hundred K. That's a unique blend.
Guest
It creates a shared experience. The pros might be going for the win, but everyone out there is fighting the same course, the same sleep deprivation, the same mental battles. The brevet riders are just as inspirational.
Host
Let's talk about that course. It's a cloverleaf format—four loops returning to a central hub at Bonelli Bluffs RV campground near San Dimas. That hub becomes a village with meals, snacks, sleeping areas, drop bags.
Guest
The cloverleaf is brilliant. It gives riders a chance to resupply and rest without leaving the race. But those loops are brutal: San Bernardino National Forest, high desert, mountains, and coast. It's a tour of Southern California's toughest terrain.
Host
And it's fully unsupported. Unlike the pro peloton with their three-to-six-hour stages, support cars, mechanics, soigneurs—here, riders are on their own for a hundred and five hours. That's pure ultra-endurance.
Guest
That's where the discipline really separates itself. In the pro ranks, you have a team managing every detail. Here, you're your own mechanic, nutritionist, and motivator. It's a test of self-reliance as much as fitness. And interestingly, this is where women often outperform men over the long haul.
Host
That's a fascinating point. We've seen data that the performance gap narrows over distance, and past forty-eight hours, women actually outpace men. What's behind that?
Guest
Physiology plays a big role. As women age, they tend to increase slow-twitch muscle fiber ratios and mitochondrial density. That maximizes long-haul energy efficiency. It's like their bodies are built for this kind of sustained effort.
Host
So the older women dominating these races isn't a fluke—it's biology. The Cadence Collective's original focus on women forty-five and up was tapping into something real.
Guest
Absolutely. And it's not just about winning; it's about redefining what's possible at any age. The mantra of the collective says it all: 'Ride Slow, Bring Snacks, Take Naps.' They even have it on a banner in French, German, Spanish, Korean, and Japanese.
Host
I love that. It's such a humble, practical philosophy for something so extreme. It almost makes fourteen hundred kilometers sound cozy.
Guest
It's the secret sauce. Ultra-endurance isn't about hammering the whole way; it's about managing effort, eating constantly, and stealing sleep when you can. That mantra keeps riders grounded.
Host
And the event has some serious backing. Platinum sponsor Lifetime TV is producing a documentary, highlighting personal stories against the backdrop of this grueling race. Gold sponsors include Campagnolo, Profile Design, Pearl Izumi, Muck-Off, Park Tool, Continental.
Guest
That's a huge vote of confidence. Lifetime's involvement means these women's stories will reach a massive audience. It's not just a race; it's a platform for inspiration.
Host
But let's address the elephant in the room: this event is scary. The distance, the unsupported nature, the sleep deprivation. Is it too dangerous?
Guest
That's a fair challenge. Ultra-endurance always carries risk. But these riders are qualified—they've completed a Super Randonneur series or equivalent. They know what they're getting into. The event provides a hub, medical support, and a community. It's as safe as such an extreme endeavor can be.
Host
And the qualification requirement is no joke: a two-hundred, three-hundred, four-hundred, and six-hundred-kilometer series. That weeds out anyone unprepared.
Guest
Exactly. These women have proven they can handle the distance. The race is just the next step. And the finish line celebration—with a live band—will be an emotional release after a hundred and five hours of grit.
Host
I can only imagine the scenes at that finish. Riders rolling in after days of pushing their limits, greeted by music and a community that understands exactly what they've achieved.
Guest
It's going to be electric. And the documentary will capture those raw moments—the tears, the hugs, the sheer relief. This event is about more than racing; it's about human resilience.
Host
You've mentioned the international field. How does the presence of riders like Meagan Killinen and Jana Kesselhaur change the dynamic?
Guest
It elevates the entire event. These are legends. Their participation draws attention and inspires the amateurs. But in ultra-racing, anyone can have a great day—or a bad one. The course doesn't care about your palmares.
Host
That's the beauty of it. A local rider who knows the terrain might have an edge over an international star. It's unpredictable.
Guest
And the cloverleaf format adds strategy. Do you push hard on the first loop to build a lead, or conserve energy for the later, tougher loops? The desert and mountain sections will be decisive.
Host
Let's talk about the unsupported aspect again. In a world where pro cycling is so pampered, why do you think women are drawn to this raw, self-sufficient style?
Guest
I think it's about agency. In unsupported racing, you're in complete control. There's no team car to fix your bike or hand you a bottle. It's empowering. And for women, who have often been sidelined in traditional cycling, this discipline offers a level playing field where endurance, not just raw power, wins.
Host
That's a powerful point. And the Cadence Collective's growth shows there's a huge appetite for this kind of challenge. The pandemic may have been the catalyst, but the movement has legs.
Guest
It's not slowing down. This race will likely become a fixture on the ultra calendar. The combination of elite competition, community, and media coverage is a recipe for growth.
Host
What about the mental side? A hundred and five hours is a long time to be alone with your thoughts, even with other riders around.
Guest
Mental fortitude is everything. You'll have dark moments—literally and figuratively. The riders who succeed are the ones who can break the race into small pieces, focus on the next checkpoint, and lean on the mantra: ride slow, bring snacks, take naps.
Host
And the hub village must be a mental lifeline. Knowing you can get a hot meal and a nap every loop probably keeps a lot of riders going.
Guest
Absolutely. It's a psychological anchor. You're never too far from base, even when you're deep in the San Bernardino National Forest. That design is genius for morale.
Host
Let's circle back to the physiology. You mentioned slow-twitch fibers and mitochondrial density. Is that why we see so many masters women at the front of these races?
Guest
Yes, and it's not just women—older athletes in general can excel at ultra-distances. But women seem to have an additional advantage in fat metabolism and pain tolerance over extreme durations. The research is still emerging, but the results speak for themselves.
Host
So the Cadence Collective's focus on women over forty-five was prescient. They were ahead of the curve.
Guest
They saw a need and filled it. Now they're leading the conversation. This race will showcase that age is not a barrier; it's an asset.
Host
What about the gear? With sponsors like Campagnolo and Profile Design, are we seeing any tech innovations tailored to ultra-endurance?
Guest
Definitely. Aerobars are standard for comfort over long hours. Lighting systems are critical for night riding. And nutrition has become a science—riders will be using everything from real food to precision gels. The unsupported nature means reliability trumps weight savings.
Host
And the documentary will likely dive into those gear choices, the personal stories behind them. Lifetime TV knows how to tell a compelling human narrative.
Guest
I'm excited to see how they balance the race action with the backstories. Every rider out there has a reason for doing this—whether it's overcoming illness, proving something to themselves, or just the love of the ride.
Host
And the finish line celebration with a live band—that's going to be a cathartic moment. After days of suffering, to cross that line and be greeted by music and cheers.
Guest
It'll be a party. And the fact that it's women-only adds a layer of solidarity. These riders will have shared an experience that few can understand. The bonds formed out there will last a lifetime.
Host
As we wrap up, what's the one thing you want our listeners to take away about the Cadence Collective Classic?
Guest
That this event is a testament to what women can achieve when they support each other and push boundaries. It's scary, yes, but it's also profoundly inspiring. These riders are redefining endurance sports, and we should all be paying attention.
Host
Beautifully said. The Cadence Collective Classic runs September twenty-third to twenty-seventh. If you're anywhere near Southern California, go witness history. And keep an eye out for that Lifetime documentary. Thanks for joining us today.
Guest
Thank you. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Host
And to our listeners, ride safe, and maybe bring some snacks. Goodbye.