August 13, 2026
Host
Welcome back. Today we're diving into what I honestly believe is the scariest thing in sports right now—the Cadence Collective Classic. It's a women's only ultra-endurance cycling event, fourteen hundred kilometers, that's over eight hundred and seventy miles, with a time limit of just one hundred and five hours. And it's happening September twenty-third through twenty-seventh. I'll be glued to the dot-watching map, and I can't wait to unpack this.
Guest
It's absolutely terrifying in the best way. Fourteen hundred kilometers unsupported, through Southern California's toughest terrain. This isn't a stage race with support cars and mechanics. Riders are out there alone, navigating brutal loops, managing their own food, sleep, and repairs. It's pure endurance.
Host
And it's women only. That's a huge statement. The Cadence Collective started as a way to connect women forty-five and older in Southern California's ultra scene, but it's exploded into this global movement. How did that happen?
Guest
It grew organically during the pandemic. Women were seeking connection and challenge, and the Collective provided both. They built a community around long-distance riding, and now their riders are dominating the ultra-racing circuit worldwide. This event is the culmination of that energy—a summit for the most incredible endurance athletes on the planet.
Host
And the lineup is a who's who of international ultra-cycling. Meagan Killinen, the Tour Divide record holder. Jana Kesselhaur, the twenty-twenty-six Transcontinental Race winner and World twenty-four-hour TT champion. Fiona Kolberg, past TCR winner. Rinko Soma, Shizuoka thousand-kilometer winner. These women ride insane distances faster than almost anyone.
Guest
Exactly. And they're not just fast—they're resilient. The field also includes seasoned randonneuses from France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, and local Southern California crews. It's an international celebration of women's endurance. The fact that they all qualified by completing a Super Randonneur series or equivalent just underscores the depth of talent.
Host
Let's talk about the route, because it's designed to be both spectator-friendly and utterly punishing. 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, and drop bags.
Guest
Right, and each loop explores a different facet of Southern California. You've got the San Bernardino National Forest, high desert, mountains, and the coast. It's not just distance; it's cumulative elevation gain and weather extremes. Riders will face everything from scorching heat to chilly nights, all while managing their own pace and nutrition.
Host
And the time limit—one hundred and five hours for fourteen hundred kilometers. That's an average of over thirteen kilometers per hour, including all stops. For context, that's like riding a double century every day for nearly four and a half days straight, on terrain that never flattens out.
Guest
It's brutal. But here's the fascinating part: older women tend to dominate these ultra distances. Physiology plays a huge role. As women age, they develop higher ratios of slow-twitch muscle fibers and increased mitochondrial density, which maximizes long-haul energy efficiency. Past forty-eight hours, the performance gap between men and women not only closes—women often outpace men.
Host
That's incredible. So the Cadence Collective's mantra—'Ride Slow, Bring Snacks, Take Naps'—isn't just cute, it's scientifically sound. They even have it translated into French, German, Spanish, Korean, and Japanese on a banner at the hub.
Guest
Exactly. It's a philosophy of sustainable suffering. You can't hammer for a hundred hours; you have to manage your effort, eat constantly, and steal sleep when you can. The best ultra-racers are masters of micro-naps and calorie math. And the hub setup makes that possible—riders can grab a quick meal, change kit, and head back out.
Host
This event is backed by some serious sponsors too. Platinum sponsor Lifetime TV is producing a documentary, highlighting the personal stories behind the grit. And gold sponsors include Campagnolo, Profile Design, Pearl Izumi, Muc-Off, Park Tool, and Continental. That's a huge vote of confidence in women's ultra-cycling.
Guest
It's a turning point. For years, women's endurance sports didn't get this level of media attention. Lifetime's documentary will capture the emotional journey—the doubts, the camaraderie, the moments of sheer will. And the brand support means these athletes have access to top-tier equipment, which is critical when you're self-supported.
Host
And unlike the pro peloton, where stages are three to six hours with full support, here it's one hundred and five hours of self-reliance. No team cars, no mechanics. If a derailleur snaps in the desert at 2 a.m., you fix it yourself or you're out. That mental fortitude is what makes these women so inspirational.
Guest
Absolutely. It's a test of problem-solving under extreme fatigue. I've seen riders MacGyver repairs with zip ties and duct tape, then push on for another three hundred kilometers. That's the spirit of randonneuring—self-sufficiency. And the fact that this event offers both a race and a brevet option for RUSA/ACP credit means it welcomes everyone from elite racers to those just wanting to finish within the time limit.
Host
So the brevet side—riders can just aim for completion credit, not necessarily race? That opens the door for hundreds of women who might not be on the start line of a pro race.
Guest
Exactly. The brevet time limit is the same one hundred and five hours, but the focus is on finishing, not podium. It's a personal challenge. Many of these riders are local club members, working moms, retirees—women who've built up to this distance over years. The event is as much about community as competition.
Host
And the finish celebration sounds epic—a live band, a huge party at the hub. After one hundred and five hours of suffering, that must feel like a dream. I can't wait to watch the dots crawl across the map, knowing each one represents a woman pushing her absolute limits.
Guest
It's going to be emotional. The documentary will capture those finish-line moments—tears, hugs, the sheer relief. And for the dot-watchers, it's addictive. You'll see riders stop for a nap, then suddenly start moving again at dawn. It's a narrative unfolding in real time.
Host
Let's talk about the international field again. Jana Kesselhaur, for example—she's a world champion in the twenty-four-hour time trial and won the Transcontinental. How does her skill set translate to this kind of cloverleaf format?
Guest
Her time trial background means she's incredibly efficient at pacing and aerodynamics, even on a standard road bike. But the TCR win shows she can navigate, manage sleep deprivation, and handle mixed terrain. The cloverleaf format actually plays to her strengths because she can dial in her nutrition and rest strategy at the hub, then execute each loop like a long time trial.
Host
And Meagan Killinen—Tour Divide record holder. That's a completely different beast: off-road, self-supported, through the Rockies. How does that experience prepare her for Southern California pavement and desert?
Guest
The Tour Divide demands relentless forward motion, often at altitude, with minimal resupply. Killinen's mental toughness is off the charts. She's used to riding through the night, dealing with mechanicals alone, and managing extreme fatigue. The Cadence Collective Classic will feel almost luxurious with the hub support, but the distance and time pressure are just as intense.
Host
And then there's the local crews—Southern California riding groups who've been training on these roads for years. They'll have home-court advantage, knowing every climb and wind pattern. That could be a huge factor.
Guest
Definitely. Local knowledge of microclimates, road surfaces, and even where to find water can save hours. But the international riders are so experienced that they'll adapt quickly. The real wildcard is how each rider's body holds up over four days. You can't fake endurance; it's earned through thousands of training miles.
Host
So, 'Ride Slow, Bring Snacks, Take Naps'—is that actually a winning strategy, or just a charming slogan?
Guest
It's absolutely a winning strategy. The riders who try to hammer from the start inevitably blow up. The ones who pace themselves, eat before they're hungry, and sleep before they hallucinate—those are the ones who finish strong. I've seen riders take a twenty-minute nap and come back faster than before. It's counterintuitive, but rest is a performance enhancer.
Host
What's the scariest part of this event for you, as someone who's followed ultra-cycling for years?
Guest
Honestly, it's the cumulative sleep deprivation combined with technical descents. After two days without proper sleep, reaction times slow, and judgment gets fuzzy. The San Bernardino loops have steep, winding descents. One moment of inattention could be catastrophic. That's why the hub's sleeping area is so critical—it's a safety net.
Host
And the documentary will capture all of that—the vulnerability, the courage. Lifetime TV is known for heartfelt storytelling. This could bring a whole new audience to ultra-cycling.
Guest
It's exactly what the sport needs. When people see these women—mothers, grandmothers, professionals—pushing through unimaginable fatigue, they'll realize that extraordinary endurance is within reach for anyone willing to train smart and embrace the suck. It's deeply inspirational.
Host
So mark your calendars: September twenty-third through twenty-seventh. I'll be dot-watching obsessively, cheering on every single rider. The Cadence Collective Classic isn't just a race; it's a movement proving that women's ultra-endurance is the pinnacle of human performance. Thanks for joining me to break it down.
Guest
Thank you. It's going to be an unforgettable event. And to all the riders out there: ride slow, bring snacks, take naps. We'll be watching.
Host
That's all for today. Until next time, keep the rubber side down.