August 13, 2026
Host
Welcome back to the show, folks. Today we’re talking about something that’s stirring up the ultra cycling world in a major way. As you may know, Paris-Brest-Paris—that epic 1200-kilometer randonnee that starts just outside Paris and goes to the coast and back—is happening again in 2027. But for the first time in its century-long history, the organizers have launched something called Wave F, a start wave dedicated entirely to women, with an audacious goal: to see a thousand female riders take off together. And if you’re wondering where this surge of female participation is coming from, look no further than the Cadence Collective, a grassroots movement that started as a quiet online forum for women over forty-five and has blossomed into a global powerhouse. We’re here to explore how it all connects, and trust me, you’re going to be inspired.
Guest
It’s so great to be here, and yes, it’s quite the story. The Cadence Collective really began, um, around 2012 or so, when a few women who were already deep into ultra cycling realized that the online forums and clubs were overwhelmingly male and not always welcoming. They wanted a space where they could talk honestly about the unique challenges they faced—like, you know, saddle comfort for a female anatomy, or how to train through menopause, or just balancing a 400-kilometer ride with a full-time job and family. So they set up a small group, and it exploded. Word spread that this was a place where you’d get knowledgeable, empathetic advice. Within a couple of years, it was international, and they started organizing real-world meetups. From that seed, a movement was born.
Host
That’s fascinating, but I’ve got to ask—how does a support group scale into something that can, say, influence the start line of the world’s most prestigious randonnee? I mean, I can see the emotional support being powerful, but turning that into a training juggernaut that actually produces top-level ultra athletes? Was there a specific turning point or, like, a secret sauce that made it click? It seems like a huge leap from forum posts to filling a thousand-rider women’s wave at PBP.
Guest
You’re right to ask that because emotional support is huge, but you need a framework to turn potential into performance. The turning point was when they created formal rider development programs. They brought in coaches, sports nutritionists, and experienced randonneuses to build, essentially, a curriculum. But it wasn’t just about intervals and mileage; it was holistic. They offered mentorship pairings, workshops on bike mechanics specifically for smaller hands, and even guidance on sleep strategies for multi-day events. And then, crucially, they launched their own events—the Cadence 600k in Colorado and the Cadence 1400k in California. These weren’t just social rides; they were officially recognized qualifiers for PBP, but with an atmosphere that was incredibly supportive. Suddenly, women who might have been intimidated by the typical brevet experience had a safe, empowering gateway. That’s when the numbers really started to climb.
Host
I see, so they essentially built their own pipeline. Instead of hoping women would stumble into qualifiers, they created a clear path with the exact events needed, plus the community to back it up. And they designed these events not just as training rides, but as fully supported, official qualifiers that tick all the boxes for PBP registration. Tell me more about these specific events—the 600k in Colorado sounds brutal with the altitude, and the 1400k in California must be an entirely different beast.
Guest
Oh, they’re incredible. The Colorado 600k winds through the Rockies, and you’re climbing up above ten thousand feet multiple times. The air is thin, the descents are technical, and weather can change in an instant. But you’re surrounded by other women who are all encouraging each other, handing out gels, fixing flats together. It’s a powerful sisterhood on two wheels. The California 1400k, on the other hand, follows the coast from San Francisco down past Big Sur and back, and it has this relentless rhythm of climbs and coastal headwinds that just batter you for days. But again, the energy is electric because you’re not out there alone; the Cadence volunteers are at the controles cheering you on. Both events have become legendary, and they serve as a rite of passage. Many women finish them and immediately register for PBP, knowing they’ve been tested in a supportive environment.
Host
Now, I can’t resist poking a little fun here, but also with genuine admiration. We keep hearing this narrative that after forty, we’re supposed to be winding down, but the Cadence women seem to be winding up. The average age of a member is, what, fifty? Fifty-five? And yet they’re crushing it at the national level. Is there some sort of Benjamin Button effect going on, or is it just that, um, wisdom and patience trump youthful legs when the race is a thousand kilometers long?
Guest
Ha! Well, I’d love to claim it’s some reverse aging potion, but it’s really about experience. You see, ultra cycling, especially a 90-hour event like PBP, is only about a third physical. The rest is mental endurance, pacing, and problem-solving. Women in their forties, fifties, and beyond have spent decades dealing with discomfort—whether from childbirth, long work hours, or caregiving. They’ve developed this incredible resilience and a low tolerance for, you know, dramatic suffering. They just get on with it. Also, they’re less likely to go out too fast. They ride steady, they eat on schedule, they manage their sleep deficits better. It’s like they’ve figured out the cheat codes for ultra endurance. And because the community is so tight, they share these strategies openly. So yes, they’re dominating not despite their age, but because of it.
Host
I’d love to put a face to that. I mean, statistics are great, but stories really bring it home. Can you share a quick story about one rider who really encapsulates this transformation? Someone who maybe joined the Cadence Collective as a nervous newbie and ended up doing extraordinary things that she never would have dreamed of?
Guest
Absolutely. There’s a woman—let’s call her Sarah—who joined the online forum in 2016. She was 52, had just gone through a divorce, and had never ridden farther than a metric century. She was scared of night riding, scared of traffic, scared she wasn’t strong enough. But the community welcomed her, and she signed up for a mentorship. Her mentor, a 60-year-old with multiple PBPs under her belt, slowly built her up. Two years later, Sarah finished the Colorado 600k. Fast forward to 2023, and she completed the Transcontinental Race, a self-supported race across Europe. She later told me, ‘I never would have believed I could do this if it weren’t for the women who showed me it was possible.’ And she’s now a mentor herself, guiding three newcomers toward Wave F. That’s the ripple effect in action.
Host
That’s a beautiful story, and it echoes what we’re seeing on the leaderboards. I’ve been looking at results from events like the Race Across America qualifying races, the 24-hour time trials, even the biggest gravel ultras, and it’s becoming common to see women in their late forties, fifties, and sixties landing on the overall podium, not just in the women’s category. How much of that do you think is directly attributable to the Cadence Collective’s ecosystem versus just a broader shift in the sport?
Guest
I’d say the Cadence Collective is a major catalyst. It’s not that talented women didn’t exist before; it’s that they didn’t have the same access to structured development, mentorship, and a community that celebrates their ambition rather than questioning it. When you have a hundred women all training for the same 1200k, they push each other. They share data, they do virtual challenges, they chase each other on Strava. It fosters a competitive but cooperative environment. One recent example: at the Furnace Creek 508, a qualifier for RAAM, the top three women were all Cadence members, and the first placed woman was fifty-nine. She broke the course record that had stood for a decade. So, yes, I think the collective is creating a space where excellence is nurtured and normalized.
Host
Fifty-nine and a course record! That’s unreal. It also forces me to ask a somewhat uncomfortable question: with all this momentum, some might worry that Wave F could be seen as a token gesture—a 'separate but equal' wave that sidesteps the real issue of integration. How do you respond to that criticism, or do you see it differently?
Guest
It’s a valid concern, and one we’ve discussed deeply within the community. But Wave F isn’t about segregation; it’s about concentration. All riders, regardless of wave, ride the same course under the same time limit. The goal of a thousand women is symbolic—to create a critical mass that shifts the perception of who belongs. For many first-timers, especially those who might feel vulnerable, starting in a group of supportive women can be the difference between signing up and staying home. And let’s be clear: the demand is organic. The PBP organization saw the registration numbers surging and responded. This isn’t a quota being forced; it’s a celebration of what’s already happened. The ultimate aim is that someday, the field will be so naturally diverse that a women’s wave won’t be necessary. But until then, Wave F is a strategic tool to break down barriers.
Host
That makes a lot of sense. So it’s not about creating a separate race, but providing an onramp that can help normalize the presence of large numbers of women in the event. And I can see how that visibility inspires even more women to give it a try, creating a virtuous cycle where each new finisher becomes a role model, and you know, the numbers just keep climbing, which is exactly the goal.
Guest
Exactly. And the ripple effects are going far beyond PBP. We’re seeing Cadence Collective chapters pop up in Japan, Germany, South Africa, and Colombia. Women are connecting across borders, sharing routes, and forming international teams for other ultras. The dream is that by 2031, or maybe even sooner, we won’t need to talk about a 'women’s movement' in ultra cycling because it will just be the norm. But for now, the momentum is unstoppable, and I can’t wait to stand at the start of Wave F and feel the energy of a thousand women rolling out together into the night.
Host
What an incredible journey. From a small online forum for women over forty-five to a global force that’s reshaping endurance cycling, the Cadence Collective has truly shown what community can achieve. With their development programs, their own qualifying events, and now the historic Wave F aiming for a thousand women at Paris-Brest-Paris in 2027, they’re not just breaking records—they’re building an entirely new legacy. I want to thank you for painting such a vivid picture of this movement and for reminding us that it’s never too late to start chasing those big, audacious goals.
Guest
Thank you. It’s been a pleasure. And to any woman out there listening, whether you’re 25 or 75, if you’ve ever looked at a map and wondered how far you could go, know that there’s a community ready to support you. Come find us online, show up at a ride, and you’ll discover that your limits are far beyond what you imagine. We’ll see you on the road to Brest!
Host
What a wonderful place to leave it. To all our listeners, if you’re intrigued, I encourage you to check out the Cadence Collective, maybe even register for one of their events. And who knows—maybe you’ll be one of those thousand women rolling out in Wave F in 2027, making history pedal by pedal. Until next time, keep the rubber side down and ride far. Bonne route, everyone!