August 14, 2026
Host
Welcome back to The Socal Ultra. I'm Alex, and today I'm sitting down with Emory, a 52-year-old powerhouse from Team Terminatrix. She's a local favorite and she's about to take on the Cadence Collective Classic—a 1400-kilometer women's ultra event. Emory, thanks for being here.
Guest
Thanks, Alex. Honestly, it's great to talk about this. I've been training for months, and yeah, 1400k... it's a big, scary number, but I'm ready to roll.
Host
Before we dive into the race, your bike setup is fascinating. You're not on carbon like many racers—you ride a custom Seven titanium Axios. A lot of women riders actually avoid carbon. Why titanium for you?
Guest
Well, titanium just has this magic. It's compliant, so it absorbs road vibration—on a ride that long, comfort is everything. Plus, it's durable. I've had carbon frames, but for multi-day events, I trust titanium. It's like riding on a cloud, but still responsive. And honestly, the custom geometry fits me perfectly.
Host
And you're running a 12-speed 105 groupset, but with a 28/44 Rene Herse crankset for this classic. That's an unusual gear combination. Walk me through that choice.
Guest
Sure. The 28/44 gives me a huge range. The 28 tooth for the brutal climbs in the San Bernardino mountains, and the 44 for the flats and descents. I'm not trying to spin out; I'm trying to survive 105 hours. And with 105 shifters, I get reliable, easy-to-service mechanics. You don't want to mess with finicky electronic shifting out there when you're sleep-deprived.
Host
You've also got aerobars on this setup. I hear the worst part of this course isn't the climbing, but the headwinds. Is that true? Because those aerobars must be a lifesaver.
Guest
Oh, absolutely. The headwinds out near the high desert and coast can be brutal. Worse than climbing, honestly. You can gear down for a climb, but a headwind is just relentless. So aerobars are essential. Tuck in, lower your profile, and just grind. It saves so much energy, and on a ride like this, energy is everything.
Host
Your bike also has some custom touches—handlebar and saddle bags made by Emily at Dill Pickle Designs. I've heard it's actually incredibly aero. How do bags become aero?
Guest
Right? People think bags mean drag, but Emily is a genius. She makes these slim, custom bags that hug the bike and don't stick out. They're actually more aero than leaving things flapping on a rack. I can carry all my snacks, tools, extra clothes without sacrificing speed. It's a game-changer, and it looks like a futuristic adventure bike.
Host
And the saddle—another interesting choice. An extra-wide, short-nose Brooks C17. Not your typical racing saddle. You swear by it?
Guest
I do. The C17 is made of vulcanized rubber and cotton, so all-weather. The wide version gives support where I need it, and the short nose prevents chafing. On a ride that long, your contact points have to be perfect. This saddle disappears under me after an hour—it's my secret weapon.
Host
Now, let's talk about the event itself. The Cadence Collective Classic is a women-only hybrid of a race and a randonneuring brevet. 1400 kilometers, 105-hour time limit. For our listeners, can you break down what that hybrid means?
Guest
So, randonneuring is about self-sufficiency—you ride with a time limit, can stop whenever, but you have to check in at controls. The racing aspect adds a competitive layer. Some women will gun for the finish, others will just aim to complete. For me, it's personal. I want to do well, but I also want to enjoy the journey. I'm not afraid of the distance.
Host
This event is drawing an incredible international field. We're talking Meagan Killinen, the Tour Divide record holder; Jana Kesselhaur, the 24-hour TT world champ and 2026 Transcontinental winner; Fiona Kolberg, past TCR winner; Rinko Soma from Japan. It's a who's who of ultra endurance. Are you at all intimidated?
Guest
Not really. I mean, these are amazing women, but we're all out there doing the same distance. I've ridden enough long events to know it's your own race. Plus, I have the home advantage—I know these roads, where the winds hit, when to push and when to back off. So no, I'm not afraid.
Host
You're 52, and some might say age is a disadvantage. But in ultra-endurance, older women actually get faster. There's research behind that, right? Can you explain?
Guest
Absolutely. As women age, our muscle fiber composition shifts toward more slow-twitch fibers, which are more efficient for endurance. Mitochondrial density also increases, boosting energy production. And mentally, we've learned how to pace and manage discomfort. So in events lasting over 48 hours, the gender gap flips, and women, especially older women, consistently outperform men. It's not just anecdotal—studies back it up.
Host
Wait, consistently outperforming men after 48 hours? That's a bold claim. Give me a concrete example, like a race where the women's record actually beats the men's.
Guest
Sure. In the 2019 Race Across America, Sarah Cooper's women's record was only a few hours slower than the men's over 3000 miles. In some 24-hour ultra-distance events, women hold the distance records. I know a woman who rode 450 miles in 24 hours, beating most male competitors. It's real. Our bodies burn fat more efficiently, we handle sleep deprivation better. So at 52, I'm more confident than I was in my 30s.
Host
That's so inspiring. The Cadence Collective started as an online community during the pandemic, connecting women for long rides. Now it's this huge movement, and you're part of it. How does that feel?
Guest
It's really special. During the pandemic, it was a lifeline. Suddenly I had fifty other women to ride with, pushing each other. Now we're dominating ultra-racing, and events like this Classic are proof. The energy at the hub will be incredible. It's not just about racing; it's about community. We have this mantra: 'Ride Slow, Bring Snacks, Take Naps.'
Host
I've seen that banner, and the translations—French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean. It's a multilingual celebration. How important is that cultural element?
Guest
Huge. It tells everyone, no matter where you're from, you're welcome. It's an international summit—riders from France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Japan, the US. Everyone shares that same spirit: ride at your own pace, take care of yourself, enjoy the journey. It's inclusive, but also serious. We're here to ride, but we're here together.
Host
The format is a cloverleaf—four loops returning to a hub at Bonelli Bluffs near San Dimas. There's a village with meals, snacks, sleeping, drop bags. How does that change your strategy versus a point-to-point race?
Guest
The hub is a game-changer. You can leave drop bags, get hot food, even steal an hour of sleep in your own tent. My strategy is to sleep only 2 to 4 hours per day, mostly in the early morning. With the loops, I'm planning a reverse split—I'll go out harder on the first loop while fresh, then settle into a sustainable pace for the middle loops, and if there's anything left, push on the final loop. But the headwinds might force adjustments.
Host
Reverse split? That's risky. Most ultra riders start conservatively and build. Why go out hard?
Guest
Because I know the first loop well, and I can bank time before fatigue sets in. The hardest parts are later, with headwinds and climbing in loops two and three. If I build a cushion, I'll have room to suffer later. Plus, it's psychological—starting strong gives me confidence. But I'm careful not to blow up.
Host
Sponsors: gold sponsors like Compagnolo, Profile Aerobars, Pearl Izumi, but the platinum sponsor is Lifetime TV doing a documentary. How does it feel to have your story told while you're suffering on the bike?
Guest
It's about time women's ultra-endurance gets this attention. The crew plans to capture the gritty, emotional moments—self-doubt, the sunrise after a freezing night, the camaraderie. If my story can inspire one other woman to try a long ride, it's worth it. I'm happy to be part of that.
Host
The terrain is brutal: San Bernardino National Forest, high desert, mountains, coast. You mentioned headwinds, but what about the climbing? And you're running wide Rene Herse tires—48mm. How does that handle it?
Guest
Climbing is serious, thousands of feet each loop. But my gearing handles it, and I've trained on these roads. The descents are technical, so bike handling matters. Wide tires give me grip and comfort. Some think they're slow, but on rough roads, they're actually faster because you're not bouncing. Plus, the extra volume saves my body.
Host
Let's talk mental. 105 hours—over four days. How do you prepare mentally for that kind of sleep deprivation and suffering?
Guest
Sleep deprivation is the beast. You start hallucinating. I practice by doing long rides with minimal sleep, getting used to functioning on 2-3 hours a night. I break the ride into small goals—next control, next snack, next sunrise. And I remind myself it's voluntary. I chose this. That helps when it gets dark.
Host
The finish will have a live band and a celebration. What will crossing that line mean to you?
Guest
It'll mean everything. The months of training, the sacrifice, the pain—but also the community. When I see that banner and hear the band, I know I'll cry. I've done long rides, but this one feels different. It's a statement about what women over 50 can do.
Host
Before we wrap, any final thoughts for listeners who think this is insane?
Guest
It is insane! But so is anything worth doing. If you can ride 200k, you can do 400k. If you can do 600k, you can try a 1000k. It's just one pedal stroke at a time. And bring lots of snacks. And take naps.
Host
The Cadence Collective Classic is September 23rd to 27th. Emory, we'll be cheering you on. Good luck out there.
Guest
Thanks, Alex. I'll need it—especially if the wind picks up.
Host
That's it for this episode of The Socal Ultra. Thanks for listening, and remember: ride slow, bring snacks, take naps. See you at the start line. Goodbye, everyone.