August 14, 2026
Host
Welcome back to The Socal Ultra. I'm Alex, and I have to say, looking at the sports calendar right now, the scariest thing happening—by far—is not a downhill mountain bike stage or some gravel grinder in the heat. It's the Cadence Collective Classic. Fourteen hundred kilometers, women only. And it's happening right here, September twenty-third through twenty-seventh. I'll be watching the GPS dots for this one. Today I'm sitting down with one of the local riders who is absolutely not afraid of it. Jenna from Team Terminatrix, fifty-eight years young, and someone who might just rewrite the script on what a contender looks like. Jenna, thanks for being here.
Guest
Thanks, Alex. Happy to be here. And I'll just say, scary is the right word for this event, but I've been preparing for it all season. I'm not losing sleep over it—well, I'll be losing a lot of sleep during the ride, but you know what I mean.
Host
I do want to get into that sleep strategy, because you're talking two to four hours a day on a ride like this. But first, I have to ask about your bike, because when I saw it, I thought, 'Wait, that's not what I expected from an ultra racer.' You're riding a steel Crust Lightning Bolt Canti, with downtube shifters but with carbon brake levers. A lot of people would call that retro. What's the thinking there?
Guest
It's a mix of classic and honestly ultra-high tech, just not carbon frameset. I avoid carbon for very long distances. Steel soaks up road vibration, it's repairable anywhere, and that Lightning Bolt frame fits me perfectly. It's a custom build. The ten-speed groupset with indexed downtube shifters—that's deliberate. No battery to fail, no electronic shifting to glitch, and I can feel exactly what gear I'm in without looking. I can fix a cable using a multi tool with my eyes closed. It's reliable.
Host
So you're giving up the convenience of integrated brake-shift levers and you have to reach down to the downtube. On an eight-hundred-seventy-mile ride, does that not become a hassle, especially when you're in the aerobars?
Guest
Not really. I have my aerobars set up so I can reach the downtube lever while still staying aero, it just took some practice. And honestly, with a triple crankset—26, 38, 48—I need that precise shifting for the brutal climbs in San Bernardino National Forest. You don't want a missed shift when you're grinding up a fire road at three in the morning. It's simple, but it works. Plus, I'm running a dynamo hub and a Son Ladeluxe light, so I don't worry about batteries for lighting or GPS computer either. That technology is proven, but it's modern at the same time.
Host
And I noticed the wide Rene Herse 42mm tires, which is another choice that's not what you'd see on a pure road race bike. Are those necessary for this course?
Guest
Absolutely. The loops include pavement, but also some high desert dirt and broken back roads. A 42-millimeter 650b tire at lower pressure floats over that stuff. It's actually faster overall because you lose less energy to vibration. It's also way more comfortable, and comfort equals efficiency over a hundred and five hours. I don't want my hands and back destroyed after the first loop.
Host
And I have to mention the traditional rando bag up front. At first glance, it looks like something from a 1950s touring bike. But I've heard you argue it's actually aerodynamic. Can you explain that, because that seems counterintuitive?
Guest
It's totally aero, believe it or not. A well-packed rando bag acts like a fairing. It smooths the airflow around your hands and the front of the bike. Wind tunnel tests done by Bicycle Quarterly have shown that a bag like this can actually reduce drag compared to a bare handlebar setup. And the best part? Everything is accessible while pedaling—my snacks, my cue sheet, my arm warmers all at my fingertips while pedaling. I don't have to stop or dig into frame bags in the dark. It's functional and fast.
Host
You hear that, folks? A rando bag as an aero hack. Okay, so the machine is dialed. But the real question is the engine. You're fifty-eight, and you're lining up against women who are twenty years younger, world champions six years younger, record holders. Yet science says you might actually have an advantage. Can you talk about that?
Guest
It's one of the fascinating things about ultra-endurance. As women age, there's a shift in muscle fiber composition—we tend to have a higher proportion of slow-twitch fibers, which are perfect for sustained efforts. And mitochondrial density actually increases with age in women, making us more efficient at burning fat for fuel. So over truly long events—multiple days—the gender gap in cycling narrows, and at around forty-eight hours, it flips. Older women become consistently faster than men covering the same distance. So I'm not worried about my age. In many ways, it's my secret weapon.
Host
I've seen that data. It's astounding. So for this event, fourteen hundred kilometers, a hundred and five hours, you're in your element. But let's talk strategy. You said you're planning a negative split, which is bold for such a long race. Most people would go out hard and hang on. What's your approach?
Guest
The negative split is critical because the hardest loops—the ones through the mountains and the coast—are later. I'm going to start conservatively, ride within myself, maybe even slower than I feel I can go, for the first two hundred miles. That way I won't burn matches early. The real battle will be the headwinds. To me, headwinds are worse than climbing. On a climb you know it'll end; a headwind just grinds you mentally and physically hour after hour. I'll save my energy for that second half, and then I'll unleash everything I have. Sleep will happen in short blocks, two to four hours total each night, at the hub.
Host
Two to four hours of sleep a day, while pushing huge miles. That's intimidating. The hub is at Bonelli Bluffs RV campground, right? A cloverleaf format—four loops returning there. So you can refuel and maybe grab a nap. But I wonder if the mental aspect of leaving that warm hub and heading back out into the dark is the hardest part.
Guest
You're right. Leaving the hub is mentally tough. You see other riders resting, you smell food, you might want to just curl up. But I'll have a schedule. I'll eat, sleep for exactly my planned time, and then go. I'll tell myself, 'Jenna, you've ridden through the night a hundred times. This is just another night.' Having a mantra helps—and that banner, 'Ride Slow, Bring Snacks, Take Naps,' in multiple languages, I'll keep seeing it. It's a reminder to stay steady.
Host
Speaking of which, the Cadence Collective has a whole philosophy around that mantra. The Cadence Collective started as an online community before the pandemic, right? Connecting women over forty-five who wanted to ride long distances. How did that community become this massive international event?
Guest
It began as just a few women in Southern California finding each other online. In a sport that can feel isolating, especially for older women who were told they're not tough enough, not fast enough, or that riding at night isn't safe—finding a tribe was everything. During the pandemic, suddenly dozens of women were pairing up for long rides, sharing tips, and discovering they could go further than they ever imagined. Post-pandemic, those same women started dominating ultra races. The collective grew into a movement. And now, it's this summit: an event that's entirely women-only. It's a celebration of what we can do.
Host
And the international field this year is staggering. I mean, you've got Meagan Killinen, the Tour Divide record holder. Jana Kesselhaur, the current twenty-four-hour world champion and Transcontinental Race winner. Fiona Kolberg, past Transcontinental winner. Rinko Soma from Japan, who's conquered the Shizuoka 1000k riding to the summit of mount Fuji. These are the who's who of ultra cycling. How does a local rider like you—with all respect—line up against that?
Guest
I'm not intimidated, honestly. I've been doing weekly century-plus rides for years. I know these roads. I know the climbs. I've done multiple 1200k and 1000k rides, so the distance itself isn't new. And in ultra racing, experience often beats raw speed. A lot of those champions are incredible athletes, but they haven't ridden these specific loops. The San Bernardino National Forest can be tricky with weather changes, the high desert winds, the coastal fog. I've trained on all of it. I think my consistency can threaten the big names. And I don't have the pressure of sponsorship expectations. I'm just here to ride my own race. It's just a local collective rider and the other riders from the collective, including the overseas riders.
Host
That's a strong statement. The event has major corporate sponsors, though—Compagnolo, Pearl Izumi, Continental tires—but the platinum sponsor is Lifetime TV, who are filming a documentary. That adds a whole new layer. Have you thought about what it means to be documented while you're suffering out there?
Guest
I think it's great. Lifetime is going to capture the real stories—women being told they can't ride at night, they're not tough enough, and then seeing them spin down a forest road at sunrise on day three. That message needs to get out. It's not about being a superhero. It's about showing that any woman can get to this level if she puts in the time and believes in herself. I hope my ride will inspire someone watching to say, 'If a fifty-eight-year-old with a steel bike and a rando bag can do this, maybe I can too.'
Host
That's exactly what I wanted to touch on—this idea that any woman could reach this level. Because there's a perception that ultra cycling requires the latest carbon wonderbike and a professional support crew. But you're proving that wrong. How did you get started? Was there a moment you realized you could ride these distances?
Guest
I started with a 200k brevet about ten years ago, terrified. I rode an old touring bike, packed too much gear. I finished, barely, but something clicked. I loved that sense of self-sufficiency. Then I just kept adding distance. A 300, a 400, a 600. I found that my body adapted. I learned that the secret isn't expensive gear—it's time in the saddle, patience, and a willingness to eat while you ride. And the community—those women who welcomed me, even when I was slow, they kept me going. They taught me that age is just a number. Now I ride with women from their twenties to their seventies, and we're all out there together.
Host
But let's be realistic: the pro peloton is all about three-to-six-hour races, carbon bikes, support cars, masseuses. This is entirely different. You're unsupported for a hundred and five hours. Why do you think there's still a bias that older women can't compete at this level, when the data says they dominate?
Guest
Society has always underestimated older women. In cycling, the spotlight is on young, explosive riders because that's what sells. But endurance is a quiet strength. It's not as telegenic as a sprint finish, but it's far more accessible. The fact that the gender gap flips and women get faster relative to men after forty-eight hours—that's science. But we need events like this to showcase it. The Cadence Collective Classic, with its international field and media attention, might finally change the narrative. I want every woman to know that if she can ride a 20 miles on a Saturday, she can build up to this. It just takes consistency.
Host
And the event itself, with the cloverleaf format, that central hub with meals and drop bags, seems designed to make it approachable, not just for elite racers but for women tackling their first 1400k. Do you think that's intentional?
Guest
Totally. The hub reduces the logistical nightmare. You can pack drop bags with your favorite snacks, spare clothes, and medication. You have a safe place to sleep. The loops let you break the ride into mentally manageable chunks—four big days rather than one endless road. That makes it possible for a woman who's done a 1200k to step up. It's still terrifying, but it's doable. And the finish line celebration? A live band, all the crews together—it's going to be a party. It celebrates the accomplishment, not just the speed.
Host
You've mentioned the headwinds being the worst part. Can you describe a moment in training where you faced something like that and had to dig deep, because that's where the mental toughness comes in.
Guest
I was out on a weekly solo century ride a few months ago, heading east into a Santa Ana wind. It was like riding through a wall. My speed dropped to nine miles an hour on the flat. I wanted to stop and call for a ride, but then I thought, 'This is exactly what will happen in the race.' So I put my head down, switched to my aerobars, and just focused on my cadence. I told myself that every pedal stroke was getting me closer to the hub. I finished the ride, exhausted but stronger. That's the training: teaching your mind that it can outlast the discomfort. The body can take almost anything if the mind is right.
Host
Alright, I want to ask about the qualification. You had to do a Super Randonneur series—200, 300, 400, 600k—or submit an equivalent ultra resume. That's a huge barrier. Was that difficult for you, or just part of the journey?
Guest
It was part of the journey, but definitely challenging. The 600k is no joke. You're on the bike for over thirty hours, sometimes with little sleep. I remember when I finished my very first 600k at dawn, seeing the sun come up, and just crying because I was so proud. Those rides teach you how to manage food, hydration, chafing, and sleep deprivation. They also show you that your limits are farther than you think. For any woman considering this event, I'd say, complete a 1200k first, or at least a tough 1000k. It builds the confidence.
Host
Now, the field includes riding crews from France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, and all over the US. The camaraderie must be incredible, but also there's a competitive undercurrent. How do you balance being friends with someone you're trying to beat?
Guest
In ultra racing, it's different. You're not riding wheel-to-wheel for hours. You see someone at the start, maybe at a control, and then you might not see them again until the finish. There's a lot of time alone. But when you do meet on the road, there's often a brief conversation, an exchange of 'Are you okay?' or 'How are the winds ahead?' We're all suffering together. I want to beat them, sure, but I also want them to finish. The vibe is supportive, not cutthroat. At the hub, I'll probably share a meal with a German rider or a Korean rider and we'll swap stories. That's the beauty of this event.
Host
Let's talk about the documentary. Lifetime TV is doing something they've never done—a multi-day endurance event film. They're going to capture the sleep deprivation, the hallucinations, the mechanicals. What do you hope the audience takes away from that film?
Guest
I hope they see that these riders are ordinary women who do extraordinary things. Not superheroes, not genetic freaks—just women who decided to push their limits. I want a young girl to watch and think, 'I could do that.' I want a middle-aged woman to see herself in us and maybe sign up for a local ride. The film will show the tears, the laughter, the kindness of volunteers. It'll be real. And maybe it'll finally end that tired narrative that women aren't tough enough for ultra sports.
Host
You've been riding for years. What's the one piece of advice you'd give to a woman in her forties or fifties who's thinking about getting into endurance cycling but is intimidated?
Guest
Start with a smile. Honestly, just get a bike that fits, ride to the next town for a pastry, and ride back. Then do it again, a little farther. Join a local women's cycling group—there are so many now. Don't compare yourself to anyone. Your only competition is the voice in your head that says 'you can't.' And always bring snacks. Seriously, good snacks make everything better. Before you know it, a hundred miles feels normal. And then you'll start wondering, 'What if I kept going?'
Host
Jenna, that's the perfect note. I can't wait to see you out there on those loops, in your aerobars with that rando bag, grinding through the night. I think you're going to surprise a lot of people—maybe even some of those international stars. To everyone listening, if you see the riders, cheer them on. The Cadence Collective Classic is more than a race; it's a statement. Ride slow, bring snacks, take naps. Jenna, thank you for being here and good luck.
Guest
Thanks, Alex. I'll see you at the finish line, hopefully with some good stories. And to every woman listening: you belong out here. Just start pedaling.
Host
That's it for this episode of The Socal Ultra. I'll be dot watching this race and following the race on social media. we'll be back with coverage after the race. Until then, keep the rubber side down. Goodbye, everyone.