The Chicken Ride

A legendary classic. Win this race, and you get a rubber chicken. Don't let its short length fool you, this is a 15-minute all-out effort with extremely fast cornering and punchy rollers.

About This Ride

The Chicken Ride is the stuff of Marin cycling legend. Every Friday morning, a group of some of the strongest cyclists in the county lines up for a deceptively short 20-mile race. The prize? A rubber chicken. The cost? Your legs, your lungs, and possibly your dignity.

Don't be fooled by the modest distance and elevation numbers. This ride features extremely fast cornering through rolling terrain, and the pace is all-out from the start. Races are won and lost in the punchy rollers, where strong riders attack and gaps open quickly. Average speeds regularly exceed 25 mph, and the racing is genuine - expect elbows, surges, and breakaway attempts.

The early 7:10 AM start means this is done before most people's workday begins. The group is tight-knit and welcoming to newcomers, but make no mistake: when the ride starts, it's a race. The rubber chicken trophy is passed from winner to winner each week, and holding it is a genuine badge of honor in the local cycling community.

Tips

• This is a genuine race effort - warm up before the start or you'll be dropped in the first mile
• Cornering skills are essential - the route has fast, technical turns
• The early start means riding in low light - front and rear lights are strongly recommended
• Even if you can't compete for the win, hanging on as long as possible is great interval training
• The ride is short enough that you can do it before work