The Festive 500 thread.

The Festive 500 thread.

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Discussion

1878

Original Poster:

821 posts

169 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
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Couldn't see anything else about this so here goes.

Anyone else giving it a go this year? Anyone done it before? Any tips?

I signed up last year but being ill over Christmas meant I didn't even make it to a hundred. Having another try this time around and as tomorrow is a working day will be aiming to extend my rides to and from work to help make a good start.

Fugazi

564 posts

127 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
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I'm hoping to give it a crack this year, just hoping that the weather picks up as there's not a lot of time either side of family togethers. First 150km tomorrow, as long as storm Eva doesnt batter Lancashire too much.

Johnny

9,652 posts

290 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
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Not doing it this year, but completed it in 2012/13.

matt-ITR

892 posts

195 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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Tips...
Get your kit ready the night before and get out early.
Try and get miles in early so you are not playing catch up.
Log everything.

It is going to be a wet one this year.

ALawson

7,849 posts

257 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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Commenting between Hampshire and Shropshire between Christmas Day and NYE will mean it that it isn't worth trying, especially with two young kids. I will be out today for a local shop ride which should be 50 odd miles, and maybe two other rides before the end of the year.

Respect to those who complete it!

SoliD

1,191 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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Got up earlier than normal for my ride to work, clocked up an extra 12 miles, so on 27km so far, will be aiming to be on 80 or so by the end of the day.

Plan for the rest of the week as follows, but will sack it off if the weather is dreadful.

24/12/2015 50
25/12/2015 20
26/12/2015 35
27/12/2015 70
28/12/2015 65
29/12/2015 20
30/12/2015
31/12/2015 60

okgo

39,209 posts

204 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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I did it a few years ago, its not exactly a total walk in the park, but I do feel like it should be 500 miles vs KM, many people do 2/3rds of 500km per week every week.

I have entered it this year for a laugh, I'll not probably change what I was going to do, but I think I have enough rides planned in to make it, not helping that I won't ride today and tomorrow though (outside anyway)

Edited by okgo on Thursday 24th December 14:04

JEA1K

2,547 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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Did it a few years back too. Made me miserable so I'm not committing myself although I may end up doing the miles by default anyway. Was hungover today, tomorrow have too much on so first day could be Boxing day if I can be arsed. Rest of the Xmas break I suspect I'll ride every.

I have a tip for you ... if its not torrential rain and gale force winds, you need to make the most of it, so make sure you don't cut and fine weather days short!

richardxjr

7,561 posts

216 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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Some loonies will have completed it by tonight. Leader's on 403km so far...

lukefreeman

1,497 posts

181 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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52 miles done today.

80 on Sat.
68 on Sun.
80 on Tuesday.
31 or whatever on Wed or Thur. Done.

stripy7

806 posts

193 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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Planning to ride up to Manchester from London at the weekend to see my sister then come back again, that should do it.

1878

Original Poster:

821 posts

169 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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stripy7 said:
Planning to ride up to Manchester from London at the weekend to see my sister then come back again, that should do it.
Respect!

77km for me today. Tough wind on the outward part of the morning ride meant I cut the first part short, then loads of sand on the prom didn't help with the second part. Shame as I had a great tailwind on the prom and was doing low 30s kmh with minimal effort. 24 km morning ride, I was aiming for 40. Left work early and much better conditions so joined a mate on his ride home in totally the wrong direction then rode back to mine solo for a 53km second ride. Considering my normal commute is 16km round trip, I'm happy with today. I'd forgotten how mentally draining it can be to do distance solo though.

Good luck to everyone who's trying.

yellowjack

17,238 posts

172 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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richardxjr said:
Some loonies will have completed it by tonight. Leader's on 403km so far...
As at 2115hrs, three loonies had completed the Festive 500 in a single day's riding...

https://www.strava.com/activities/455699180 = 526km
https://www.strava.com/activities/455679288 = 520km
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6413938 = 508km


...and after saying I wasn't going to sign up this year, I went and rode 50 miles/80km this evening and thought "to hell with it" and signed up anyway.

500km is about 311 miles, so I need an average of 39 miles per day. 11 miles 'spare' banked today to make up for the next to no chance of me riding on Christmas Day, and the very distant possibility of riding on Boxing Day too.

castex

4,977 posts

279 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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I have to do this.
Tried and failed one year. Too much to do this year.
Yeah, I know.
Can't be doing with circles, maybe I need to ride to London.
God's speed to all attempting it this year; hope you get that patch.

ALawson

7,849 posts

257 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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yellowjack said:
richardxjr said:
Some loonies will have completed it by tonight. Leader's on 403km so far...
As at 2115hrs, three loonies had completed the Festive 500 in a single day's riding...

https://www.strava.com/activities/455699180 = 526km
https://www.strava.com/activities/455679288 = 520km
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6413938 = 508km


...and after saying I wasn't going to sign up this year, I went and rode 50 miles/80km this evening and thought "to hell with it" and signed up anyway.

500km is about 311 miles, so I need an average of 39 miles per day. 11 miles 'spare' banked today to make up for the next to no chance of me riding on Christmas Day, and the very distant possibility of riding on Boxing Day too.
You do 40miles most days!

yellowjack

17,238 posts

172 months

Friday 25th December 2015
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ALawson said:
You do 40miles most days!
Yup, but that's the issue - there are (at least) three days during this challenge where I will definitely be unable to ride, so 40 miles per day on those days I can ride will not be enough. Hence banking every mile (kilometres if you're fluent in Rapha-ese) I can. 6km this morning on a simple 'lap of the lake' with the wife, and I had to go back indoors for the Garmin. That was a massive rolleyes moment from her right there. I'm a "sad git" apparently...

rolleyes Whatever... wink

matt-ITR

892 posts

195 months

Saturday 26th December 2015
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Day 1 - 205km
Day 2 - 68km

Hoping to do around 100km today and finish it off on the 27th. Flipping mudguards broke yesterday though frown

Dammit

3,801 posts

214 months

Saturday 26th December 2015
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I'm just popping out each morning and getting 60k done at the moment- should be fine.

Albert Bridge

896 posts

199 months

Sunday 27th December 2015
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Is anyone else having problems with their rides not registering under the Challenge?

lukefreeman

1,497 posts

181 months

Sunday 27th December 2015
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Three rides done, 183 miles (Various mechanicals stopped me riding more today and I'll get bits to fix tomorrow)

100 miles on Tuesday. 30ish on Thursday, done.

Had a good ride yesterday though If you're interested