Anyone going to try the Rapha Festive 500 this year?

[GOATever]

This brings me to 403 Kms. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong today. The bike I was intending to use, has a seized top bearing in the head set. So a quick bike change was required. The bike I went to has the dead power meters, which I sorted with a change of batteries. Halfway into the ride, the Garmin switched off, and would not switch back on again, no matter what I did. So I had no idea how long I was going to go, before I ran out of fuel, which was really really fking helpful ( thanks a lot stty Garmin ). I did get round, and only went into the red at the very end. There were far too many choppers out for my liking today. Other than that, nearly there.

[Master Bean]

GOATever said:

This brings me to 403 Kms. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong today. The bike I was intending to use, has a seized top bearing in the head set. So a quick bike change was required. The bike I went to has the dead power meters, which I sorted with a change of batteries. Halfway into the ride, the Garmin switched off, and would not switch back on again, no matter what I did. So I had no idea how long I was going to go, before I ran out of fuel, which was really really fking helpful ( thanks a lot stty Garmin ). I did get round, and only went into the red at the very end. There were far too many choppers out for my liking today. Other than that, nearly there.

Garmin being a Garmin. Get something decent.

[mike80]

Solocle said:

As ready as I'll ever be for this.
The red segment is a detour to avoid flooding - I'll go onto the A1307, which is the old A14, now the bypass is open.

Belated good luck with this, looks like you will come right past my house at one point. If I'd realised sooner I would have had a brew and cake for you!

[GOATever]

Solocle said:

As ready as I'll ever be for this.
The red segment is a detour to avoid flooding - I'll go onto the A1307, which is the old A14, now the bypass is open.

How far is that?

[okgo]

GOATever said:

How far is that?

Probably 500k.

[Solocle]

Yeah, the route was 500 km.

I'm completely dead, and hoping I might be able to pull 2x 100km out of the bag tomorrow and NYE.

Edited by Solocle on Sunday 29th December 12:41

[lauda]

Wow, incredible effort Solocle

I tipped over 400km today and intend to finish it off with one ride tomorrow. My legs are starting to feel it now too. I’m ok on the flat, but show me a hill and I’m crawling up it.

Tomorrow is looking like a nice day though so it will be good to finish in the sunshine.

[mooseracer]

A decent ride today sees me on 428km completed - all being well I'll get the rest done tomorrow after work.

[mooseracer]

Great effort Solocle!

I passed a number of riders coming the other way on the A38 this morning. They all looked pretty weary - unsurprisingly, I guess 500km does that to you

[GOATever]

mooseracer said:

Great effort Solocle!

I passed a number of riders coming the other way on the A38 this morning. They all looked pretty weary - unsurprisingly, I guess 500km does that to you

I’m currently sat in a pub watching football, having just got back on my last effort of the challenge. I am completely fked, my right knee is complaining like hell, I’ve finished off the headset in one of my bikes, the tyres are completely fked on the one I’m on today. I’ve not actually got home yet either, I’ve got about another mile to go. It’s never an easy challenge ( it sounds easier than it is ) I’ve done all but the first 2 of them now. I am getting too old for this st, which is what I’ll say until this time next year I reckon.

[GOATever]

Got it .

[mike80]

Nice work!

[keith2.2]

Well done everyone who did it this year.

My work and travel comittments meant I was only ever going to be able to try to bag it in a single ride over the weekend - ironic given my chosen dicipline is 12 / 24hr time trials

Then the weather forecast came. I had no deisre to head out with jetlag in the p*ssing rain for a solo all nighter that would encompass 20 laps of a 20km loop between disneyland and the airport, finishing off with 1000m climbing to get to the ferry. Poor form on my part. Especially as the predicted downpours didn't actually materialise, just some drizzle. Maybe next year.

I saw Francis Cade and friends did 200 laps of a 1km loop in Regents Park (I think?) - if it was with other people, that'd be kinda fun.

[anonymous-user]

well done GOAT, it is a considerable milestone to tick off

[lauda]

And we’re done for another year. I treated myself to a cup of sugar which has probably replace half the calories I’ve burned on my rides.



Well done to those who’ve finished and good luck to anyone still going.

[anonymous-user]

that's quite a drink lauda! well done on the 500+km though, good work

[GOATever]

JPJPJP said:

well done GOAT, it is a considerable milestone to tick off

One of my bikes is glad it’s over.

I think I’ll need new headset bearings

[keith2.2]

I think you needed new headset bearings a while ago! ;-)

[GOATever]

keith2.2 said:

I think you needed new headset bearings a while ago! ;-)

True, to be fair I’ve had it 7 years, and it was hanging in there admirably until the horse st weather last week finished it. A nice shiny FSA 10p should be with me tomorrow, then it’s another 7 years from that bike ( hopefully).

[lauda]

JPJPJP said:

that's quite a drink lauda! well done on the 500+km though, good work

Cheers! The drink is a Costa Black Forest hot chocolate. I only allow myself one a year once they’re in store (on account of the fact that it probably contains a weeks-worth of sugar) and I figured I deserved it today.