Anyone going to try the Rapha Festive 500 this year?

[zippyonline]

I may have a go this year, still 50:50. I'll do it the easy way though, i.e. 8 x 62.5km, not 1 x 500km!

[lauda]

yellowjack said:

It might be a bit much for me this year. I've only ridden 5 times since breaking my leg. But on the bright side, I'm up to 33 miles in a ride already, so there may be a small possibility of giving it a crack again this year. But the weather will have to play nice, as I'll not be keen on risking a slip/fall on the road...

...I won't decide until closer to the challenge, though, as I'm knackered after riding right now, so I'll see what kind of endurance I can build in the next month or so.

I’m thinking that I will bin it off if the weather is really bad. I don’t mind a bit of rain, wind and cold, but I don’t want it to be miserable and I’m definitely not risking it if it’s likely to be icy.

Hope the recovery goes well and good luck if you decide to have a crack.

PomBstard said:

So, what’s the preferred way to hit 500 - a couple of bigger rides of 100-150km with a handful of 50km to top up, a steady 65km a day, or two big 250km days? Note, the single 500km bimble is not an option...

Last year I did a big ride (100km plus) on the first and last day and then smaller rides in between. I managed to knock it on the head with a day to spare as we had friends over for new year and I didn’t want to be falling asleep at 10pm!

I also tried to use family visits as a way of racking up the miles. We always visit my sister on Boxing Day and that’s a 150km round trip so the wife and kids went in the car and I went on the bike. Although the ride home the following day through snow, sleet, rain and constant head or crosswinds was one for the worst of my life. I’m hoping for better weather this year...

[keith2.2]

Annoyingly, I'll be back in the UK that week, with no access to a bike. Otherwise I would!

[GOATever]

I’ll try and get it done in 2 rides this year. I have routes plotted and reccyd. I just hope the weather gods are kind.

[yellowjack]

GOATever said:

I’ll try and get it done in 2 rides this year. I have routes plotted and reccyd. I just hope the weather gods are kind.

You know it'll be December then, right? All cold, and dark early'n'stuff?

You are as mad as a box of frogs, but hey? Why not, eh? Good luck with it.

[BMWBen]

GOATever said:

I’ll try and get it done in 2 rides this year. I have routes plotted and reccyd. I just hope the weather gods are kind.

Madman. I did half of it in one a couple of years ago then the rest in smaller rides. That was quite enough.

Started in the dark, got home in the dark. Very cold. Very very cold.

[zippyonline]

My do it in 1 single ride last year - sleeping in a church porch and having hands that were so cold I couldn't unclip my helmet were enough to scar me and makes it quite unlikely I'll do it in one again.

That said, I've invested in some more kit this year

[GOATever]

Those 2 should do it.

[Gareth1974]

Information on the Festive 500 this year https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/3737/rapha-festive-...

[lauda]

I've started thinking about how I'm going to tackle this. I really want NYE off so I need to crack it in seven days. This is the plan:

24/12 - 100km solo
25/12 - a quick 30km before the kids get up
26/12 - 75km to my sister's
27/12 - 75km back from my sister's
28/12 - 60km to the in-laws
29/12 - 60km back from the in-laws
30/12 - 100km with a mate

Seem eminently do-able and if the weather forecast is to be believed, I'll be doing it in cool, dry conditions without much in the way of wind.

Dare I say it, I'm actually quite looking forward to it.

[Not Ideal]

^ Let us know how you get on !

[bigdom]

lauda said:

I've started thinking about how I'm going to tackle this. I really want NYE off so I need to crack it in seven days. This is the plan:

24/12 - 100km solo
25/12 - a quick 30km before the kids get up
26/12 - 75km to my sister's
27/12 - 75km back from my sister's
28/12 - 60km to the in-laws
29/12 - 60km back from the in-laws
30/12 - 100km with a mate

Seem eminently do-able and if the weather forecast is to be believed, I'll be doing it in cool, dry conditions without much in the way of wind.

Dare I say it, I'm actually quite looking forward to it.

First time logistically I've been able to try this one. Based on above, I believe something relatively similar, weather forecast looks agreeable at present. Bit of rain forecast for Monday, apparently dry and 5-8c for rest of the challenge.

24/12 - 100km solo
25/12 - a quick 30km before the parents get up
26/12 - a quick 30km before the parents get up
27/12 - 60km to and from work on long route
28/12 - 60km to and from work on long route
29/12 - 120km solo
30/12 - 100km solo
31/12 - Just in case the above doesn't quite pull off

[SoliD]

Previous couple of years I've bagged 100 miles on Christmas Eve and then just totted along, this year as I'm working throughout will be more difficult, but plan will be something like the following, really hoping it is dry as I don't have my winter bike currently in action, and not windy just because it would be nice not having to battle 30mph gusts constantly as per the last couple of years.

24/12 70KM
25/12 70KM
26/12 80KM
27/12 65KM
28/12 75KM
29/12 20-30 KM
30/12 80-100KM Depending on Hangover as I'm heading to the Darts on the Saturday...
31/12 40KM

[yellowjack]

I'm having second thoughts about even beginning to try this year.

Too many family things on the calendar, and my pace today (MTB in the mud, admittedly) was sub 7 mph. At that snail's pace it'd take me forever to get the required kilometres ridden...

[idiotgap]

I'm now on 9,436.6 km for the year with 3 20km commutes to go before the weekend which will leave me at 9.5k km
I can't not give it a go really. Heading to Rapha in Spitalfields shortly which is 5 mins from my desk to pick up a brevet card.

[moonigan]

I’ve been wanting to do this for a number of years but kids, wine and weather have killed it. However this year I’m going to go for it. Kids are older now so will get up Christmas morning and then probably go back to bed. Weather is looking as good as I can remember so I’m confident of getting it done.

Going to aim to crack 60-70 miles off on Christmas Eve which then gives me 7 rides to do around 220 miles. Only downside is I’ve not ridden for a couple of weeks due to lurgy.

[lauda]

The lights and computer are charged, the kit is sorted and a 110km route has been plotted. The alarm has also been set for 5am

The weather tomorrow is chilly and damp but looks by far the worst of the next eight days. And there’s barely a breath of wind forecast.

Good luck everyone who’s giving it a crack. Just think of how many guilt-free beers you can enjoy at new year!

[yellowjack]

yellowjack said:

I'm having second thoughts about even beginning to try this year.

Too many family things on the calendar, and my pace today (MTB in the mud, admittedly) was sub 7 mph. At that snail's pace it'd take me forever to get the required kilometres ridden...

Sorry for quoting myself, but...

...my road bike is now working again, after nearly 11 months sat idle at the back of my garage. So it looks like my attempt at this year's challenge might at least get off the ground.

Tomorrow is looking like a non-starter though. Early alarm, off to Basingrad for some last minute Christmas Shopping, then back onto the M3 heading for Bournemouth. Some visiting with in-laws, and some present delivery to a niece and nephew, then fighting my way back up the M3. There may be an outside chance of squeezing a few miles in later in the day, likely after the sun has disappeared over the horizon. So not a promising start. Then Christmas Day, which is always difficult to justify as a long ride day. Boxing Day we're booked to eat out at a local restaurant. Then New Year's Eve we're on the road to Bournemouth again to do with my wife's new job.

This year's #Festive500 was always going to be tough, coming so soon after my return to the bike from a broken leg. But looking at the calendar, I'm likely to be "playing catch-up" from the very start. I'll give it a try though, as it's only about 33 miles on top of my (drastically revised downward) annual mileage target of 2,000 miles. Hopefully some fair/mild weather and low wind speeds will assist with that catch-up. Fingers crossed that mechanical failures won't play a role this time - the lack of a functional spare road bike means that if something serious goes wrong with this one, my goose will probably be well and truly cooked on the mileage front...

[Johno]

Nothing like waking up day1 with a very sore throat and knowing you’ll end up worse off for riding .... annoyed.

[mooseracer]

Same. Couldn't work out why my ride was so hard on Saturday and yesterday my eyes were hurting! Woken today with lurgy, including on the chest. Yet again it's not going to happen for me. Gutted as the weather is looking perfect.