The Rapha Festive 500

After hitting 50% after the first three days, a bug hit that's left me off the bike since. Now debating whether to do 2 x 80 milers to finish. I've no intention of risking ice either, so the miles will be mindless laps of somewhere generic in central. Hmmmm, need to find some motivation for this.

Have you tried disposable warming patches?

I've used Wilko Foot Warmers - patches you stick on the outside of your sock under the ball of your foot. They give off just the right amount of earmth for over six hours.

I can't find a link (hopefully they're not discontinued, I only have one pair left) . A pack of four cost a couple of quid.

I did try them last year, but I didn't put them under my foot - which may have been the problem as when un-agitated they rapidly go cold.

I tried those wee warming tea bags (three for a fiver at Cotswold). They work up to a point but eventually get overcome by the cold. Need to try one shoe with, one without (double blind of course) to see if they really make a difference.

Not mentally it's not.

340 / 500

160k to go.

Only 73.3 km to go (161 according to Strava, but I am not doing an extra 90 km).

Saw this on gram:

Will attempt with some sort of flat & flexible insulation material that is not too thick; kitchen foil becomes right mess after the ride.

Also @Dammit I take you are already using embro?

Embro will not make you warmer.

Get some endura deluge overshoes. They're designed to keep out wet but totally keep out air too. Them and some merino socks last down to about -2 for me. And I ride very cold.

They look like regular neoprene overshoes to me

what does embro do then? It kept my toes and legs warm; light coat of med heat DZ nuts ..

Errr yeh they probably are

Irritates the skin causing dilation of blood vessels which makes you feel warmer but means you'll lose heat more rapidly. Same as alcohol.

180km to go. do I or do I not?

I tried those wee warming tea bags

Somehow I don't think, that pissing on ones feet to warm them up would be such a good idea in a long run.

Can we rename this thread the bedwetters 500?

90km a day, it would be tough, but doable. Depends on how much you want to ride your bike! I'm sort of slogging on to the end safe in the knowledge that I won't ever repeat this challenge.

I'm trying to convince myself 250km in a day and a half is possible. Or sensible.

I did 220km in a day... just before the challenge started.

#doingitwrong

hippy's warmup is 250km.

what does embro do then?

Lets you spend money on mysterious ointments for yourself, Makes you feel Pro, Provides a reason for a few more minutes alone touching your smooth, powerful legs etc.

You think people buy things because they need them?

I'm going to get @amey living as a freegan in a tipi at this rate. I've already got him on a steel 650b conversion.

Only just realised I might actually complete this if I do 130km in the morning of the 31st.

Huh, look like @hippy is right.

Fondo FTW.