The Rapha Festive 500

Not been on the bike for a month, so unlikely to bang out 500km today. EPIC FAIL

110k to go. Might ride out to mate's place once I finish work or I might just forget the whole silly thing safe in the knowledge that #festiveworldchamp #festiveforgetit #festive400willdo #festivefriendsmorefunthanfaceplantsinforrests

^ Yep, forget the stupid excuse to ride.

30 miles to go. Had Monday off and left myself no time for detours on yesterday's commutes or this morning's. Oops. Will have to be late home.

Look like I won't be able to finish it, bring on next year (and a longer commute to work as well).

Done.

Miscounted and had to go out for a quick Potters Bar loop.

Almost entirely done in L, none done either FG or SS, but I still blame this place a bit.

Now, can I change my groupset before a big ride on Saturday.

@spotter and I decided to do it in the form of a mini tour between the 27 and the 30th.
He rode the Genesis and I swapped tires and fitted mudguards and front rack on the cross bike.
We both had a set of panniers and he also carried the rack bag. It was my first time doing this kind of winter/loaded riding.

We rode from London to Kidlington (North of Oxford) on day 1 (114km)
http://www.strava.com/activities/233473736
both crashed in the mud long the canal - then in the last 30Km @spotter had a "little" rack incident

On day 2 we were planning on riding from Kidlington to the New Forest, but we had to get to a bike shop to repair the Genesis, which made us incredibly late on our planning so we took a train from Kidlington to Basingstoke then rode Basingstoke to Whiteparish (75km)
http://www.strava.com/activities/233881917
No accidents this time, but a couple of very very very icy roads.

On day 3 we rode from Whiteparish to Brighton (139km)
http://www.strava.com/activities/234233870
The longest ride in life for me so far.

On day 4 we were supposed to ride from Brighton to London.
After 10km everything started to go very wrong, we had go back to Brighton and take the train to London. Swapped bikes and finished it.
http://www.strava.com/activities/234696995

It was hard work and so fucking cold.
Next year, I might give up the loaded bike though...

Masochists. Reminds me of the time DC and I did the coast to coast IN FEBRUARY.

Tedious ride around the city today, but I'm DONE.

Now for a bath and a nap.

Fin.

All done here too.

Have really enjoyed doing this for the first time. The biggest problem that I have cycling is that life means I never have time to string enough longer rides together to feel like I'm getting any fitter/faster.

This has been the first time in ages I feel that's actually been happening.

Completed today all fixed. Today was a mental battle though that at some points i thought i would quit. Only managed 182km last year so well chuffed i finished this year.

Pass the parcel in reverse:

Done! 420 of the 500 fixed. Very very flat and lots of traffic free meandering. Quite enjoyed it, maybe because I didn't seriously intend to do it until today.

Result. Looked like a good route.

501km.

Much offroadness.

Towpaths were fun. Return leg not that great but just wanted something straightforward. Bike is now seriously in need of a clean.

Good work everyone!

Done! Kudos to the rider tonight who'd ridden 110 of a required 150 miles today in Regent's Park. #Looking strong. Also to the couple riding with enormous front but puny rear lights who had a long way to go. Hope you're about to crack open a bottle.

Well done all, I got 14% and slobbed out the whole hols. Much shame! Will make it up when commutes start again...

This thread needs graphs!

Got to 50%, crashed on black ice, said 'fuck it' and spent valuable riding time making a gingerbread house with two of my nieces.

Technically it's Basler leckerli and not gingerbread, but it's got a smegging witch and a cat, so it counts.

Finished the 500, then on the way home crashed on black ice on a roundabout. All done on a road bike, wonder if I would have had better road feedback on fixed and avoided a crash. Still feeling kinda creaky.

I'm not going to ride my bike today.

Same. Same.