The Rapha Festive 500

Just make sure they're behind you. You'll hit 500 in no time.

Drawn these two so far (I've done both rides):
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11288041
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11288113

Havent assigned days as I am flexible but that Henley ride esp from here is ideal for Christmas. Something in Essex/Heartfordshire flat land should be nice too; London isnt too bad during jesus birthday for traffic.

If all goes to shit; the usual hilly-ish Kent loops and Richmond laps.

@amey @Sparky putting my name forward if it's an open invitation you join for a ride on 24th. I'm Peckham based and was thinking of just looping out to Toys or something, but would much rather meet a few forumers in the process!

Looks big! hit me up as well if possible. Its better to suffer in a company

I seem to remember you telling me that it was more like 70 miles, flat. That looks like 106 miles of reasonably hilly riding to me...

;)

Not at all hilly

A not-so-hilly-but-scenic Kent option can be this: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11183025 Short tho.

A Hertfordshire ideal for Christmas day to ride through London for us southies:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11289869

The more the merrier @Moserism @MarekJa if you are keen on those two south rides ideal meeting point would be at the dog training center on Layhams here. The routes are drawn primarily for BR1 homies i.e. me and @Sparky.

We can aim for 15mph which shouldnt be too hard; re-group on top of the "hills" if someone decides to do a nairo. Cafe stops obviously.

As I said I haven't assigned days to rides yet but I am quite certain I'll do the north ride on christmas day given most of the ride is crossing london town.

Bleh. I'll be doing plenty of riding over Christmas, but currently unable to do anything over 3 hours so it will mostly be social and won't be bothered to look at the distance.

serious training >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< more instagram than riding

plus I dont think I can keep up with you on flat .. gunna join a gym and beef up soon innit

That's not going to help much.

Training thread >>>>>>>

ikr!

I'm knackered. Tried to do some interval training yesterday. Failed. Tomorrow's gym session is the last bit of proper training for a while (thank the baby Jesus).

The gym stuff really only helps max or near-to-max efforts, and generally being handsome.

That Henley one looks good. To be honest, as I'll be juggling family and miles, I will probably need to ride early doors and at a not hugely sociable pace for much of this until after Boxing Day. After the 26th I'll be under less time pressure.

I'm thinking of something like this:

Xmas Eve
https://www.strava.com/routes/1259203

Option 2 (If wind direction continues as predicted)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3809938

Xmas Day
https://www.strava.com/routes/1257427

Boxing Day
https://www.strava.com/routes/2363168

27th - Rest

28th
https://www.strava.com/routes/329269

I quite fancy a long flat Essex loop out to Blue Egg at some time too.

Amey, when you firm up what you're doing I'll check back in to see if any work out.

Tom

Christmas Eve works nicely for me. Strike hard, strike early.

Just seem that Amey is only around Christmas Day. I'd be game for that, too, as long as we got an early start. Don't want to get in too much trouble with Mrs Sparky.

now those are hilly rides! disclaimer: @TTM is a beast.

The only Essex option I have atm is this: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11290012 Going to blue egg would add another 40 odd miles to that.

Another candidate for Christmas day @Sparky.

Am 90% out.

The prospect of taking my bike and all my kit back to the 'rents for rides on 24th and 26th, the former of which looks like proper shithouse weather, seems more hassle than it's worth.

So gonna treat myself to a proper Xmas break and ride a lot up til New Year, but without constantly having a 500k target and forcing myself out in shit weather or when feeling fatigued. For example, it's gonna be ace weather down here tomorrow so might as well go out for a nice ride then, rather than piss about in a storm on Xmas eve just to start getting the miles in.

If i was staying in London and didn't have to piss about dragging my bike around the country i'd probaby give it a bash though tbf, and definitely do a ride on loads of usually busy roads on xmas morning.

The Xmas eve options really aren't hilly. That Blue Egg ride would be a long one, so probably not a goer for me unfortunately. Cheers for the link though.

Bah, can't do Christmas Eve, got Star Wars.

Actually not quite a bah, but there you go.

Just seem that Amey is only around Christmas Day. I'd be game for that, too, as long as we got an early start. Don't want to get in too much trouble with Mrs Sparky.

Can do that I think, need to double check with the other half if she's games.

Shall we say Christmas Day then? Who's in? List!

1. Amey
   
2. Sparkles
   

Ride to your parents place.

ME! for sure. Im free until 3pm