The Rapha Festive 500

Cheaper than hiring a track though :)

Yeah the route was really nice, especially the big section from Tongham to Leith Hill. Got a bit shit after Leith.

223km to go, if (as currently seems likely) my hamstrings don't totally petrify.

What's a good way of stretching them that's not just trying to touch your toes whilst tears of pain roll down your nose?

Look up the 'downward facing dog' yoga pose. It's very effective. Also with that do the pigeon pose for the glutes, it's so good!

No reliance on Garmins, minimal thinking required. I quite like lots of laps of Regents Park.

173km today, 223km to go, I will do 65 commuting on Thursday so just need to do 80 for the next two days and I will have gotten there. I'm quite glad I started this a bit late as It makes the challenge much harder!

Lying on your back, keep one leg on foor the raise the other one (keeping it slightly bent) until you feel a slight stretch. Then support with your hands and gently straighten leg. I find this most agreable.

Unless you are a super bendy fucker...then chop of legs so they don't hurt anymore.

To keep things in topic: kilometres covered = 0 as visiting other halves parents in scotland. However, success is they have agreed to allow me to store a bike there!

Lie on your back, lift one leg, hook a towel round your foot while holding the ends with both hands, and while keeping your leg slightly bent, pull your foot towards you. If your leg starts shaking, you've gone too far.

Look up the 'downward facing dog' yoga pose. It's very effective. Also with that do the pigeon pose for the glutes, it's so good!

I can't get into that pose, too stiff!

Neil, just ride until something else starts hurting more than your hamstrings and you are done.

Oi danstuff, snow is forecast for Zinal. Velodrome may be off on the 2nd. Just saying...
This

Right you are dear. As long as we're still doing the evening session on the 30th, all is well. The 2nd is too late for the Festive 500 anyway.

Skiing or velodroming. It's a tough call. #firstworldproblems

P.S. Does that mean you didn't cancel the hotel booking in Zinal then?

I'd still get lost.

We have a winner!

You could try a really hot bath and do stretching in the bath after about 20 mins? That's very effective.

40 miles of off-road tracks yesterday. Inch-deep mud, slick tyres. Looked like a sea monster by the end, then checked into a Premier Inn. Wedding today. Will try to get a few miles in before. 149km to go. Mrs Sparky crashed the car last night so not sure how we're getting back to London tomorrow. May have to give her a backy.

You could try a really hot bath and do stretching in the bath after about 20 mins? That's very effective.

Will do, thanks for the advice.

You could try a really hot bath and do stretching in the bath after about 20 mins? That's very effective.

With pics, please.

£$£$ first

my knee has gone wonky after yesterdays ride, feels like the muscles/tendons supporting the kneecap. No idea why, been foam rolling religiously since I had knee trouble 2 years ago on the festive 500. Would be gutted to miss out again.

Had this last year due to a cleat slipping and pointing a few degrees to the side, jarring my knee out. HealTFU.

Rest it. Ride slower.

I'll have a fiddle with my speedplays and see what happens. I might just open the float up again and hope for the best.

EDIT: thanks thanks thanks you might have saved me.

@hippy currently being rested and iced. have done the entire thing so far in the little ring, if I go any slower I might just stop.

It was doubly frustrating because my ride yesterday was blissfully untroubled by my usually back problems. Rock, hard place / frying pan, fire.

Fuck it. Smash it and let God sort your knee caps out ;)