The Rapha Festive 500

Very high if temperatures are low enough. I was there yesterday and the roads were very wet. Although the problem for us wasn’t ice but rather the reflection of the low sun was blinding. Can feel the strain on my eyes today.

Cars are covered in frost this morning in London & weather App suggests Epping still at 0°. Looks like I’ll be waiting to see if it warms up later

Horrible morning out there on the south coast. Started out with ice on the roads and had to change plans and ride the coast roads as it was a bit warmer there. Had a visit from the fairy, a thorn which was a pain to pick out. Then freezing rain for an hour. Cut short what I was planning but I’ll still be done tomorrow 433/500

I thought that was diet advice.

It is, don't let them make you leave the straight path.

I'm almost glad that Tier 4 gives me an excuse for not riding outside of London.

My other half has headed up from Amsterdam to Den Helder today.

I have a broken bike and working today so will have 360km to do in 3 days. I know I CAN do it, I don't know if I CAN BE ARSED to do it. I really should though

I think you'd be okay if you stick to the slightly busier roads, so go out via Biggin Hill rather than up Layhams, stick to the quieter A and B roads rather than going down the single track lanes etc., as those roads will have been gritted and had some traffic on them. The sun is out too at the moment, which tends to clear any ice, even if it is weak.

-2 out and struggling to find the motivation to get out this morning.

Oh good, freezing fog

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Fuck this, ice in Edinburgh today and minus temperatures forecast for the next few days; I’m going to smash out 120 miles on Zwift and be done with it.

Done. 497, saved some for victory laps with my eldest who is just back on the bike.
Was very cold and very foggy. Another 5:30 start, only one known ice patch one of the three of us went down very lightly but was enough to see him take the train home half way round.
My gloves are warmer without the silk liners, took that gamble and it paid off.
Pretty grim glad to be done.

Well done you! Great effort.

Ha thanks. How’s yours going??

I’ve loved each day of my cycling, doomed to failure as it is.

It's almost as if the important thing is to get out on your bike and have a nice time, instead of aiming for some arbitrary general target set by others!

I managed to do a tier 4 london 200km.
I decided on a midnight start on xmas eve.

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ha - could’ve done with one to be honest. only 50k today (outside at least, and not doomlapping watopia). still seemed v sketchy even on the main roads tbh. and then you have to contend with more drivers and they’re irate because you’re not riding in the bicycle lane of black ice death (that their TAX DOLLARS paid for.) games a bogey I think. I’ll soldier on inside zwift but don’t see me doing 200k on there

no way ! the point is (i) the misery & (ii) whinging itt... no? am I doing it wrong ?!

I'm also going to complete it on Zwift I think. Too scared to fall on icy patches. :(

I binned it on black ice on day 1. you'd think I'd learn my lesson and zwift the rest of it but what are cyclists if not gluttons for funishment

90 miles on Zwift today, think I’ll do the rest just by doing coffee spins with my girlfriend. She’s still got a little bit more than me to do but we should both finish having ridden the majority of it together which was great. Christmas Day ride with a picnic in the only 10 mins of sun this week was a highlight.

Another 75km. Only one tumble (everyone safe) ✌🏼

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Monumental and mental effort no doubt. Great work.

I wrapped it in tin foil today lol. Did nothing, fucking freezing, the rest of me is relatively warmish.

Yeah i have no idea how people keep their feet warm. Mine are cold no matter what.

Managed to get a decent bunrun in on the 25th, otherwise its round regents for me for the rest. Up to 415 now so nothing crazy to do. Its not exciting at regents but ive already done about 10000km there this year, whats a few more laps.

I saw someone in summer gear yesterday. Just bibs and a jersey. He was smiling.
How?

Sounds like you are almost there, well done. :)