The Rapha Festive 500

Who completed this last year and was it worth it? Be honest, now.

I think I managed 700 something k last year but gf was in Poland and I didn't have full xmas plans so it was easier. Warmer and drier too. Also, this year's week layout is shite if you're working (which I am).

Worth it? Not particularly. It's a nice little motivator though I guess.

Anyone want to get in some after dark London miles this evening? Thinking of a bridges ride but anything to get 40 or so miles in.

I need to get about 100 miles done tomorrow, anyone keen? Maybe Brighton and the turnaround, Essex lanes maybe, herne bay? Don't really know but fuck the weather I'm heading out. Same for the 31st, looking to do about 60-70 miles...

Could be up for this - post your plan when you know what you want to do.

Nice little roll out with Xander this morning, 244km of the 500 now done.

Tried plastic bags over my shoes and under my overshoes today. The first time this Christmas I have come home without numb feet. Recommend.

well i tried and tried..upside I now live by the Downs and South coast so great roads and climbs, downside bloody windy and floods everywhere..

my 2 attempts

http://app.strava.com/activities/34194981
http://app.strava.com/activities/34038845

a useless 72km and 3000ft...maybe next year i'll manage it!

So far I've clocked 0.00 miles, riding around in London doesn't count, and I'm now out. Bring on the next challenge with better weather forecast.

Might join you on the 31st, Dan, if you're not on that fancy new geared thing you've got and nor is anybody else. I'm doing the 500k fixed so I don't want to be the dragging anchor at the back struggling through wind and rain while other people wait for me every few miles.

^^ How so? My sister's been clocking up the odd km here and there by riding short errands (not in London).

@rusty: I don't record or post to Strava errands or short random rides.

That's the spirit - proper ride = 40> miles and for no purpose other than riding :)

90 odd windy, rainy, muddy miles out into deepest Worcestershire and back for me. Now eating pork pies.

Good effort. I did another 60(ish) hilly miles today so that's the total up to 194 km.

Tomorrow I'm off out to Cragg Vale, the longest continuous gradient in England.... on the Fixed. (In the rain probably.)

Tried plastic bags over my shoes and under my overshoes today. The first time this Christmas I have come home without numb feet. Recommend.

I've tried two different kinds of chemical foot warmer so far neither of which worked.

Simple as a plastic bag over the sock before you put the shoe on?

yep, but it turns your shoe into a sweatbox

I've tried two different kinds of chemical foot warmer so far neither of which worked.

Simple as a plastic bag over the sock before you put the shoe on?

Yes. Two decent quality plastic bags, with holes cut for the cleats. Then pulled the shoe covers over. Then trimmed excess off the bags down to the level of the covers.

Kept my feet dryish and warm. It was snowing much of the ride, but I only did about 50km so can't speak to effectiveness on a longer ride.

Shoe. Cling film. Neoprene shoecover. Gore Gore-tex shoecover.

Keeps my feet dry. Well excusing sweat.

I thought I'd cracked it with the chemical warmers- such a let down. I will give the plastic bag thing a whirl

So far I've been able to escape the house for early morning rides (starting before dawn, which is fun) but as I'm on the CX bike with knobbly tyres, I've been limited to 50milers to ensure I get back before getting in to trouble for missing Christmas chores (isn't going back to the fam for Christmas fun)

Lots of flooded roads in Yorkshire, which makes route planning challenging. My first ride involved riding through 5 separate stretches where the water came over the BB. Very hard to judge from the edge how deep it goes, but once you're in you're committed.

Kit that I'd recommend from these experiences: Seal Skinz waterproof socks (great, until the water level gets above the top of the sock), the Endura Cordura waterproof gloves, and Gore Active jacket. Not so handy: the Planet-X superlight saddle with a water-absorbing strip down the middle. Wet arse from mile 1

150 miles done so far, 150 to go

2 Attachments

Did a lovely 50k today in the winter sunshine
No cold, no wet, no suffering.

Nowhere near enough miles for a roundel

Pissing down here (Eastbourne), about to head out the door for 55 miles.

struggling to find the motivation to go out and do 80km today.. this weather has the ability to suck the soul out of any sane person.

Struggling to find the motivation to do anything. Tired after yesterday and it's still wet and windy. Problem is I can't do any riding on Sunday/Monday, so my only real option is 130 miles tomorrow. Which would be fine normally but the forecast is shit...

I felt like I was going to die when I got home yesterday. Shoes hadn't really dried out from the day before so even with the magical plastic bag trick it only took about 15 miles before the wet and the chill really set in and started making my toes alternately numb and painful. Had intended to do 60 miles but there was a horrible headwind coming from the west battering my face the whole way so turned round after only 20. Then did another 20 miles in the opposite direction also into a headwind?!!!

Got home and fell asleep in the bath, then went to bed at 7pm. Woke up today at 11am. Checked my emails and Strava are sending me a little note to tell me they're starting a "base mile challenge" on the 1st january. Fuck off, Strava!

I rode to work today. 14k. Soggy again.

#totallysmashingitman

#did480mileinadaythoughsonottooupsetaboutmylackofwintermileage

Checked my emails and Strava are sending me a little note to tell me they're starting a "base mile challenge" on the 1st january. Fuck off, Strava!

I dispute the base-miles theory of training, however if I ride to work every weekday from Jan 7th - 31st I'll log over 600. Last year's 50th highest mileage was about 1200 miles, the "winner" did over 3k.

fuck me, at one point near matching green, the colnago was floating...

aquavelo