The Rapha Festive 500

Fuuuuuuuuuuuu what a nut.

fuck me that was brutal. retarded headwind from ongar all the way to loughton, flooded roads, rivers and then torrential downpours to top it all off.

dear australians, we don't give a monkeys you are able to bash out 250km in SUNNY weather.

this could be a tough one this year

As long as I do not hurt myself basking the goose I might be alright.

Good start Ludwig, only 240 miles to go :)

Another year of not doing the 500 for me. I've only just finished my course of antibiotics for a chest infection, back at work on the 30th and too many whole day social commitments before then...

Not letting that stop me riding though. Went out in Warwickshire this afternoon to be greeted by an epic headwind - was glad I'd plotted the first half of the ride into the wind. Bit wet around here at the moment (again)...

That's meant to be a field.

^plastic sheet to keep potatoes warm, no?

Growing strawberries...

I'll be heading out tomorrow, fingers crossed my rear tyre holds up.

16% of the 500 done. Wind, rain, wind, sun, wind, hail...I hate you weather! Still, some amazing views at the top of the climbs...Just hope my legs recover for tomorrows ride into the wind.

great shot! seeing as we are adding pics of scenes after the storm

great pic, dsan... ominous yellow sunset, though

Felt like the sunset was goading me, especially after 30 mins before it was pure hell

As long as I do not hurt myself basking the goose I might be alright.

Try basting it, might be safer.

Ain't been on the bike in over a month, set out today in the worst wind I've ever ridden. Not a glimpse of the sun in the sky all day, bonked at 60k and limped to the 100k mark in the dark, pissing rain, alone.

That was mentally exhausting. Hope the wind drops for the rest of the week!

you are all heroes

some nutter in Singapore already completed it, in one go. 16hours at 30kmh average.

I bet roads in Singapore don't look like..

Lots of trees down in the Meon Valley today, flooding a lot less severe than this time last year however.

My ride was in beautiful sunshine for the first 40 miles, then heavy rain for the final four.

Rapha racecape does what it says on the tin in terms of waterproofing, I did find myself wanting access to a rear pocket around halfway round however, which was tricky.

Very eventful day before me and the bike made it into Cologne cathedral to light a candle for mph and VAM each.

5 Attachments

Very impressed by the quire.

Woke up with a cold. Farewell, Festive 500.

124km in 2 days, Should have ridden around the block.

Signed up for this, but ended up going back to the parents gaff to eat 5000cals per day instead. A Better challenge, am succeeding so far

Set out anyway this morning, despite a cold. I woke up feeling good, so why not, right?

http://verticaljapan.blogspot.jp/2013/12/a-series-of-dawning-realisations.html

Rode 85 flat kilometres; nearly puked and shat myself. Simultaneously. Awesome.

Yep, Festive 500 is fucked.

Jadias good on you for trying. I've done the 500 since they started it and this year seems to be the hardest. Utterly knackered legs and conditions that make riding just, well, shite. You need to at least enjoy being on the bike to want to do the pain bit.

Funny how some people ride only because Rapha and Strava challenged them.

Inspirational push can be good - gregarious animal reflex :]