Rapha Festive 500. Anyone doing it?

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Ming the Merciless

There is no mercy
Location
Inside my skull
In saying that one of those is a ‘Semi Professional’ rider

That’s not necessary, you just need the time. Outside you can just consider it touring where you need to average 62.5km a day. Three hours or so a day
 

Dogtrousers

Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Anyone doing it this year?

I'm not doing it this year. I only had the one opportunity during lockdown, so I've only managed it once. Normally I'm doing other stuff so I don't have the time. But is that a decent excuse? Well, maybe not ...

I popped in to Herne Hill velodrome this evening to give brief support a small group of nutters (one on a Brompton) who are doing it all in one go, round and round and round and round the velodrome. I've got to be honest, it's not the most gripping of spectator sports. :smile:

https://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/festive500
 
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Pblakeney

Über Member
Anyone doing it this year?

I'm not doing it this year. I only had the one opportunity during lockdown, so I've only managed it once. Normally I'm doing other stuff so I don't have the time. But is that a decent excuse? Well, maybe not ...

I popped in to Herne Hill velodrome this evening to give brief support a small group of nutters (one on a Brompton) who are doing it all in one go, round and round and round and round the velodrome. I've got to be honest, it's not the most gripping of spectator sports. :smile:

https://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/festive500

Nope. I used to do it when it was outdoors only, then I got a trainer and have since gone soft as regards weather.
I consider doing it indoors as cheating but I am aware that this may be an unpopular opinion.
 

Webbo2

Über Member
Nope. I used to do it when it was outdoors only, then I got a trainer and have since gone soft as regards weather.
I consider doing it indoors as cheating but I am aware that this may be an unpopular opinion.

I didn’t even think about it this year and it’s probably been the first year since I‘ve been aware of it that it would have possible weather wise here
 

AlanW

Legendary Member
Location
Not to sure?
29 miles to go in the morning and another year ticked off, which is a day longer than it usually takes me.

But once again (and yes l say it every year!!!) l was determined l wasn't going to do it due to a niggly left knee injury.

So that every year completed since it was first introduced in 2010

Although l have to say, back in the beginning it was certainly more of a challenge, as no indoor rides were allowed.
 

Alex321

Guru
Location
South Wales
Never done it, and wouldn't have had a chance this year as came down with a bad cold type virus (probably RSV) the Saturday before Christmas, and only just got over it enough to get out for a shore ride today. Even hen I was coughing badly for 10 minutes after I got home.
 

Dorset Boy

Senior Member
Nope. I used to do it when it was outdoors only, then I got a trainer and have since gone soft as regards weather.
I consider doing it indoors as cheating but I am aware that this may be an unpopular opinion.

It's clearly not cheating doing it inside as the rules state that indoor rides count.
It is a different challenge though - instead of coping with the cold (and often wet), you are literally pedalling for every second, and many will go beyond the 500 kms.
I know of 2 people who did it in 2 days inside - 250 kms on Sat, 250 kms on Sun - that's at least as big a challenge as doing it outside
 

Norry1

Legendary Member
Location
Warwick
I'm 63% complete so far with 3 days to go. I'm doing it all on Zwift which in most ways makes it simpler. Still not easy though ..............
 

Pblakeney

Über Member
It's clearly not cheating doing it inside as the rules state that indoor rides count.
It is a different challenge though - instead of coping with the cold (and often wet), you are literally pedalling for every second, and many will go beyond the 500 kms.
I know of 2 people who did it in 2 days inside - 250 kms on Sat, 250 kms on Sun - that's at least as big a challenge as doing it outside

I said it was my opinion, and that it would be an unpopular one. Still stands, and the original rules were "no indoor riding".
Having done both, the indoors one is far easier to achieve.
 

Dogtrousers

Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Just got a message from the chap I was chatting to at Herne Hill Velodrome last night. He was (and still is) there supporting his wife. She is into the last 20km. They started around lunchtime yesterday I think.

That's an impressive feat.
 

sevenfourate

Devotee of OCD
I said it was my opinion, and that it would be an unpopular one. Still stands, and the original rules were "no indoor riding".
Having done both, the indoors one is far easier to achieve.

I’m with you. While the fitness of doing 500km in two days any way you like is incomprehensible for me.

The challenge of doing ‘that’ indoors is zero.
 
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