Rapha Festive 500km 2026

[Cycling Badger]

If it motivates you to get out on a bike then it might be fun to have a challenge.

I wouldn’t be too ridged on the 500km and adjust the goal to suit the weather and personal circumstance.
Perhaps prioritising time on bike, or riding every day - even if it’s just an hours MTB ride on local trails.
The hardest part for me is stepping outside the door in the wind and freezing rain - but once you’re out and past caring about getting wet it’s defiantly rewarding. It’s really just about having a little extra motivation to cross the threshold of the front door.

It should probably come with a health warning - it’s not worth causing friction in the household by being too focused on such a challenge!

Personally I find that I’m chasing some arbitrary annual mileage target that I usually picked around entering the last quarter of the year.
This year I landed on needing 140km per week between now and the end of the year - not feeling to hopeful!
But I consider this a stretch target and if I fall short, but gave it my best shot then I’m happy.

 

[Dogtrousers]

it’s not worth causing friction in the household by being too focused on such a challenge!

It was the weirdness of lockdown Christmas 2020 that gave me the opportunity to focus on it.

As I did my laps of SE London on Christmas day I remember seeing cars with families driving around and thinking "I bet you're off to visit granny aren't you? You law-breakers!".

 

[steveindenmark]

I did it properly (outside) twice. It was unpleasant I’ll admit but I felt better for doing it.
Then I got a trainer and wouldn’t consider doing it again. Doing it indoors is cheating imo, and not the point.

I would not call it cheating. But there should be an inside and outside challenge for the northern hemisphere.

 

[matticus]

I would not call it cheating. But there should be an inside and outside challenge for the northern hemisphere.

uh-oh - you've triggered my Pet Peeve! It's pretty crazy claiming the badge by riding in a country where their Christmas weather is better for cycling than our May weather. grumble grumble ...

Where is the challenge in riding 500km in 7days, during a national holiday, UNLESS THE WEATHER IS CARP. Makes no sense!!!

 

[Dogtrousers]

claiming the badge

They'd discontinued the badge by the time I got around to doing it. Still ...

 

[Cycling Badger]

It was the weirdness of lockdown Christmas 2020 that gave me the opportunity to focus on it.

As I did my laps of SE London on Christmas day I remember seeing cars with families driving around and thinking "I bet you're off to visit granny aren't you? You law-breakers!".

All well that ends well

 

[Milzy]

I might do the Zwift one. Years back I did it outside in sub zero temps. Ruined my Christmas holiday. Before I knew it I was back to work in Jan burned out.

 

[Webbo2]

I attempted it about 5 years and my third day I got about 5 miles in only to find the road covered in slush. The weather went downhill from there. So sacked it off.

 

[Milzy]

I attempted it about 5 years and my third day I got about 5 miles in only to find the road covered in slush. The weather went downhill from there. So sacked it off.

This happened to a club member so he got the mountain bike out and slowly mashed his way through it. Must have been awful but couldn’t accept failure.

 

[steveindenmark]

*Not sure the best forum category for this. Please move if required.

Anyone planning / thinking ahead for this ? It’s never appealed or really registered before - but for some reason it just crossed my mind: and I’m keen !

*I don’t do indoor cycling. So mine will be an outdoor attempt. Hope the Weather is kind…….

I am making my own up and it will all be outdoors. Mine will be 'Steve's 300km'. Just getting out of bed will be a challenge and Being in Denmark, I also have 2 christmas days to get through.

 

[sevenfourate]

I am making my own up and it will all be outdoors. Mine will be 'Steve's 300km'. Just getting out of bed will be a challenge and Being in Denmark, I also have 2 christmas days to get through.

Good for you Steve ! I’m truly excited by it if I’m honest. Mine too will all be outdoors (Whatever I manage !) and getting wrapped up, food stashed, lights on, music on the go - and getting out and enjoying some fresh air in the Hols sounds really good to me.

Could all change if its dry (Not icy) but bitterly cold etc of course. We’ll tackle that when it comes. But at the moment; the Challenge is one I’m looking forward to. And as above - the plan is to kick the ar5e out of it Xmas Eve daytime: getting out early - and spinning out way over the daily mileage quota to get ahead of the gane.

Wishing all participants good weather (Especially those venturing outside 😆) and the best of Luck 🍀