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1000 Christmas Kilometres

By Joe Hall • 25th December 2009 10:32pm • Posted in Misc

Graeme Raeburn is unwell. The Rapha product designer has a cold (nothing he can't handle) but he has also decided to do what most people definitely won't at this festive juncture, and that's ride 1000km during one week. Admirable but somewhat deranged. He explains below:

I've always wanted to do a 1000km in a week, it seems a nice amount but I always falter around the 800 mark due to work commitments or other distractions. I started thinking it would be interesting to do it in the middle of winter. The idea of sitting on my backside eating chocolates fills me with horror, so what better time than the week between Christmas Day and New Years Eve?

Not only is this a chance to properly test products and think about improvements, but also to know what a professional rider feels like in the middle of winter: Imagine your next season relying on the ability to endure the adverse conditions, head down, churning out a set amount of miles per week. There's no-one to lie to apart from yourself.

I'm trying to give each day a different feel for variety, and hopefully ride with some guest riders along the way.

I asked Guy, editor of Rouleur and writer of books on race training, for advice to gain the most out of the miles. He simply said 'you are mad'.

So what am I worried about? getting ill, maintaining the bike, the weather, the temperature, short daylight hours, eating enough, the boredom and mental fatigue. I've prepared for all this, apart from the last as somehow I've lost my iPod.

Weather in most of the UK is currently snow and sub zero, but the South East has thawed over the past 24hrs. Tomorrow holds an early morning run to the South Coast to deliver a present to great-aunt Tess.

Graeme

We are awaiting an update on whether great-aunt Tess got her Christmas present safely.

Comments

Gem Atkinson

26th December 2009 03:57pm

A fab if somewhat mad idea! fingers crossed the temps manage to eek themselves up a few degrees. best of luck!

George Swain

26th December 2009 08:16pm

Go Graeme! I'm sure the toasty Rapha gear you're wearing will sweeten the journey. Not sure where you'll be logging these kilometers, but you should definitely plan to ride in the London-Edinburgh-London (1400km) audax ride in 2013. It was a blast last summer and my Rapha kit made the soggy miles not only more bearable, but totally enjoyable. Paris-Brest-Paris in 2011 would be another good test of Rapha gear. Be sure to let me know if you need anyone to help test anything!

joe staples

27th December 2009 08:18pm

Your stupidity is inspiring. I'm heading out for a couple of climbs now. Nice work.

Graeme Raeburn

27th December 2009 10:13pm

Raeburn reporting in; Thanks for all the comments and words of support, it's nice to hear from you.

It's going well, slightly tougher than I was anticipating, partly due to the daylight hours, partly due to the temperature taking more out of me than I thought. Weather has been favourable, although Tuesday looks hellish. Some write-ups and pictures coming soon, including today's ride out with a guest rider…

Thanks Gem, thank goodness the snow did melt (great blog, if people haven't seen it: http://bianchista.blogspot.com)

George, great to hear you were comfortable on the LEL and thanks for the suggestion. Yep, it's been on the radar ever since it clashed with the 24hrtt this year.

Mr Staples, the Portland 'cross scene is equally inspiring, hope you've had a good season Sir

Chris Myers

28th December 2009 12:10pm

Go Graeme! You can do it!

Brian Palmer

28th December 2009 10:37pm

tell me, does your rapha softshell fasten with the sleeves at the back, and does your flat have those comfy, padded walls?

mad as a hatter, but total respect. too much ice here to make it for a coffee.

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