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The Festive 500 Finale

By Joe Hall • 30th December 2010 01:12pm • Posted in Rides

There's roughly 24 hours to go of the Rapha Festive 500. We've been overwhelmed with how many riders worldwide have risen to the challenge. As we trawl through all the photography, video, Garmin data and words, here's a selection of entries that have caught our eye on blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Bon courage.

Its position in the road required me to completely block two lanes of traffic to take the shot with my phone. – Troy Allen Coleman

– Dirk Maertins

Heavy snow reduced me to a 20kph crawl on my cross bike. Absolutely beautiful, 242km so far.
– James Fairbank

Texas Wind. – Jason Sager

Only managed 50 miles today with the Northeast blizzard. The 500k is going to be tough. – Mike Eng

Day 1: Getting down this 1-in-4 hill was only half the story. The ascent of the other side was 1-in-3! Just a minor sticking (slipping?) point in an otherwise perfect 117kms through the Yorkshire Dales. – Mike Salkeld

www.twotoneatl.com

Comments

Jan Sotorník

30th December 2010 02:24pm

Just finished http://vjednomkole.posterous.com/

Quite happy about that :).

Thanks Rapha and all riders for extra motivation!

Pierre Vanden Borre

30th December 2010 03:02pm

With major New England snow I abandoned after 250K, but that's about 250K more than I would've done without this campaign. So thanks for that. And it was a really cool to see everyone elses' exploits all over the globe! Big ups to all that gave it a shot and especially those that stuck with it.

Stefan Rohner

30th December 2010 03:36pm

http://www.stefan-rohner.net/blog/

714km

have a happy new year.

Rory Berry

30th December 2010 04:33pm

Last ride fixed and done. Should be a cheap new years, beers will go straight through me!
http://www.deathstare.net/2010/12/30/festive-500-final-ride/
562.3 km

Thanks Rapha.

Henrik Öijer

30th December 2010 10:10pm

http://aswedishcyclist.blogspot.com/2010/12/rapha-festive-500-day-7-8.html

Almost 7 hours in the saddle today and 8½ hours of work. I did what I had to do and got 501.29 kilometers during the Rapha Festive 500 But I did it. Now I am going to my bed, where I probably will fall a sleep immediately.

Daniel Geber

30th December 2010 11:01pm

Day One, December 23rd

Dark early morning skies? Check. Freezing temperatures with roads coated in ice and salt? Check. Bombed-out New York City streets? Check. Hitting the road before sunrise, logging in 124.8 km riding around Manhattan? It must be day one of the Rapha Festive 500. Wind was howling all day, the sun never quite came out so it felt much colder than the temperature reading suggested. Managed to flat a new Conti GP 4 Season tire. Ever tried to fix a flat while loosing feeling in your fingertips? It was still a beautiful day.


Day Two, December 24th

Couple of degrees warmer today but still windy. Having the sun out helped. Rode over 100 km today, 106.7 exactly. Came across several cyclists wearing Rapha – wondering if they were also riding the RF500.


Day Three, December 25th

Christmas, late start, still cold. Decided to ride towards Bear Mountain, as a bit of a homage to one of the early Rapha Gentlemen’s rides. While the full ride is over 160 km, I set 125 km as target for the day. Paused on the George Washington Bridge only to realize how little attention I pay to the spectacular view of Manhattan every time I ride over the bridge. Even though there was no snow, the atmosphere became more Christmas-like as I kept riding away from Manhattan. Decorated front yards, “closed” signs on business storefronts, virtually traffic-less streets. As I kept going, ride statistics became less and less important so I could just enjoy taking in the surroundings. Stat for the day: 123.5 km for a total of 355.


Day Four, December 26th

Short ride today. Lazy morning, got out on the bike late and caught the beginning of the snow storm that has since blanketed New York City. Roads turned quickly into a slushy mix of melting snow and salt. Was not looking forward to scraping massive amounts of dried salt off the bike so decided to call it a day early.


Day Five, December 27th

The city is digging its way out of what is being called the sixth worst snow storm in New York’s meteorological history which goes back to the 1800’s. Bad news: staying off the bike. Good news: still three days left to complete the challenge, the weather should be warming up and only have less than 100 km to go.


Day Six, December 28th

Still snowed under. Went to work today. Zero riding. Hoping to get back on the bike tomorrow.


Day Seven, December 29th

Felt like a real “Flandrien” today. Mix of melting snow and salt everywhere. Just getting to Central Park which is a couple of blocks away felt like an obstacle course. Installed a new set of fenders. Good idea - had melted snow caked on brake calipers and seat stays but none on my behind. Stayed in the park for half a dozen very slow loops. “You’re very brave” one of the runners said to me as we were going up a hill side by side. Hey, it’s the RF500… Cleaned the bike thoroughly upon returning home. A bit over 30 km to go.


Day Eight, December 30th

C’est fini!!! What many thought would have been an easy test turned into a true challenge due to the weather so that my original planning which called for being done within four or five days has proven too ambitious. Whereas I initially thought of it as too modest, your choice of a 500 km target turned out to be a judicious decision in the end. Merci Rapha for getting me going and enjoying THE FREEDOM OF THE
OPEN ROAD.

Rupert Cox

31st December 2010 01:45am

I am 12 years old and maybe Rapha's youngest fan! I have just completed my Festive 500 with 522 kms and over 5,000 meters of climbing. At the beginning I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it but in the end I found my legs and finished. The worst bit was riding back in the dark at 6:00p.m. for an hour while I was freezing and the best bit was cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge and everyone acting like roadblocks in the way of my goal.

Tim Cox

31st December 2010 01:46am

That's my boy! We certainly had a great time doing this together, discovering new roads and sharing numerous laughs (and sandwiches at Starbucks). Some of our photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=312813&;id=603807526&l=01d1617820. Thanks, Rapha, for inspiring us all to take on the challenge!

Tarik Saleh

31st December 2010 02:19am

Well done everyone who tried and a big congrats to all that finished. I rode every days in two states and amid family vacation and snow storm. I came in with 174.6 miles, but still declare it a win for me.

Tarik Saleh

31st December 2010 02:21am

Clicked send to soon, that was 174.6 km and the reports are here:
http://tsaleh.blogspot.com/search/label/festive%20500

Emily Brock

31st December 2010 02:56am

Thanks Rapha for a great time on the bike! Six great rides totaled 500.62 km. The last post includes links to all the previous day's posts and can be found here… http://sheridesbikes.blogspot.com/2010/12/festive-day-seven.html

Marion Hambrick

31st December 2010 03:23am

My Festive 500 is complete. Thanks to the good folks at Rapha for hosting this challenge and bringing cyclists from around the world together. Here's to a great 2011.

http://www.trainingpeaks.com/marionhambrick

Daniel Geber

31st December 2010 04:56am

Here's the link to Flickr photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57568341@N06/sets/72157625695150454/

Happy New Year!

Stephen Dodson

31st December 2010 08:41am

Festive 500 complete. Many thanks to Rapha for the motivation.

Richmond Park, Surrey Hills, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Malibu. Will put together a compilation after rest day tomorrow. twitter.com/chasingdynamos

sheldon starkey

31st December 2010 12:34pm

Work and the big freeze here in Cheshire (England) put paid to any proper attempt of the Rapha 500. Gotta say ‘chapeau’ to those who completed it!

Sioux Geonz

31st December 2010 03:37pm

Okay, how 'bout that '1000 km by Valentine's Day' challenge?

William OShaughnessy

31st December 2010 03:49pm

Long Island , NY December-2010: Cold Temps,, HOt Chai Tea in my metal Bidon.. still the first two days brutal winds and then the snow started got thru 200k and on some busy roads with rash drivers i thought it best to be safe.. still want to be around for the next one..My cap off to all those who made it to 500..the next Cafe is on me..

Cheers All towards 2011

Willy Carmelo
www.velocipede.cc

Daniel Carruthers

31st December 2010 03:54pm

Great way to end 2010 with great winter training! I have showcased Hangzhou, China for the rest of the world. I spent more time taking photos on some of the days and still managed to cycle 726kms! www.danielcarruthers.com Happy New Year to you all and thanks to Rapha for putting on this world-wide challenge…

Jens Voigt

31st December 2010 04:18pm

629 kilometers http://www.tourofcalifornia.org/2010/12/festive-500.html

Bjarte Bjørgen Olsen

31st December 2010 05:41pm

Here is all my blog entries and a little movie at the end. http://tiny.cc/ayi94

David Christenson

31st December 2010 05:59pm

5 days riding, 525km traveled, good times…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57485496@N08/sets/72157625589469061/

Aaron Hulme

31st December 2010 06:40pm

Thank you again Rapha for a perfect end to the year. We were so inspired by all the other festive 500 riders we fit in one last route. Maurice Lee even put together a little video of our longest day.

Chapeau, everyone!

New photos and a video in the post here:
http://www.suppenkuche.com/new.html

e vad

31st December 2010 07:05pm

Final report… DNF: http://therealevad.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/redlobster-final-report/

Jonathan Woodroof

31st December 2010 08:08pm

Thank you Joe for featuring Howard's post! I'll be rolling with him next year!

Guan Seng Eng

1st January 2011 02:04am

504.9km/313.74miles completed. Rode under sunny skies and winter storm, slid on ice and cracked a brake lever, cabbie ran the light sending me sprawled on ice and tarmac. Chipped handlebar, but the most painful was the small tear on my Rapha Winter Jersey.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60745685
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61341533

Thanks Rapha for the motivation.

Marlena Klaic

1st January 2011 02:18am

It's done! 7500 metres climbed in 500kms over 7 days. Thanks Victoria for the good weather and thanks Rapha for the awesome challenge and most of all, thanks to the boyfriend for planning and executing the trip. Check out the journey:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=271668&;id=759983694

Marlena

Marlena Klaic

1st January 2011 03:15am

I am the boyfriend mentioned in Marlena's blog above. Tired legs after dragging my sorry ass up big hills.

Check out our rides, if you are ever in Victoria Australia in summer there is no better place than our Alps. All are between 1500 and 1800 m, roads are quite, views spectacular.

Happy New Year to all.

Hutcho

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/26474330

Ad Vermaas

1st January 2011 09:35pm

It's already been said by many others, but thanks Rapha for this exciting challenge! And a challenge it was, due to the freezing cold and the sometimes very slippery Dutch roads… I've posted some pictures on Twitter during the ride and my Flipbook-evidence on your Facebook wall.

I had already huge respect for the 1,000k ride of Graeme Raeburn, but this respect increased even further each of my five days on the bike!

My Rapha gear did very well in the wet and the cold, but could you please hurry up with that amazing, automatic refilling and hot tea or coffee making, good looking Rapha termal bidon?! It should also have an fold-out compartment for some liquor.

Happy New Year to all of you!

http://flipbook.tv/view/18B1DDDD-E877-47AA-931A-4090512328C6/

Ad Vermaas

2nd January 2011 12:26am

@Rupert Cox: well done!!

Nate Ripperton

2nd January 2011 03:11am

Just getting around to finding an internet connection to upload some photos and thoughts. see the blog link below.

http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-557166.html

Mark Hutchison

2nd January 2011 05:47am

Take 2 - tried to put a comment yesterday but was logged is as my girlfriend Marlena. Completed 500km in 7 days on 30/12 in the Victorian Alps (Australia). None of that snow to contend with down here, quite warm at times in fact and lots of sun.

All rides posted on Mapmyride. Link below:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/26474330

John Russell

3rd January 2011 08:46am

I finally got around to making sure all of my rides were posted on MapMyRide.com:
http://classic.mapmyride.com/user_training?u=1812871

Additionally, there are some updates about the rides on my Facebook profile:
http://www.facebook.com/jr98664

I managed to cover a total of 469 miles, or 755 km, over the course of the week, followed by a new Year's Eve ride of 124 miles (200 km, a double metric century) to bring my yearly grand total for 2010 to exactly 10,000 miles (16,093 km).

During this week, I managed to work my rear derailleur to the point of literally breaking into pieces, losing a day of riding as a result, as no shops are open on Christmas day. In an effort to round off my odometer to 10,000 miles for the year, I decided to take my last half week of the year and cycle from my home in Vancouver, Washington, just out of Portland, Oregon all of the way to Canada in just over two days, covering nearly 500 km in the process. I was able to put in my longest ride to date of 160 miles (257 km) cycling nearly all of the way up to Seattle in rain, sleet, and snow, setting out before sunrise to slide into my destination on icy roads well after sundown.

I needed to get to my goal of 10,000 in 2010. Thank you for the inspiration, Rapha!

Stephen Campbell

4th January 2011 10:09am

424miles, 678km done. Mix of two days commuting in London, followed by two days in Northern Thailand near my wifes parents home, then a three day tour back to Bangkok. All good fun!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60455674
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60505499
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60643065
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60756034
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61244332
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61244300
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61244303

Mark Adams

4th January 2011 02:09pm

Amen to Texas wind.

---From Dallas, TX

Tim Simmons

4th January 2011 03:20pm

Finally have put all of my photos with captions into an album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=320758&;id=517547323&l=e6c9c178f6

Grant Goudge

4th January 2011 04:55pm

Cycling 500km in Bermuda what could be easier I hear you all cry. Especially when I see the photos of people in eskimo gear sledding down snow covered icescapes.
Normally 500km at this time of year would be a breeze, but due to Al Gore and his warming trends the weather was awful, not ice cold but, try winds of hurricane proportion. The worst day was Tuesday after Boxing day when gusts were hitting 70knts, swirling in all sorts of directions and the sea spray played havoc with my mechanical sympathy luckily the hail showers washed most of the salt off. Hardest 50 miles I ever done. 70 miles on New Years eve so two of us notch our belt and conclude job done. What the feck was festive about that we declared.

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