It’s the festive season, and one thing that means is the Rapha Festive 500 – run in partnership with Strava – is back, challenging you to ride 500 kilometres between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
First launched in 2010, Rapha says that tens of thousands of riders around the world now take part in the initiative, which encourages people to get off the sofa and get active at a time many are taking an extended break from work.
What’s more, there’s a woven badge for everyone who successfully completes it, with people encouraged to document their travels to win prizes including a custom-made Moots bike.
The winner of that – for “the submission that best represents the spirit of the Festive 500” – will win travel to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to pick up a Moots Routt or Routt 45 bicycle built to their own specifications.
Other prizes include a spot on the Rapha Travel Randonnée Alps 2017 trip for whoever submits the best film, as well as the opportunity to make the next Rapha Travel film.
And even if you don’t manage to complete the entire 500km, there’s also a prize for the ‘Most Epic Failure’ – a Wahoo bike computer with heart rate monitor, and speed and cadence sensors.
Head here to sign up, and happy riding.
18 thoughts on “It’s that time of year – the Rapha Festive 500 is back”
F*** that for a game of
F*** that for a game of soldiers. This quality street isn’t going to eat itself.
Deeferdonk wrote:
I am sorry for the people that lost the Toffee Deluxe but there has always been too many toffees in QS. Hmm, sorry, what, this is not about chocolate? Oh cycling at Christmas. Yeah, I am still trying to break through 1000km in a month for the summer, let alone 500km in a week when I STILL have to work and see family. At between 25 and 33 1/3 kpm that is 15-20 hours cycling, probably longer once you factor in all the other gubbins you need to do like eating and showering. This strikes me as a lonely and/or pointless pursuit at the best of times, but especially at this time of year. Unless you are a man of leisure, who doesn’t have to work, then lucky you. Might go for a bit of a ride on some quiet festive roads this weekend, but a couple of hours tops.
Almost as silly as Rapha’s
Almost as silly as Rapha’s special edition pink earphones.
One of the main determinants in just how far someone can ride over the festive period is the weather – snow and gales and heavy rain reduce riding time. How ‘credible’ 500km as a chanellenge is, I don’t know.
All sounds a bit silly.
Can we not just ride a bike
Can we not just ride a bike over Christman without it having something to do with Rapha?
drosco wrote:
Yes, of course you can.People don’t have to participate in this or anything else (e.g. getting drunk on NYE), it’s not compulsory.
I think of the Festive 500 as a good prompt/motivation to ride more over the break than I might otherwise do, but nothing more.
Simon E wrote:
What? Are you sure about that? Where did you get this information?
mike the bike wrote:
What? Are you sure about that? Where did you get this information?
— Simon ETop secret, old chap.
I couldn’t possibly divulge my sources!
Some dude already completed
Some dude already completed the challenge…
is it humanly possibly…or are these people insane…
The _Kaner wrote:
Mixture of both, you always get a few people who head out at just gone midnight on Christmas Eve and ride 500+ km in one go. One guy rode the length of Finland (in the snow!) a couple of years ago to get to his girlfriend’s house for Christmas. There’s some really interesting stories come out of some of these rides. 🙂
I’m 150km in after two days.
I’m 150km in after two days. It’s a challenge trying to find the time but I’ve ridden greater distances in a week before – both days I’ve hit the road early and I’m revelling in guilt free consumption of food and booze.
Not for everyone but I’ve enjoyed it so far (and I have the week off).
jasecd wrote:
Well done and I agree, it’s not for everyone but Christmas is a really difficult time for a lot of people for many reasons. Something like this might just be the ticket as a welcome distraction. A point missed by some.
I did it last year, on my
I did it last year, on my fourth time of trying. This year, I’m back in Wales and after massive family events in the previous months, I haven’t even been out yet.
It is worth doing, and it’s not that difficult if you have plenty of flat routes. I got the Rapha coaster sent to me. I still feel like I achieved something, but last year I had no dependents so it’s not likely to happen again.
I wrote it up in my blog, if you’re interested:
dottigirl wrote:
That top photos is surely overlooking Borth from the Clarach road, isn’t it? Beautiful but not a route for those looking to clock up easy kms!
dottigirl wrote:
Good effort getting that done so soon after such major surgery!
Yep, it was the Ystwyth Mince
Yep, it was the Ystwyth Mince Pie ride a few years ago.
The first year, I came within 40 miles of finishing the 500, but after having done most of it by myself, I was in bits. The riding around there is not easy on the body.
152 miles on 24th, 59 on 26th
152 miles on 24th, 59 on 26th and 110 on 27th. Days to spare this year compared to last year which was lastminute.com
Can I wait for the sale and
Can I wait for the sale and just do 350km?
don simon wrote:
Yes. But the badge will be two sizes too small for you and only available in chartreuse.