2020 Festive 500

The Festive500 was formally launched in 2010 by former Rapha designer Graeme Raeburn and has been an annual event since. Graeme actually got the idea after riding 1,000 km in 2009 as a one man against the elements kind of thing, and wanted to make it more of a social thing, challenging folk to also get out on their bikes but over a more achievable distance.

I've always thought it to be the most antisocial thing to do at Christmas, a time when most of us are with friends and family, and, in my case, with people who don't cycle! However, with this year being one where socialising has not been an easy option, I thought, for the first time ever, of giving it a go.

 
My attempt, however, was probably more akin to Graeme's first year, in that it's been a very solo challenge and the elements have been contending with 20 hours of mindless riding on a turbo! Yes, some may say, like my former hero, Peter Sagen, that's not real cycling but I have 3 reasons why this year more than any, I disagree .. and who's Peter Sagen?

1. We all have a duty, where we can, to protect oneself and others from Covid. The best protection is isolation. I lost my only cousin to this pandemic earlier this year and so it's understandably one thing at the forefront of my mind.
2. Because of (1) I've had my worst year of cycling since I returning to the 'sport' 7 years ago. I cycled at least 50% less this year than in past years. My bike(s) are now of dubious road worthiness and as for fitness, well 50km in a week would be a challenge let alone 500km! My Turbo gives me the freedom to replicate the act of cycling in isolation and free from the risk of being stranded miles from home, alone, either with broken bike or body.
3. I've been working 9-5 from Christmas Eve to New Year and so even without (1) and (2), getting time to do any serious road cycling would have been impossible. Luckily, for the first time in its 10 year history, Rapha permitted certified km completed on a turbo to count towards the Festive500.

My Festive500 Office

So, on Christmas Eve, I set up my office in the garage where, although dry, temps ranged from between 1-6 degrees. On my Specialized Roubaix bike, attached to a Wahoo turbo, I pedalled for 20 hours, held video calls and during the quieter times, completed education sessions, and rode my way through the 500 km. To make it a bit more interesting, I also looked up a few of the longer Zwift courses, I had yet to complete and could cross off, i.e. those which would take more than an hour to ride and which, I would normally never think to entertain!

There's no way I would normally want to do 2h 30m on a turbo!

I managed the first 250km by Sunday and ramped up the effort when back at work, to conclude the final 250km a day earlier than planned, and allow me some contingency. The final day, yesterday, was a painful one. It started with Zwift crashing early in the morning and losing some of the ride. I switched to another provider while I held one of my daily conference calls and then after a coffee break, I returned to Zwift, now working again. When I used to go to the gym, many years ago, I found their turbos seriously hurt my knees, something cycling on the road has hardly ever done. By this, the 7th day on the turbo, my left knee was hurting so much, that I could manage only a handful of km before having to take a rest, and any undulation in the virtual road was unpleasant, to say the least! Anyway, before lunch yesterday, on seeing the counter finally click over to 501 km, I climbed off and, with relief, ticked that box. 

An unusual thing to do in an unusual time .. the perfect way to end an unusual year! 

I wish you all a very safe, healthy and Happy New Year ... carry on cycling - however, you do it!