What is the Festive 500?

The Rapha Festive 500 – where the holiday spirit is measured in kilometres and pedal strokes! It’s that time of the year when Santa’s sleigh gets some competition from cycling enthusiasts aiming to cover 500 km, or as some might nostalgically call it, 310 miles. Roads, trails and turbo trainers-anything goes as long as your mileage is logged via a GPS device or smart turbo. It’s the ultimate test of endurance amidst the festive cheer!

What do you need?

A bike 😉

Obviously, you need a working bike or smart bike which can be linked to your Strava account. Doesn’t matter if it’s a road, gravel or mountain bike, get on it and ride!

GPS device

To complete the Festive 500, you need to use a GPS device. Sadly, relying on logging miles by hand wont cut it. Sorry, not sorry!

A STRAVA account

Don’t forget to adjust your security settings to hide where your rides start and finish. You’re best off setting at least a 1.5km private zone around your house. If you haven’t got Strava yet then you can download it for free to your phone or pc by clicking the icon below. If you already have Strava, you can follow this link to join the Festive 500!

Winter kit

Chances are, most of us will attempt to ride outside. If you need some assistance choosing some suitable kit, check out our winter kit essentials blog here! Thank us later!

Why should you do the festive 500?

Fitness Challenge

It’s an excellent opportunity to set a fitness goal and challenge yourself. Riding 500 kilometres in just over a week does require commitment, consistency, and dedication, especially seeing as most people around you will be indulging in the food and drink! Get out there and burn off some turkey!

Clear your mind

Cycling is not only a physical activity but also a great way to clear your mind and relieve stress. Taking part in the Festive 500 can provide a mental break during the busy holiday season, allowing you to focus on your well-being while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of cycling.

Exploration

Riding 500km over eight days might encourage you to explore new routes, take different paths, and discover areas you might not have considered before. It’s a chance to explore your local area or venture further afield, adding an element of adventure to your rides. Alternatively, you can ride around Watopia 😉

Recognition

The Festive 500 has a vibrant online community of cyclists from the UK and worldwide participating in the same challenge. Sharing your progress, experiences, and encouragement with others who are also tackling the same goal can be incredibly motivating and fosters a sense of camaraderie.

When (come on guys, PMA!) you complete the full 500km and share via Strava, you will earn an exclusive digital badge to honour your accomplishment, along with a 20% discount code for purchases at Rapha. Moreover, you’ll be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a Cannondale road bike and a £1,000 Rapha voucher. shwing!

Start as you mean to continue

Setting and working towards a goal like the festive 500 is certainly a good way to end your year on a  high and kickstart your training or fitness campaign for the coming year. Give it a go!

Whatever you do and however far you ride, stay safe out there and enjoy! If you are worried about crash damage, Pedal Cover offer a standalone bicycle and a combined home and bicycle insurance policy. For more information, give our team a call on 0800 121 4424