Do you mean in terms of not risking a bike crash and a need for medical attention when the NHS is already stretched, not riding with other people and risking spreading covid or something else?
I’m still thinking the risk is acceptable if I only ride outside solo, sensibly and in good conditions. If it’s pouring with rain and/or the roads are chock-a-block with angry frustrated drivers then I’ll definitely take it to Zwift!
Yes was referring to risk with crashing and potentially mixing with COVID areas outwith your own boundaries with an already stretched NHS, as long as you know and accept the risks then I say enjoy the ride.
I sometimes do think we look incredibly tone deaf in the midst of a pandemic doing these kinda challenges but equally if I were able to at the moment I know I would be making plans to try to complete the Festive 500 so who am I to complain.
I agree with the tone deaf comment - I see far too much poor behaviour, even from friends of mine sometimes, mixing in cafes etc, that sends a bad image. People have become too complacent in many ways and we are a visible target on the roads.
During lockdown 1 I saw and heard a lot of anti-cyclist sentiment from signs in villages to verbal abuse while out and about, and I do believe we should set the best possible example.
Festive 500 on Zwift is what I’ll be doing this year. There’ll be other years when I can do it outside, so this year I’ll be minimizing the chances of being a COVID vector or needing to go to any healthcare/hospital facilities.
Maybe they should rebrand it to the Festive “x” hours, because let’s face it! nobody on a turbo is actually travelling any kms.
Or maybe the Festive “x” TSS? 
Couldn’t agree more - with that said, spending 18+ hours on the turbo over 8 days is still an accomplishment!
I like the hours idea more, some of us might be tempted to drop our FTPs to boost our TSS!
Coming from someone who is planning the whole thing on their trainer… I totally agree about two separate challenges. Maybe this is something they will implement in the future if they see how many people actually do it indoors this year. Regardless of how you ride it, it’s a lot of distance to cover in a week, but for those doing it outside in the Nor Hemi Winter - kudos to you for a whole extra level of grit & crazy!
You could split this into loads of challenges as there’s always someone who has it easier than someone else. At the end of the day it’s just a bit of fun, don’t overthink it, just get on your bike and enjoy yourself.
Have fun with it. I have been RCC for a while now and have a few patches. Even if they did patches again you would have to be RCC. At least if I memory serves me correctly.
Are there any good tips to rack up more distance? Use TT bike on flat routes? What are the best long flat routes?
yeah thats my plan, try to do a fair bit on the TT bike, flat routes
Also have a nice hilly gravel ride planned as well though
Join one of the pace partner groups, it’s an easy way to pass the time and clock up some miles.
So knocked out day 1 with a imperial century - it’s probably going to be 1 of maybe 2 or 3 days in the Bay Area that I will ride outside due to rain. Yes, I’m a rain wimp 
How did everyone else’s day 1 go?
60km yesterday and probably 80km today. Easier doing this indoors for sure.
What is the final verdict? Does TR miles count or no? What’s the trick (if any)? or Do I need to sign up with Zwift to make it count?
No TR workouts, since they lack GPS info (real or virtual).
You need files from an app that does at least virtual GPS like Zwift, Rouvy, RGT Cycling, BKool, Tacx and others.
My TR workout from yesterday is showing up under my RF500 challenge. The challenge rules page says virtual rides count, including “trainer rides”. I imagine they don’t want to exclude people who don’t have Zwift, Rouvy, etc.
If someone wants to game it and get as many miles/km as quick as they can, they’re only cheating themselves. If I happen to finish it, I’ll know I did it right.
As you know I do Zwift and TR together. I wish TR would make the file virtual because I prefer the TR file as it has the NP.
Unfortunately I keep the Zwift one as it pairs nicely for Garmin F6X Training Status. I know I can use my Edge 530 but just another thing to remember to start. Lol
Lastly I do think gps is quite funny while riding indoors.
I think TR workouts might count if you have speed available (i.e., you pair a speed sensor). Then, when uploaded to Strava you will have distance. I have never paired the speed/cadence sensor of my Neo. As a result, a TR upload to Strava or Garmin is w/out distance.
Zwift on the other hand calculates your speed and distance based on power.
