Thanks, I will try to capture my attempt on youtube… www.youtube.com/c/jaselikesbikes
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I did it in 4 straight days last year and really enjoyed the challenge.
Thinking of doing it again. This year I will be “mid plan” so wondering how best to account for the Rapha 500 rides.
I’m thinking just associate the Rapha rides with the planned TR workouts (even though they will be massively different in duration and intensity) and skip or reschedule other workouts as needed for recovery etc. Then allow adaptive training to do its thing…?
I guess once TR figure out how to account for unstructured outdoor rides this question will immediately be resolved…
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You could also consider putting vacation time on your TR calendar for Festive500 + a recovery week (partial week) after, which will push out your normal plan workouts. And then just pickup your plan after this.
24th - 116
25th - 0
26th - 70
27th - 108
28th - 65 (MTB)
29th - 65
30th - 112
31st - 65
Total - 601Km, all in Z1 (polarised). This excludes the commute to/from the group start location.
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I was going to, but it looks like I’m going to get PRP treatment for my tennis elbow. No riding for me that week.
True. Although I don’t really see doing the R500 as vacation time. Not an event either, more a variation on training….
As far as I’ve always understood it that’s literally the whole point of the Festive 500?
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My wife will probably do a single-day attempt. I’ll probably watch and make bottles 
She’s tossing around the idea of 500mi instead of 500km. Unsure if she’ll target single-day for that, because that’s a near-WR and she’s got a nagging ankle injury.
If she’ll let me, I’ll make a quick recap for our new youtube channel.
Thankfully we’ll be in Tucson so weather won’t be the challenge.
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I’ve done it once, it was mostly miserable weather here in Finland. Won’t like to do it again, maybe on Zwift some year in two days if i have some extra time. This year I will spend the holiday time (23rd-26th Dec) with my family and will definitely enjoy it. I am in very good shape already for next summer so it’s so nice not to stress about the kilometres. The other festive days I’m at work so it will be a recovery week then.
Without a doubt, festive 500 should be all about the challenge of getting out in the cold weather and suffering. I’m not sure why Rapha introduced the option to use indoor rides it really takes from the whole point of the challenge.
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Covid? Almost all outdoors only challenges switched to allow indoor rides when the whole world started locking down…
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I wish they would start a few days later, maybe on the 26th or 27th. As much as I would like to do the 500 I can’t bring myself to ride 62km a day from the 23rd to the 25th, lots of family activities during those days. Sure, I could skip a day or two and do some longer rides to make up for it, but not worth it. I think kicking it off on the Jan 1st would be good idea.
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Agreed. I think the marketing potential has outweighed the true point of this for Rapha. Time for someone to create another challenge and to bring back the real rewards
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The weather is different depending on where you live. Why do the northerner have to suffer more than the folks in the south or regions that don’t get fridged temperatures?
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As noted, COVID was the main driver….and for many people, 500km outdoors this time of year is not an option.
I dunno why some people have to go all “purist” on how some others choose to tackle what is a completely voluntary event and said choice has zero impact on your experience.
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For the same reason Everesting has rules.
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At the risk of being intellectually consistent, I would argue the same thing for Everestting……unless you are at the pointy end of the spear, who cares how you do it? If you climb 28k+ feet in a single ride, I say “well done” and I don’t care how you did it.
Now, I’ll also point out that the organization for Everestting has set out rules and requirements for what constitutes the challenge……just as Rapha has set out their rules and requirements for what constitutes the challenge. But in the case of the Rapha 500, some are going “purist”.
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I have never seen Rapha advertise this as a challenge for the Northern Hemisphere only and in fact they say it is a worldwide event. Is anyone in the Southern Hemisphere missing the “point”? That’s not meant as snark, and is a genuine question. I am fairly new to this challenge and don’t know the full history.
500k in 8 days is a massive challenge for some (including myself) regardless of indoors, outdoors, or combination. I say folks should push themselves and have fun regardless of location and whatever variables that brings with it.
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is there anybody around Munich willing to do this? i want to cover it in 2-3 days with big miles but need some push. Otherwise cold, dark and alone is not a good mix. I would improve my SS adaptation instead
Basically it’s a fun challenge that motivates people to ride their bikes.
Some people find it easy due to their location, fitness level & free time etc etc. Others have it harder, not very fit, crap weather. Regardless, it doesn’t matter, get out there and enjoy the time on your bike whether that’s outside or inside.
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