Every year since 2010, Rapha has laid down a festive riding challenge: to ride 500 kilometres between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The #Festive500 started in the South of England but in the 10 years since, it has grown to become a global challenge.
To date, riders have covered over 130 million kilometres; and the challenge has become a rite of passage for many cyclists around the world. In 2020, the challenge enters its eleventh year. Rapha notes that there are now more ways than ever to go the distance during the festive period.
A release from Rapha stated…
‘For many of us, motivating ourselves during the colder months can be more of a challenge than the ride itself. For the first time, in partnership with Zwift, we’re taking the fight for form and fitness online.
‘Zwift’s online community has grown stronger than ever and we hope that by allowing virtual kilometres to contribute to the overall distance, riders from around the world can support each other in the lack of group riding and socialising outside.
‘Rapha and Zwift are also offering a series of group training rides to keep you riding in preparation for the Festive 500.
Riders aiming to go the distance can sign in and join the challenge via their Strava account. When the challenge begins on Christmas Eve, riders log their rides, watch the kilometres mount up, and ‘collect the coveted finisher’s roundel upon completion of the challenge.’
To accompany the challenge, Rapha’s Festive 500 apparel collection includes everything from a lightweight snood to an ass saver. This year, the design is inspired by weather radars, a nod to the myriad weather conditions between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The collection comprises: technical t-shirts (men’s and women’s), indoor training tanks (men’s and women’s), cap, beanie, snood, socks, ass saver, bidon and a musette.
Those completing the challenge could be in line to win the latest Canyon adventure bike. This year, all finishers can enter a prize draw to win a Canyon Grail CF SL 8 with SRAM’s latest AXS eTap groupset. The entry form will become available on rapha.cc on 24th December.
Rapha added… ‘For this year’s #Festive500, we’re giving you all the tools you need to successfully complete the challenge with sessions on Instagram Live starting in December. From talks on training in winter to Q&As with pro athletes like Kadeena Cox, you’ll be #Festive500 ready before you know it.’
Pro riders Kadeena Cox and Hannah & Alice Barnes will be hosting live Q&As on the @rapha_uk Instagram account on December 8th and December 22nd.
