Work With Me

Cycling

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge

3 min read

2018 marked my first crack at completing Rapha’sannual “Festive 500” cycling challenge - bike a total of 500 kilometers (310.68 miles) throughout the 8 days between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 1

With a daily average just shy of 40 miles completing the full distance seemed quite manageable. But after the first couple of rides I realized I would need to put in a few long days in the saddle in order to complete the full 500km cycling challenge.

Five rides, a solo century, new and old friends, interesting sights, dozens of delicious coffees, beautiful views, and a lot of good times later and I had earned my digital Festive 500 roundel!

Ride 1: 72.01 mi / 5,486 ft / 4h 35m

The festivities kicked off with a big group ride co-hosted by Bike Effect in Santa Monica and Rapha. It was a fun route all the way up to the backside of the Hollywood sign, which was a first for me. Some steep hills, dirt paths, potholes, and gates along the way but the view from the top was worth it. The waffles at the top were a nice bonus!

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 2 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 3 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 4 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 5 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 6 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 7

Ride 2: 38.83 mi / 1,017 ft / 2h 21m

A solo cruise through Downtown LA, Hollywood, and out to the Rapha Clubhouse in Santa Monica for some coffee before enjoying a sunny ride by the beach on the way home.

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 8 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 9

Ride 3: 100.37 mi / 7,070 ft / 6h 18m

Started the day off with a coffee and a few miles with friends (who says fixing flat tires can’t be fun!) before heading up and over Latigo Canyon for the first time sinceThe Woolsey Fire ravaged the area just over a month prior. The climb over to Calabasas was quite surreal seeing all of the devastation first-hand.

Lunch at Pedalers Forkand some 10 Speed Coffee helped fuel the trek out to Griffith Park and back home.

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 10 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 11 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 12 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 13 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 14

Ride 4: 50.77 mi / 1,811 ft / 3h 15m

Good times with the regular Friday morning Pedal Mafia crew before some solo extra credit through the Marina.

This open group ride meets at Bodega Wine Bar in Santa Monica every Friday at 7 a.m. for anyone who would like to join.

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 15 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 16 My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 17

Ride 5: 52.31 mi / 1,293 ft / 2h 51m

Completed my first Festive 500 with a beautiful ride up the Pacific Coast Highway to Latigo Canyon and back. Prime weather and very little wind - unlike most of the other rides - was the ideal way to wrap up the journey.

See you later this year for next edition of the #Festive500!

My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge — image 18

I help brands with strategy, marketing, PR, and practical AI. Work with me →

Keep reading

Cycling

Early Mornings, Beautiful Views, and Good People on Bikes

With the first quarter of 2022 already behind us, I searched through hundreds of ride photos to select some of my favorites from the early morning rides, birthday rides, and near-century rides of the last few months.
Cycling

The Best Camera Strap for Cycling

Keeping your camera secured to your back while riding can be a real challenge. With the PSBagworks Rider Strap you’ll never have to worry about this again. The camera stays put, yet remains easily accessible for those quick shots while on the go.
Cycling

Cycling Happy Hour

The cycling equivalent of happy hour is the coffee ride. Social and relaxed, they often bookend the day and feature a favorite drink, or two. It’s these coffee rides with friends that I look forward to the most.