My First Festive 500 Cycling Challenge
2018 marked my first crack at completing Rapha's annual "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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
