Rapha’s Festive 500 has kicked off for 2025, and those looking to take on the challenge will be eager to get out and start clocking up those miles.
The challenge was created by former Rapha designer Graeme Raeburn as a 1,000km challenge to ‘experience the life of a pro cyclist’, although it turns out pro cyclists rarely ride 1,000km a week. Still, the concept proved successful, and the following year the inaugural Festive 500 challenge was set. Now in its 15th year, the Festive 500 has grown into a worldwide celebration of cycling.
No matter how you wish to tackle the distance, your experiences on the bike and knowing that you are part of a community enjoying cycling are what’s important.
Of course, it’s called the Festive 500 for a reason and for many riders the goal of 500km will be the final challenge and a chance to finish the cycling year on a high. As the well-known saying goes, ‘if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’, and with cold, dark and rainy days of winter cycling ahead, it can be hard to find the motivation to get outside and ride.
1. Plan your days
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On paper, splitting the Festive 500 distance over the allotted eight days is only 62.5km a day, which for many is a very doable distance. From my experience, this is a risky move as unpredictable weather and overindulgence of festive cheer can sweep even the best riding intentions to the side and leave you on the back foot playing catch-up.
Trying to maximise mileage early on can also be a risky tactic, as you don’t want to burn out. I recommend starting with longer, but manageable rides to bank some early distance and create a buffer for any unforeseen change of plans.
Not everyone has an empty calendar and longer miles may not be feasible. If you have a busy schedule, it’s amazing how quickly short rides can add up too. Picking a longer route for your festive commute or adding in an early morning/evening ride will really help top up the distance.
2. Set your own goal or challenge
While the whole objective of the Festive 500 is to ride 500km, in itself is a bit of a soulless goal. When you're plugging away into a snowy headwind, the thought of doing the same thing the next day simply to ride 500km in eight days can feel a bit pointless.
To help keep morale high, I think it's worth setting yourself some fun personal goals or challenges to help mix things up. I'm not talking about making the challenges harder either, although you can if you want. Maybe mix in some gravel or treat yourself to a tour of your favourite coffee shops. Are there any local loops you have been meaning to do for a while, or a friend you haven't seen in a while? Well, now is the time.
Of course, if you are feeling up to it, you can always make it harder too. Think you can do it in one ride? Want to challenge your friends to see who can tick the mileage off faster? Or could you go on what would likely be a very cold bikepacking trip? Why not? Or maybe you want to get a head start on a 'New Year-new me' 2026 training resolution, the Festive 500 is a great way to kick start it with some base miles. Yes, the Festive 500 is about getting out and riding your bike, but it's much easier if there is a personal purpose or goal.
Your own goals or challenges don't have to be bike-based either. Rapha runs a spirit of the Festive 500 award every year, where people share their experiences and interpretations of the challenge. From drawing to baking to sharing goodwill, using your time on the bike to fuel creativity or facilitate festive cheer will make the challenge even more meaningful.
3. Plan your routes
Once you know what distances you want to do on what days, it's time to plan your routes. Having a selection of routes ready will streamline the process of getting out, but having backup routes is also very handy.
When the weather is unpredictable and self-inflicted festive fatigue kicks in, it’s useful to have some alternative flatter or easier routes prepared. Otherwise, it’s all too easy not to go out when you have an epic ride planned, but motivation is low. The opposite must also be said, should you be graced with fresh legs and a crisp. clear winter day, you may want to bump the mileage up, and less time planning means more time riding.
Finally, keep an eye on the weather as this may dictate what routes are best on which days. Having a range of reliable routes will mean you can be reactive should the weather change suddenly. Choosing routes based on wind direction or avoiding areas that may be icy after a cold snap will make each ride slightly easier.
4. Clothing
I don’t need to tell you how to dress for the weather in your local area, however, for us northern hemisphere riders, there are a few considerations that will make back-to-back days of cold weather riding much more pleasant. Having the best winter cycling jacket at your disposal is obvious, as are some winter cycling gloves and a warm cap or headband to protect your ears. If you don’t have winter cycling shoes, neoprene or waterproof cycling overshoes aren’t expensive and will easily make the difference between winter wonderland and sheer misery.
Seasoned winter riders will likely have a range of winter kit to call upon, but if you don’t, make sure everything is washed and ready for the next day. Nothing is a more effective roadblock than the prospect of putting on wet and dirty kit from the day before.
5. Prepare your bike
You're preparing to ride your bike a lot in some potentially horrible conditions, so a little TLC will go a long way. Give the bike a clean and inspect parts for wear, as you don’t want to be stuck at the side of the road in poor weather with a mechanical. Special attention should be paid to the drivetrain, and a fresh set of brake pads won’t do any harm either.
For those who want to really kit out their bike, proper mudguards are a must. They look a little dorky, but the best road bike mudguards are full-length ones. Not all bikes have the fittings that are needed, luckily, there are plenty of decent clip-on options that do a decent job too. A robust set of winter road bike tyres isn’t a necessity, but will certainly reduce the chances of having to repair a puncture with frozen fingers. I also recommend some extra bike storage, whether that be a saddle bag or handlebar bag, plenty of storage for multitools, extra snacks or layers will be very welcome.
Finally, you will likely be riding in dim or dark conditions, so a set of the best bike lights is vital. Make sure these are charged and ready for each ride. This goes for your bike computer as well because, as we all know, if it isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen.
6. Stockpile spares and food
So you have planned everything meticulously down to minute-by-minute accuracy, from which days you're riding to routes and cosy kit. Your bike is prepped and loaded with riding essentials and waiting at the door. But what if you finish your snacks, need an extra inner tube or new brake pads? Deliveries won’t come in time, and nipping to the shops isn’t a smooth process as they’re either packed with shoppers or closed for the holidays.
To save hassle when you should be enjoying your Christmas, there is no harm in stocking up on extra essentials that you might need.
Ultimately, flexibility and limiting unplanned down-days is the key to a successful Festive 500. While the challenge is measured in distance, the reward is measured in happiness. Ride some of your favourite routes, spend time with friends and family and most importantly, have fun because that’s what riding bikes is all about.
