Festive 500: a Plan

[rhughes]

Hi Folks

Here is a (fairly) easy way that you can complete the Festive 500 which starts this Thursday (Christmas Eve). Why? An early start sets you up for success for both completing this and for a strong cycling 2016. After completing this you will quite likely be fitter, better looking, the envy of fellow cyclists and you co-workers.

Thursday Dec 24 - 6am start at Pareto (Friday route) - we will add 5 laps of the box, perhaps a few rounds of UVIC, then resume Beach Drive/Dallas with 12 or so laps of Beacon. The goal is to be done by 9 or just after with 90+ km under your belt. B pace - no drop.

Saturday - leave 8am at Disco on Oak Bay do waterfront or similar and meet up with OBB ride at the shop or very early into ride. Total km ~ 110+.

Sunday - Reg TS ride to Island Beach Rd then to Sidney(ish) then back reg route. ~100 kms

This will give us 300 km with an average of 50 over the last 4 days. If you have to work (like me) you can leverage the Tuesday ride and Wed farm rides, maybe a final day Thursday ride similar to the first Thursday to complete.

The first Thursday ride is the key to a quick start and confidence booster. So see you this Thursday at Pareto.

Special Bonus - Strava and Rapha will give you a nice badge. And we all know what Napoleon said he could get folks to do for a little piece of cloth.

Cheers
Ritchie

[sailor]

Yes, and it is not even cloth anymore, just some zeros and ones.

[roadflasj]

I'll be there for Thursday but is anyone interested in a 6:00am pre chaos Christmas day ride? I'm thinking maybe just a regular Friday or if there is a demand something a bit different. We'll be back well before everyone is up (my wife included). Any takers?

[Claire]

What, no physical memento for completing my first Festive 500? Gee, and I was so motivated by a tiny physical token, I'm not sure if I have the will to carry on...

But eschewing Christmas morning traditions - that's something I can get behind. I am definitely keen on a 6am on Dec 25. And all the other ideas above are great and will definitely help me capture my first Strava challenge prize - virtual or otherwise.

Thanks Ritchie (& others)

[Lund]

Don't listen to the prophets of digital doom.

"As always, all participants who complete their 500km can claim a commemorative woven roundel.
"

http://pages.rapha.cc/festive-500-2015

[roadflasj]

All interested Dec 25th participants can meet at the regular Pareto parking lot for a solid B ride (no drop). Route to be determined by the 1st person to show up. Cheers

[Plawless]

I'm in for the 25th (this ride probably needs its own topic so everyone knows) but can we pick the route now? I will be joining in en route and need to know where that needs to happen. We probably need to also find out what coffee shop is open Xmas day at 7:30 so we can finish near there.

Thanks

Peter

[Paul C.]

Cook street Starbucks opens at 8 a.m. Christmas day.

Also Moka House James Bay is open over the holiday period this year except xmas and Boxing Day.

[roadflasj]

I'm in for the 25th (this ride probably needs its own topic so everyone knows) but can we pick the route now? I will be joining in en route and need to know where that needs to happen. We probably need to also find out what coffee shop is open Xmas day at 7:30 so we can finish near there.

Thanks

Peter

No problem - I'll post on the main ride planning page.

[sylvan]

Thursday Dec 24 - 6am start at Pareto

Ugh. If that's too early for anybody there's a Leechtown ride leaving Douglas/Alpha Starbucks at 8:05am. That's about 110 km of hard-man sinew development. All on the Goose. Not back before noon but shortly thereafter.

[LouiseF]

Still trying to work out ride-joining locations from our new location (near the ferndale popper). I'm hoping to do the Xmas Eve ride and wondering what time y'all expect to make it to the top of Ash Hill?

Think I'll sleep in a bit and meet up there.

TIA

[rhughes]

Thursday was a great ride for the early folks and I assume this morning was good for all those folks who wanted one last chance to avoid a lump of coal.

Oak Bay ride tomorrow with an optional 8am start at Disco on Oak Bay Ave then catch up with the real OB ride at 9am for about 110km or so.

Fine Festive Fun - Merry Christmas!

Ritchie

[sailor]

Thanks again Richie for this. Rapha blog is out. Puts things in perspective.

http://pages.rapha.cc/rides-cat/unwrapp ... he-winners