Rapha’s Festive 500 began in 2010 as a simple challenge: brave the winter elements and ride 500 kilometers between December 24-31. Since then, riders have covered over 300 million Festive kilometers, including many virtual kilometers after Covid lockdowns opened the Festive 500 challenge to virtual rides.
This year, as in years past, Zwift is working with Rapha to host events and give unlocks to finishers. Here are all the details…
The Challenge
Your task is to ride 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) in eight days, from December 24-31, 2023. Outdoor bike, e-bike, handcycle, and virtual rides all count toward the total.
This is all tracked through Strava, so you’ll need to sign up for the Strava Challenge and upload your rides to Strava to be considered an official finisher.
RoboPacer-Led Festive 500 Events
Any miles you do on Zwift count toward the Festive 500 challenge, but Zwift is spinning up RoboPacer-led events to encourage riders to go the distance. Events are scheduled every two hours, and each event includes multiple pace options led by RoboPacers:
- A: 3.2 w/kg RoboPacer
- B: 2.6 w/kg RoboPacer
- C: 2.2 w/kg RoboPacer
- D: 1.8 w/kg RoboPacer
- E: 1.5 w/kg RoboPacer
Events will be 50 kilometers long and held on the following routes/dates:
- Dec 24-25: Greatest London Flat
- Dec 26-27: Waisted 8
- Dec 28-29: Triple Flat Loops
- Dec 30-31: Makuri 40
See all of Zwift’s Festive 500 Group Rides at zwift.com/events/tag/f500
Extra-Flat RoboPacer Routes
RoboPacers are always active in Zwift, leading always-on group rides at a variety of paces.
Zwift will be breaking the RoboPacers out of their normal schedule and moving them to flatter routes during Festive 500 week, so help riders rack up the miles.
See RoboPacer schedule for details >
Kit Unlock
Complete any of the official Zwift Festive 500 rides above and unlock the Rapha Festive 500 2024 kit, which mirrors the IRL kit available from Rapha:
Prize Drawing
Details of the Strava challenge say those who finish will earn the following:
- Entry into the prize draw to win a US$1,000 Rapha voucher
- A digital roundel for your Strava Trophy Case
- A 20% off code to spend at Rapha
- The chance to win more prizes in the Rapha Spirit of the Festive 500 awards
More Events from the Community
Community teams always create special events (group rides and even races) to help riders hit the Festive 500km goal. In fact, at least one crazy group is planning to ride the entire 500km in one event!
See all upcoming rides over 100km in ZwiftHacks >
Zwift CEO Eric Min is holding a ride on London’s PRL Full on December 28 at 8am ET. (It’s the last route badge he needs to earn). There might be some special kit unlock(s) associated with this ride… watch for a post about it in the coming days.
Check out the ride calendar in Zwift Companion or this ZwiftHacks link to find more fun, long Festive 500 rides.
Questions or Comments?
Are you up for the challenge? I know I’m in, just like last year. Share below!
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