Rapha’s Festive 500 began in 2010 as a simple challenge: brave the winter elements and ride 500 kilometers between December 24-31.
Thanks to Covid lockdowns, 2020 became the first year that virtual miles were allowed to count toward the challenge. This continues into 2022, where once again Zwift+Rapha have jumped in with both feet to make this fun challenge a blast for riders on the platform.
The Challenge
Your task is to ride 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) in eight days, from December 24-31, 2021. Outdoor bike and handcycle rides count toward the total, and so do virtual rides, as long as you upload them to Strava.
This is all tracked through Strava, so you’ll need to sign up for the Strava Challenge and upload your rides to Strava if you want to be considered an official finisher.
Zwift Events (RoboPacers and Ambassadors)
Zwift has promised a full slate of RoboPacer-led Festive 500 events during the week of the event. Rapha ambassadors (who aren’t robots) will also be leading group rides. And of course, you can also rack up the miles by free riding, riding with the regular (always on) RoboPacers, or any other type of ride on Zwift or IRL.
See all of Zwift’s Festive 500 Group Rides at zwift.com/events/tag/f500
Kit Unlock
Complete any of the official Zwift Festive 500 rides and unlock the Rapha Festive 500 kit in game:
Prize Drawing
Details of the Strava challenge say those who finish will earn the following upon completion:
- Entry into the prize draw to win a brand new OPEN U.P. bike equipped with Campagnolo Ekar groupset and Levante wheels.
- A digital roundel for your Strava Trophy Case.
- The chance to win more top prizes in the Rapha Spirit of the Festive 500 awards.
More Events from the Community?
Last year community teams created special events to help riders hit the 500km goal by riding in group rides and even races. And at least one crazy group did the entire 500km in one event!
Learn all about this year’s community-organized Festive 500 rides in this post.
Questions or Comments?
Are you up for the challenge? I know I’m in, just like last year. Share below!
I just don’t understand why finishing only 1 ride already unlocks the kit, just like last year. So much for the bragging rights.
Maybe because some people do it outside and they dont want to do it again on the trainer?
Since all rides counts and tracked by Strava it’s quite easy to give the jersey to all people who rides 500km and wants it. Just like in 2020.
I guess the main reason is that Rapha pays money for zwift to host the event and want as many as possible to get a Rapha jersey…
It could be like the Tour of Watopia and Tour de Zwift… give them one jersey for completing an event, and a different jersey (could just be a different color) for completing the whole thing.
I would guess because a bunch of folks wearing virtual Rapha kits on Zwift is good advertising for them?
Hate to be the one to break it to you. No one really cares either way. Actually do something cool if you’re gonna brag.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but some people actually like to be rewarded for a good challenge on Zwift.
Go win some A races then
If all you want is bragging rights, you can buy the real Festive 500 kit right now at Rapha and you don’t have to ride a single kilometer.
Can’t remember but do Rapha still offer the patches (real life) for completing this? Would make more incentive for me at least 🙂
Alas, no.
But Restrap has their Solstice Ride patches.
Wish they would still offer them! I would even BUY one if they did.
Have a look for the “Festive500 roundel” group on Strava and you will get one. 😉
Rapha doesn’t but there is a “Festive 500 roundel” group on Strava and a lovely German guy who organises a new Festive500 badge every year since Rapha stopped the tradition. It’s pretty nice to keep collecting the badges.
I know this will come across as whining, but I really wish this was almost literally any other week during the year. That stretch between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve is always the busiest of the year for me, so I’ll never be able to complete this challenge.
Oh well, I guess.
Know how you feel, always look forward to the week off work and then realise it will be spent touring round the country catching up with family and friends …… and I could be inside the garage on my bike instead. Am I really that strange that the latter is now more appealing!!
Not strange at all! With all the stress leading up to that week, adding more stress on top isn’t really what I want.
I hear you. For me, it is not the busiest week, as I often take the time off work and chill out at home when the rush of planning and hosting Christmas is past, and when there is not much in the way of definite commitments. Instead, for me it is the time when I grab rare moments of just chilling and being spontaneous with the family – watching a daytime movie, snacking, playing games, long walks with the dog, etc.
I’ll fit in a short Zwift ride or a quick run a few times, but I simply do not have the inclination to ride 500km in that week of all weeks. I know that won’t apply to everyone or be their perspective, but I am content to sit out this challenge for once and spend my time and attention on other things instead.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.