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 290 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 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.
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 five category options, each led by a pace partner:
- A: 3.2 w/kg Pace Partner
- B: 2.6 w/kg Pace Partner
- C: 2.2 w/kg Pace Partner
- D: 1.8 w/kg Pace Partner
- E 2.2 w/kg Pace Partner (Women Only)
Events will be held on one lap of the following routes on the following dates:
- Dec 24-25: Watopia’s Waistband (27.7km, 101m elevation)
- Dec 26-27: The Magnificent 8 (29.1km, 155m elevation)
- Dec 28-29: Greatest London Flat (31km, 223m elevation)
- Dec 30-31: Coast Crusher (42.7km, 210m elevation)
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 above and unlock the Rapha Festive 500 2023 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 brand new Cannondale road bike (pictured below, specs not provided) and 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 has done the entire 500km in one event!
Check out the ride calendar in Zwift Companion to find more fun 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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