Another year complete and another Rapha 500 complete (despite declaring that I would not do one again).
I went into the Rapha very uncommitted and with the thought that I might do a couple of big days of downhill rides only – it was only for my own benefit anyway.
In the end I found it quite easy, and I ended up with very similar stats to the previous years. Of course, doing 100K on the 24th and then another one on the 27th helped.
I also managed 15 new Fulgaz rides, which was a bonus. Everything on Fulgaz bar the final ride which was a Rouvy race. That was something new to me but I enjoyed it.
I have completed the Rapha Festive 500 – 500K within 8 days. I managed to complete it in seven days by training twice a day for the last four days. It was an interesting challenge, and I rode 12 new (to me) Fulgaz routes. I feel quite strong now and not tired in the slightest although I will probably have a couple of easy days before starting a new block of training next week. Stats below. Not quite sure where the 4 minutes of idle time were.
This original started as an outdoor challenge, but virtual completion was allowed in 2020, probably due to Covid lockdowns. I could never do it outside in winter as I just do not want to go out in the cold, wet and dark, both from an enjoyment and safety viewpoint.
I may or may not do it again next year. I think I might be tempted to use the same eight days to do something else. Possibly an imperial century and three metric centuries in 8 days.
I really enjoyed doing it on Fulgaz and I selected reasonably flat routes although I still managed 11,000 feet of climbing. I kept it all a Seiler Zone 1 and I think all my rides bar the longest – Buntingford Gran Fondo – had an average heart rate below 100.
I have to think about what objectives I have for 2022 and I will post them shortly.