Another 100mile (so 16something km) in the bank yesterday. Hopefully get out for the last 100 mile either tomorrow or New Year’s Eve
managed to get to the half way mark. with 2 days to go.
but i just cant be arsed to try for 150 miles in 2 rides so another fail.
I've managed 10 miles on my folding e bike and should be adding another 7.5 miles on the commuter bike tomorrow!
I think I'll need all of 2026 to reach 500 miles 🤔.
I should make that objective my minimum non e bike distance in 2026.
Completed my version this morning, 500km in DECEMBER. 500 over a midwinter week, with all the other demands on time, is a fair achievement, must involve some fairly bleak and purgatorial rides. Well done to anyone who hits it!
Down to 51km to go, and whilst the roads have been dry, and the lanes I have been exploring quiet, the lack of sunshine and the constant northerly breeze don't make for the best of times.
Down to 51km to go, and whilst the roads have been dry, and the lanes I have been exploring quiet, the lack of sunshine and the constant northerly breeze don't make for the best of times.
I've quite enjoyed it. NE winds for me are a royal PIA but apart from Xmas Eve, it's not been too strong. Temps have been 5 - 9ish, feels like 4 or 5 degrees colder with that wind direction but you can dress for the cold n'est ce pas? At least it's been mainly ice free here - apart from last Saturday which was a bit sketchy early on.
I've 70 miles to do tomoz then mebbies 20 on NYE to finish. Feels like it's been fairly straightforward this year. That's done it, I'll be under a bus tomorrow...😬
another 60km knocked out in the end, so I am done, and done early for the first time ever.
Now for a stupid question, is there any point me going to Rapha in London next time I am in that direction to get a patch, or would I be wasting my time?
Completed this morning, 7 rides in 7 days with a total of 521km. All done solo and outside. Pleased to get it done with a day in hand as previous efforts took the full 8 days. The NE winds have been a real pain.
Fraction over 100km today. I'd planned for 115 but I just couldn't face the last bit, I was running on empty and I've got a cold (almost certainly courtesy of my snot-ridden little nieces).
That leaves me with 48km to do tomorrow instead of my hoped for 35-ish but no worries. I'd already planned a cafe ride with a mate so I've got a little extension to take it to 56km (sadly there's only one, quite long way around the hill so it's that or just up and down the road until I hit 48.1!).
Today was a slog. At least it was dry.
I decided yesterday morning, about 10km in to a planned 4 laps around Richmond park that would be the end for me - I'm about 270km in.
In order to finish, it's about another 12-15 hours on the bike and with three 8 hours days of work, I just wasn't that bothered about another badge on my Carradice.
The rot set in early on xmas eve when I only got about 70% round my target of 200km - it was a bit windy in the Surrey Hills. Maybe I should have just ridden to Windsor and back on the flat 6 times..
Now for a stupid question, is there any point me going to Rapha in London next time I am in that direction to get a patch, or would I be wasting my time?
They will have patches. Quite when they will actually have them is anyone's guess!
I've always got one from Rapha Manchester, there's usually an email about it.
Thanks, is this a general email to finishers they send out, last time I actually bothered was when they sent out the patches in the post. I do remember them being mid February if you were lucky..
So I did my 70 miler today which leaves just over 20 tomoz. As above, I wasn't feeling it for the first couple of hours but just got on with it. That's the thing about cycling, patience is your friend. As for the badge, I've never bothered. I do it as a way of focusing over the break and I don't need a little reward for being a good boy. Apologies to those that favour them. Each to their own and all that 🙃
well done to all who complete this. it is a bit of a tough ask over xmas. well done
Yep, well done to the finishers. I had a go but work and illness put paid to it. Next year!
Now for a stupid question, is there any point me going to Rapha in London next time I am in that direction to get a patch, or would I be wasting my time?
The London Rapha shop had them on the counter at the coffee shop about a week before Christmas last year when I was in there!
Done, 509km.
Two road rides in Spain
Two MTB rides (Dalby, first day with my eldest niece)
Two rides on the gravel bike, just local roads/trails.
Got to be honest, the last two days were a slog. Got a head cold (I almost always end up with a cold whenever I visit my nieces) so I was just plodding along. Did a ride with a mate today out to a cafe just to get the last 50-ish km and he was so much stronger and faster than me that we were barely riding together at all. OK, he was on a winter road bike, I had the gravel bike with chunkier tyres but every hill, he'd just disappear leaving me trudging up it.
The two days of much shorter distances due to the MTBing left me with a bit to do to finish it off. Thankfully I'd banked two big days up front.
Best day - either Christmas Day in Spain or seeing how much my niece has improved on the MTB.
Worst day - yesterday was a right old slog.
Aaaaannd I'm done too. 316 miles total, 8000 for the year. Cracking last day today; max 3°C feels like -2°C and fantastic sunshine/blue skies. I even had a puncture at 299 miles for a bit of drama/jeopardy 😬 Bit icy early so left late morning and wibbled about like a drunk novice. Enjoyed it this year, not wet/cold/windy like normal...
Bonne annee to everyone 👍
Done a dusted for another year. 511km (318miles in old money) in three, 100mile + rides. All were quite uneventful thankfully. Was also nice to come back from the rides dry, there’s usually at least one that’s had me grovelling in awful weather
The Rapha stores have the woven patch in stock, I've just got mine from Manchester.
It's quite nice this year.
Edit: photo insert not working...
