Apologies but only just come across your post. This year will be my 5th running and can totally relate to your comments and tips, especially day one and a long one which is always a great start. Best to you if you’re doing it this year.
No apologies needed! To be honest I can't bear watching it back now. Although I think the tips are still correct. I will be having another go this year. Good luck with yours
I'm sorry, but how come there's only one video uploaded on this channel - you're great at this malarky! And your other half plays an eye-rolling blinder too!
Thanks Frazer. I normally stick to writing a blog www.ridingthelongwayhome.com but the Always Another Adventure channel inspired me to give it a go. I guess if enough people like it I will do more
@@RidingTheLongWayHome I think you're going to get a fair few views at least - the Always Another Adventure channel linked it in their latest Training vid for the 500. How I found it to start with...
@Tom West hey Tom I can't meet up on day one as I have a ride with club mates planned but would be happy to do so during the following few days. You can find me easily on Strava or through my website. Thanks for the posive comments!
Awesome! Greetings from across the pond! Thanks for the tips! I watched this before I attempted the 500 and succeeded. I had the voice of an Englishman in my head coaching me for the past week. :) Thanks for the tips! Video posted ;)
Hi man, just wanted to thank you for this video and share my experience as well as my thoughts based on your advice. I am new to cycling and I normally ride approx 75k a week on gravel. I didn't believe the festive 500 was doable for me, but I bumped into your video and found all of your tips so sensible that they made sound the project to be manageable. I followed each and single one of your tips and kept them in mind as some sort of "code of conduct" to rely on. I started big, with a 90k cross/gravel ride, and took as much as possible in the following two days as well. We got a windstorm in Copenhagen and I used your "avoid hills if you can" tip for that day. Yesterday I was completely smashed and asked a friend to go out bike with me, both for motivation, as well as for the sake of variation - he rides in other forests than me and he loves to pick the route. I would have never thought that his company would have given me such a boost, and today we smashed 70k on gravel and mud as if I was on my first day...ish :) tomorrow is the last day and I have 24 k to go, so much thanks to your advvices, almost tempted to do them with a bottle of Italian wine in my bottle cage hehe. I wanted to really thank you for inspiring me giving this a shot although I thought it was undoable for me. If I may, I would like add a few tweaks to your tips based on this week's riding experience: 1) if you have a favourite route, save it for one of the tough days towards the end. I personally took it on a day when I was super tired and with miserable weather, and I got a kick out of being on known ground, I didn't feel tired at all. Better experiment with new routes on the days when you have most energy, perhaps at the beginning 2) if you decide to take a resting day, you can still go out on an easy going ride, it can actually be healthy to do an active recovery at low pace rather than lying on the couch, and you will still get some km's into the book, perhaps with the help of some tailwind and good planning. 3) not only have your kit ready the day before, do a thorough check of your bike after every ride to make sure everything is ready for the day after (tyre pressure, breakpads, brake cables and gears are on top of my mind. Once again thanks, hope to manage to finish my 500 k tomorrow and if I'll do it's definitely also thanks to you.
Wow Giuseppe this is amazing feedback. Thank you. I'm really glad the tips helped. Good luck tomorrow. I'll be posting my second half video on New Year's day so let me know if you complete.
Subbed from the AAA, I hope you put more vids up. Always good to see set ups experiences etc Just finished vid... it’s like you’ve been making vids for years. Professionally done
Thank you! I wish I could claim there was a huge back catalogue ready to publish. I've owned a GoPro for four weeks and learned how to use iMovie while making this one.
Thanks a million..... gave me the motivation to finally try it this year after years of procrastination. No idea how do-able its going to be as the bikes been in the garage for the last 3 months but I'm going to give it ago.
@@RidingTheLongWayHome All the best. I'm sitting this one out but you have inspired me to give it a go next year. Your first tip is pure gold and one generally forgotten. Nice one.
Such a terrific video and thanks for the tips! My husband and I are giving it a go this year, although yes we are in the southern hemisphere lol, but next door to Australia 😉
thank you for the tips, this is going to be my FIRST #festive500 attempt... and I will try to follow your advice (and to publish a video on my channel... if I'll hit my Festive). GOOD VIDEO! 👍
Thanks Jonathan. Yes. Now that multiple people have subscribed and asked for more. Much to my own surprise. (Production skills 😄 = learn iMovie as you go)
You won't regret it. I spent years riding motorbikes but swapped the engine for my legs and never looked back. I will admit I do miss not having a bike on an empty road on a summer's morning....
Great tips! I've completed it once and been stopped in my tracks one other time. Might see what my Christmas plans are this year and give it another crack.
Do you mean new tips or a completion video Daniel?! I definitely intend to try and complete it again and will film it. But I don't think I can add to the tips (although I am certain I could make a shorter video now that I have had a bit of practice!!)
This will be my third year in a row, my tip is to use my bike packing bag and fill it with hot drink and sandwiches. Stop and eat, relax a bit. Ignore the cold bc it will be cold. Definitely make sure your wife is on board - my wife actually talks about it now and encourages me, it’s great.
Well done Paul. Excellent vid quality. First time Festive500 with 460k’s in the bank so far. Live down under with no friends so I’m doing it indoors 🤣😂. Hope you stay safe and dodge COVID-19
Great video Paul. First time I'm attempting this, this year. Had unknowingly already implemented tip 1. Getting the wife on board and "reminding her" haha.
@@RidingTheLongWayHome I will. I'm having to have Christmas day off, so planning a big Christmas Eve and then try breaking the others up as you suggested. 👍🏻
So funny... stumbled across this video, thought I'd have a watch and couldn't be bothered putting my headphones on... so the missus heard the first tip!... she's onboard!
I have a tip, 'where some hiviz on dark British roads this season' Rapha could promote a little more winter visibility in into the range I feel. Stay safe.
#Festive500offroad + wet weather predicted, need all the advice I can get for my first attempt - 🤔 a treat as a reward? Always wanted one of those spurcycle bells.
Yeah because what UA-cam needs is another cycling vlogger telling you about how they smashed another training session. I dream of one day being a mediocre cyclist Jonathan.
How rude,I live in the southern hemisphere,NZ.😊I'm gonna do this ride this year now,in beautiful warm weather just to spite you 😂😂Oh,I subscribed to your channel,I have no idea why.
I will do my best,I've also set myself a target of a century ride before the end of the year.Most of ever done in one go was 120 km.Just turned 59,gotta get all this done before I turn 60 and turn into a pumpkin.🤔
Great advice and agree with everything but #9, when time is probably the main constrait on completion, as it will require approximately 17 to 20 hours, then going off road will double the time required to cover the same distances as on road. Most importantly, even if Strava (possibly for commercial reasons) allows Zwift, to me it's not in the history or spirit of #Festive500. I say this having ridden 90 minutes in the freezing rain on a ride this year. It's a mental, even more than a physical challenge for an average club cyclist. So don't diminish the mental challenge, it's what makes it fun !!
Great enjoyable video! But 1st rule is stay safe- please wear Hi Vis!! In the words of Mungo Jerry song🎵I f u wanna get run over dress in black, dress in black,dress in black, dress in black black black🎶🎸
I fail every year and why is that? It bloody snows heavy the days before. That brings loads of road gravel and salt, bad drivers, wet messy roads. Not worth it in my honest opinion.
It’s definitely tougher in some parts of the world because of the weather. We’ve had sub zero temperatures here but I’ve been able to get in rides indoors
Apologies but only just come across your post. This year will be my 5th running and can totally relate to your comments and tips, especially day one and a long one which is always a great start. Best to you if you’re doing it this year.
No apologies needed! To be honest I can't bear watching it back now. Although I think the tips are still correct. I will be having another go this year. Good luck with yours
@@RidingTheLongWayHomehope all went well, completed in 5 days this year which is a record for me. Do you log your rides on Strava?
Thank you, having failed in 2020 and 2021 your tips helped a great deal, and I completed the 2022 Festive 500.
You are welcome Helena and congratulations on getting it done. It takes a determined person to keep trying 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
I'm sorry, but how come there's only one video uploaded on this channel - you're great at this malarky! And your other half plays an eye-rolling blinder too!
Thanks Frazer. I normally stick to writing a blog www.ridingthelongwayhome.com but the Always Another Adventure channel inspired me to give it a go. I guess if enough people like it I will do more
@@RidingTheLongWayHome I think you're going to get a fair few views at least - the Always Another Adventure channel linked it in their latest Training vid for the 500. How I found it to start with...
Also good to see roads that remind me of my home (I'm from Cov.) even if its a fair few decades since I rode on them...
@Tom West hey Tom I can't meet up on day one as I have a ride with club mates planned but would be happy to do so during the following few days. You can find me easily on Strava or through my website. Thanks for the posive comments!
Awesome! Greetings from across the pond! Thanks for the tips! I watched this before I attempted the 500 and succeeded. I had the voice of an Englishman in my head coaching me for the past week. :) Thanks for the tips! Video posted ;)
Thank you! glad to be of service. Well done on completing the 500
I watched this a did the RF500 this year. I would not have completed it otherwise; thank you very much Paul.
Thanks Grant. I'm glad it helped. I cringe watching back now 😂
I didn't do it this year - 7 in a row was enough!
Hi man, just wanted to thank you for this video and share my experience as well as my thoughts based on your advice.
I am new to cycling and I normally ride approx 75k a week on gravel. I didn't believe the festive 500 was doable for me, but I bumped into your video and found all of your tips so sensible that they made sound the project to be manageable. I followed each and single one of your tips and kept them in mind as some sort of "code of conduct" to rely on. I started big, with a 90k cross/gravel ride, and took as much as possible in the following two days as well. We got a windstorm in Copenhagen and I used your "avoid hills if you can" tip for that day. Yesterday I was completely smashed and asked a friend to go out bike with me, both for motivation, as well as for the sake of variation - he rides in other forests than me and he loves to pick the route. I would have never thought that his company would have given me such a boost, and today we smashed 70k on gravel and mud as if I was on my first day...ish :) tomorrow is the last day and I have 24 k to go, so much thanks to your advvices, almost tempted to do them with a bottle of Italian wine in my bottle cage hehe. I wanted to really thank you for inspiring me giving this a shot although I thought it was undoable for me.
If I may, I would like add a few tweaks to your tips based on this week's riding experience: 1) if you have a favourite route, save it for one of the tough days towards the end. I personally took it on a day when I was super tired and with miserable weather, and I got a kick out of being on known ground, I didn't feel tired at all. Better experiment with new routes on the days when you have most energy, perhaps at the beginning 2) if you decide to take a resting day, you can still go out on an easy going ride, it can actually be healthy to do an active recovery at low pace rather than lying on the couch, and you will still get some km's into the book, perhaps with the help of some tailwind and good planning. 3) not only have your kit ready the day before, do a thorough check of your bike after every ride to make sure everything is ready for the day after (tyre pressure, breakpads, brake cables and gears are on top of my mind.
Once again thanks, hope to manage to finish my 500 k tomorrow and if I'll do it's definitely also thanks to you.
Wow Giuseppe this is amazing feedback. Thank you. I'm really glad the tips helped. Good luck tomorrow. I'll be posting my second half video on New Year's day so let me know if you complete.
@@RidingTheLongWayHome will definitely keep you posted, anything can still happen :) enjoy the final day!
Thanks for the great video! After watching it I decided I’ll do Festive 500 this year. Today, I completed 63 km :)
That's excellent Khan! One down, seven to go! Keep me updated
Day two - I rode 100 km today. 163 done ✅ :)
@@khanontheroad184 excellent! You are ahead of me
@@RidingTheLongWayHome I’d like to let you know that I managed to complete the challenge in seven days 🙏🚴🙂
@@khanontheroad184 that's fantastic! Well done 👏👏👏
Thank you for this video. This year is the first time i will try this challange
You are welcome. Good luck and let me know how you get on.
Great tips and I'd love to see some more content from you.
Thanks Drew, that's kind of you to say so. There will be a least a couple more
"whilst they were stuffing their face with Quality Street" LOL - Great video PB; I loved this!
Thank you. Hopefully no one was offended (too much)
Nice video, like your style and honesty. Good luck for the festive 500.
Thanks Paul
Thanks for the tips. Helpful and humorous video. I'm trying the festive for the first time this year. Really looking forward to it.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. It was intended to be a bit of fun (with some serious messages underneath). Good luck with the Festive 500
Fantastic Video! You should do more like this!
Greetings from Germany.
Thanks Alexander! There will be at least one more now.
Fröhliche Weihnachten
Great video. Looking forward to more content
Thank you. There should be at least one more
Great video mate thanks ! Good luck this year
Thanks, you too!
Nice work! inspiring!
Watched this due to a recommendation from AAA , glad I did👍🏻. Thanks for the tips, I've subscribed. Ride and stay safe 🚴🏼♀️👌
Thanks mate. Good luck with the 500 if you are going to do it. Come back and post to let me know which tip helped you most.
It was very entertaining. Please consider to make more videos 👍🏼
Thanks Leonidas. As enough people have asked I will be making at least one more
Subbed from the AAA, I hope you put more vids up. Always good to see set ups experiences etc
Just finished vid... it’s like you’ve been making vids for years. Professionally done
Thank you! I wish I could claim there was a huge back catalogue ready to publish. I've owned a GoPro for four weeks and learned how to use iMovie while making this one.
Thanks a million..... gave me the motivation to finally try it this year after years of procrastination. No idea how do-able its going to be as the bikes been in the garage for the last 3 months but I'm going to give it ago.
That's good to hear Scott. Give it a go and see what happens.
What a cracking video, I might give it a go now this year.Thanks for the great tips and please do more 👍🚴♂️
Thanks Chris. Kind of you to say so. I hope you do give it a go the come back and tell me which tips worked for you
all of a sudden memories of Ride Across Britain are flooding back ......
Not done that yet but some day I guess everyone has to
Great tips for a 1st timer, especially tip #1. Thanks.
Thanks. Almost everyone forgets about number 1 but joking aside, it is so important
Cracking video Paul! I'm here from the Always Another Adventure channel and you are pretty good at this. More videos please!
Thanks Hugh. It was a first effort, but I guess at the least I will have to prove the tips work!
@@RidingTheLongWayHome All the best. I'm sitting this one out but you have inspired me to give it a go next year. Your first tip is pure gold and one generally forgotten. Nice one.
thanks Paul,... now i think i can do it.... stay Safe and healty... Merry X mas ... and the best wishes for 2021
Thanks Gui. Honestly almost any reasonably fit person can do it. Good luck and let me know how you get on
Thanks for a great video. Love your style. Good Luck with this years festive 500
Thanks Kirsty. Kind of you to say so.
Awesome video!!!! You are awesome too!! Good luck this year!
Well thank you Michael. You are too kind.
Great informative video..... getting inspired! Keep it up Paul.
Thanks Sinead!
Such a terrific video and thanks for the tips! My husband and I are giving it a go this year, although yes we are in the southern hemisphere lol, but next door to Australia 😉
Thank you! Let me know how you get on
Will do Paul and I've found you on Strava to follow 😃
@@serenascotcher3150 wow, now the pressure is really on me to complete!
Paul, thanks for this honest introduction. Still think it is 90% mental and 10%/physical. Take care, Jerry Christmas and a happy New year
There's definitely a big mental component to completing the challenge. Thanks for watching
thank you for the tips, this is going to be my FIRST #festive500 attempt... and I will try to follow your advice (and to publish a video on my channel... if I'll hit my Festive). GOOD VIDEO! 👍
THank you and good luck. Let me know how you get on
Great video really enjoyed it, followed all of your tips except the stretching bit. I should love it, I know 😆. Cheers from Germany
Thanks Melanie. But go and stretch now. Your body will thank you later 😄
Cracking video with great tips and humour too. Enjoy the 500
Thank you for taking the time to comment Michael.
Great video Paul. Are you working on more? You have a great presenting style and impressive production skills.
Thanks Jonathan. Yes. Now that multiple people have subscribed and asked for more. Much to my own surprise.
(Production skills 😄 = learn iMovie as you go)
Well done sir. Great video - you're a natural. Just been reading the blog. Excellent.
Thanks Mr Berney!
@@RidingTheLongWayHome Ha. I like cycling and my name is Berney. The Google/UA-cam algorithm must've been pushed to its limits on this recommendation.
@@scottberney8375 ha! Google will probably force us to follow each other around the Web for months
Great tips. Have just got into cycling the past month and normally do motovlogging. Best decision I have made! Keep up the good work 👍🏼
You won't regret it. I spent years riding motorbikes but swapped the engine for my legs and never looked back. I will admit I do miss not having a bike on an empty road on a summer's morning....
Great tips! I've completed it once and been stopped in my tracks one other time. Might see what my Christmas plans are this year and give it another crack.
Thanks! Well, we are in lockdown so why not?
Can we have a new Festive 500 video this year? :)
Do you mean new tips or a completion video Daniel?! I definitely intend to try and complete it again and will film it. But I don't think I can add to the tips (although I am certain I could make a shorter video now that I have had a bit of practice!!)
Bad ass !! Thx Man ! Let's get it ! 7th year in a row !
7 in a row! very impressive. You don't need my tips then
Great video, i'm planning on trying for the first time this year, all of your tips will certainly help! ;)
Good luck Gabriel. But sure to come back and let me know how you got on and which tips helped most
This will be my third year in a row, my tip is to use my bike packing bag and fill it with hot drink and sandwiches. Stop and eat, relax a bit. Ignore the cold bc it will be cold. Definitely make sure your wife is on board - my wife actually talks about it now and encourages me, it’s great.
Thanks. This is good advice. It's easy to forget the need to eat and hydrate properly across the 8 days
If i will complete the 500km, then thanks to your tips !
Well, if you complete it, the tips will have made a small contribution. The rest will be all you.
Mate, you are good at this!! More video pls!
Thanks Issac. It looks like there will be a second video at least
Great tips, how about doing a video a day for the Festive 500?
Daily!!! 🤣🤣🤣
How about one at the end of it all?
Great video! Keep them coming! Subscribed.
Thank you. It looks likely there will be at least one more video then!
Well done Paul. Excellent vid quality. First time Festive500 with 460k’s in the bank so far. Live down under with no friends so I’m doing it indoors 🤣😂. Hope you stay safe and dodge COVID-19
Excellent work Brad. The end is in sight then. ....and I am sure you do have friends ;-)
Great video Paul. First time I'm attempting this, this year. Had unknowingly already implemented tip 1. Getting the wife on board and "reminding her" haha.
Good luck and let me know how you get on with the other 10 tips
@@RidingTheLongWayHome I will. I'm having to have Christmas day off, so planning a big Christmas Eve and then try breaking the others up as you suggested. 👍🏻
Then you're half way there! 😂
Super video! 👍👍👍
Thank you very much!
Great video, stumbled across it. You sound like Ned boulting
It has been said many times to me. Sadly I lack his talent.
So funny... stumbled across this video, thought I'd have a watch and couldn't be bothered putting my headphones on... so the missus heard the first tip!... she's onboard!
Ha! Good for you and good luck with getting it done
Great advice and vid 👍 thanks
thanks Lex!
thank you for the greats tipps
You are welcome. Good luck if you are doing it too
I have a tip, 'where some hiviz on dark British roads this season' Rapha could promote a little more winter visibility in into the range I feel. Stay safe.
Rapha have plenty of brightly coloured stuff I find and other brands are available of course 😀
Solid advice, thanks
You are welcome.
Tip # 2. I’m an Aussie and I resemble that remark 😆
I can only imagine how tough it must be to complete the 500 on a weeks holiday in the middle of summer....😄
@@RidingTheLongWayHome yes they breed us tough Down-Under ... now where did I put my beach towel?
#Festive500offroad + wet weather predicted, need all the advice I can get for my first attempt - 🤔 a treat as a reward? Always wanted one of those spurcycle bells.
All offroad! That will be impressive. Good luck
Cracking video!
Thanks Kyle!
@@RidingTheLongWayHome hope you have more coming!!😬
@@K.D.B23 Well it looks like at least one, where I try to prove that my tips actually work ;-)
TIp number one.... do what you want for Christmas and tell Rapha PR to do one 😀💫
ahh, there are always Rapha haters out there. Personally I don't get it.
Vlogging that's not "all about me"! A bit of modesty and self-deprecation...Nice one Paul.
Yeah because what UA-cam needs is another cycling vlogger telling you about how they smashed another training session. I dream of one day being a mediocre cyclist Jonathan.
You and me both mate! 😊
Well done Paul, liked it and gives the right motivation to keep on🤗
How rude,I live in the southern hemisphere,NZ.😊I'm gonna do this ride this year now,in beautiful warm weather just to spite you 😂😂Oh,I subscribed to your channel,I have no idea why.
This may be my favourite response ever. You get out there Peter and show me how easy it is ;-)
I will do my best,I've also set myself a target of a century ride before the end of the year.Most of ever done in one go was 120 km.Just turned 59,gotta get all this done before I turn 60 and turn into a pumpkin.🤔
Great video Paul, lets have more of the same.
Thanks Sam. Much to my surprise there will be a follow up on New Year's day to cover my own Festive 500 experience
Great advice and agree with everything but #9, when time is probably the main constrait on completion, as it will require approximately 17 to 20 hours, then going off road will double the time required to cover the same distances as on road. Most importantly, even if Strava (possibly for commercial reasons) allows Zwift, to me it's not in the history or spirit of #Festive500. I say this having ridden 90 minutes in the freezing rain on a ride this year. It's a mental, even more than a physical challenge for an average club cyclist. So don't diminish the mental challenge, it's what makes it fun !!
I have been wrestling with the indoor/outdoor thing David, as you will see in the next video. I would agree it's a mental challenge.
2:22 Bit harsh 😂
i know. but never let the truth get in the way of a good joke :-)
@@RidingTheLongWayHome 😂😂👌
Some great tips there. Just tell me how I can get out of Australia...and make friends...and dodge kangaroos too please ha ha.
Ah you know the reality is that I am just jealous. If the Festive 500 was in June here it would be a very different affair.
Great enjoyable video!
But 1st rule is stay safe- please wear Hi Vis!! In the words of Mungo Jerry song🎵I f u wanna get run over dress in black, dress in black,dress in black, dress in black black black🎶🎸
Well each to their own I guess when it comes to choice of clothing. Thanks for watching
Thanks! My first try. Also, you sound an awful lot like Jim Beglin :)
Jim Beglin! Now that is a niche comment. Good luck
Yea, terrible here in Aus. Have to put up with sunshine and double the wages ;)
:-) yeah that sound terrible. Thanks for watching Ryan
1 Strava wanker downvoted the video 🤣..Great tips and video 👍🏽
😄
I fail every year and why is that? It bloody snows heavy the days before. That brings loads of road gravel and salt, bad drivers, wet messy roads. Not worth it in my honest opinion.
It’s definitely tougher in some parts of the world because of the weather. We’ve had sub zero temperatures here but I’ve been able to get in rides indoors
one word: INDOORS. This year we can use indoor trainer
and that will definitely help some people complete. Good luck
No one is calling it the 311 use metric 😂
you are welcome ;-)
My advice is don't bother. You've got all year to cycle yourself into the ground, spend Xmas with your family.
well, if you actually watched the videos you will see that I am with my family
@@RidingTheLongWayHome I did, my comment was directed at potential rapha disciples.
Tip: Don’t buy overpriced, over-rated, mediocre Ralpha clothing.
Each to their own Mark. Personally I think it's excellent
Rapha overpriced cycling gear.
Not in my experience
Bad ass ! Thx Man ! Let's get it ! 7th year in a row !
Ooh I missed this one. Sorry. I will be going for number 5 this December