BRIEF:
Work that Xmas fat off & complete the Festive 500 in 1 (pint)! Be prepared for anything; from freezing cold to winter sun & blue skies to hurricane winds & rain.
| Validation: BR |
Award Distance: 500 |
Total Distance: 511km |
Speeds: 14.3-25kph |
AAA: 0.00 Rainbow Flat |
Climb: 4930m |
Event Information
Description:
NEW FOR 2021 – pick up pint 1! Beeline it out of Bristol going north on easy roads as night quickly sets in over the Severn Valley. Some of it is flat and fast, some a bit lumpier as you flank the valley floor. Late evening cross the Severn at the historic Iron Bridge and leave it behind passing through Wellington; then roughly track the course of the old GWR dual line through Market Drayton and on to Crewe. Turning you shadow the mainline to Shrewsbury and back into the Severn Valley. On into Wales you go as daylight appears at some point depending on your ooomph. Then you’ll get to Llangurig and enjoy the cafe who will be open for the entire event; 1 pint of full fat milk to keep you going? Then it’s the final leg along easily navigable roads that you have probably done before but in warmer months; no controls but a 24hr option to stop for a respite. Cross the bridge back over the Severn and you are almost there! Unless you choose to do the Double Creamed….
Dates:
Can’t do the calendar dates but still want to give it a go? I have 10 Permanent cards from last year that were going to be the event before Christmas was cancelled. These are available to be done over the Advent period & 12 days of Christmas.
details:
TBC
IMPORTANT:
This is an X-rated event for experienced randonneurs and endurance cyclists only. The organiser accepts no responsibility for winter weather or road conditions and you undertake this event entirely at your own risk.
Type & Validation
- The route is advisory - you just have to visit the controls and gain proof of passage within time limits where specified; there may be parts that you'd like to take a different route and that is entirely up to you; the time limits for the controls don't change!
- Validation: Instant - you get to take your validated brevet card home straight away at the end of the event.
Reviews
What others think.
Perfect Christmas Challenge
Fabulous audax. Excellent communication-esp how to get around the floods. Northampton came at just the right point for a sleep- I know it is not very audax, but I do like a shower and a proper bed- and there was plenty of choice there. The Christmas lights on all the houses were very pretty and really cheered up the long dark evening (thanks for organising that Will). The only thing I would change if possible would be the quite long and busy A road before Cambridge- a car nearly took us out on it. The other audaxers were delightful and I really appreciated the welcome Will gave us at the end.
Fantastic Festive 500
Wow … just wow! What an amazing and challenging ride to end 2019!. Yes there were some A-road sections that felt a bit long and some navigational moments requiring a good level of concentration, but this is massively offset by the ride through countless stunning lanes and picturesque villages, all decked with “bells and holly” – its a Christmas extravaganza! Accommodation at 340KM in a proper Audax hotel … a 100yr old bus shelter, only served to add to the adventure. A very warm welcome from Will at the ariveé, accompanied with hot food and drink was the icing on the “Christmas” cake…chapeau!
