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.
Event review summary:
Route:
Extensive route notes and a variety of files will be distributed to entrants via email a week or two before the event. In the mean time use the interactive map for an overview of what lies ahead (subject to change); toggle the elevation & grade on/off by clicking the key. *Please note plugin's 'grade' is experimental so take it with a pinch of salt, especially where rocky outcrops may be present.
| Type: BR | Points Distance: 500 | Total Distance: 509km |
| Speeds: 14.3-25kph | AAA: 0.00 Rainbow Flat | Climb: 4930m |
| Time: 35h38 | Entry closes: 15/12/20 | Entry (min): £9.50 |
description:
NEW FOR 2020 – 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….
details:
Food before depart and at Arrivée included.
Expect weather to range from freezing cold with ice and frost to glorious sunshine one day followed by hurricane winds and walls of water the next to unseasonally warm and benign – be prepared for anything!
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.
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!
