MY FESTIVE 500 EXPERIENCE | SOME TOP TIPS

[@bbikerlawrence]

Consequxtivrely

[@lpoolck17]

😂

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thanks for sharing Ben. I have to agree, every time I see a nice bit of gravel being paved, my soul dies a little.

[@neilfox9540]

Well done Ben and HNY! Another Foxy here, I completed the F500 yesterday (all outdoors). I did it over 6 days as I couldn't ride on Xmas Day or Boxing Day. It was definitely a tough challenge mainly due to weather as you say. We were having to ride through flooded roads yesterday with feet completely submerged and soaked for 4 hrs! I don't think I will do it again mainly because of time sacrifice and impact on family but glad to have experienced it.

[@helendale7668]

I've done the festive 500 three times now, all outside, in France. This time I was lucky with the weather it wasn't too windy, but I did do 125 km in fog to start on Christmas Eve. After that I did 3 x 80kms , then 3 short rides of 40 - 50 to finish a day early. It was cold, I was in a pretty hilly region and ended up doing about 7000m climbing. I'd say the same thing, try to get lots done early on and then you can ease up afterwards ! I wouldn't have liked to have to do my 125km foggy ride (with 2000m climbing) on 31st December !

[@petertreadway]

Cracking achievement, mate. Especially as you did it over just 5 days too! Storm Pia was a killer though. I did an imperial century on Christmas Eve and it took forever thanks to the wind! 🤦🏻‍♂️ Happy new year mate. 🎉

[@AndyRides]

I’m with you. I ride to enjoy it. I have stopped doing it for a challenge because it’s not always enjoyable.

[@benjaminlechappers]

Exactly!

[@04andyh]

i did the Festive 500 all outside it was the 1st time for me i live in hampshire uk the wind most days was 20 - 50 mph it was tough it didnt help i did a 65 mile ride on the 23rd.

[@lanzaroterider365]

Happy New Year mate👍 Think I’ll have a go this year, might be easier in Lanzarote weather, great vid 👍🚴😎

[@connormcc]

Fair play mate 👏🏻 - like you I’ve always wanted to do it and tick it off the list, and would want to do it outdoors not indoors, but Christmas for me has always been about chilling with the family… maybe next year though… we’ll see 😂

[@Bullitluna]

Thanks Ben for the videos you have done this year. Have brilliant new year, look forward to seeing more in 2024. I will have to try this route when I visit a friends in the northeast, but first I need to get fit again after having health issues for the last few months.

[@rubikzcuberuss7404]

Well done ben i live in sussex i also did it over 5 days,2 punctures plenty of rain n strong winds but felt invigerated for getting outside 😊 health n happiness for 2024

[@benjaminlechappers]

Yes that’s what it’s about. Well done 👌🏾

[@paul_laws]

F500 is brutal when the weather goes against you. I took the easy option - yeah I'm one of them (Zwift). Hat!

[@benjaminlechappers]

Well done. I suppose it depends on your situation, and circumstances, either way you got it done . 🙌🏾 I have nothing against completely doing it on the turbo at all I nearly did 😂

[@funkydisciple]

Happy New Year Ben. Wishing you every success in 2024 👍

[@Bazza1968]

I did it on Zwift, 520km with 3000m elevation on 6 days. Scottish Highlands is a different proposition and on the 27th it was utter carnage here with Storm Gerrit, tens of thousands of trees flattened in the vicinity (our next door neighbours lost both their car and van) and today was my first "real" mtb out and about and most of the places I bike are impassable... and if it's not wet and windy it's been well sub zero..... yeah Zwift may not be "in the spirit of it" but I want to be riding this summer coming not recovering from avoidable injuries!!

[@benjaminlechappers]

Thats fantastic work. I think you have had a great reason to “not be outdoors” Also safety first. Indoor or outdoor we got it done.

[@Bazza1968]

@@benjaminlechappers Next year might try and get to Lanzarote lol!😂

[@AdyWalter]

Well done! I did it for the first time this year, however I did it all on zwift. It was not fun 🍑🍑. I'm not sure if I will do it again. Next up for me is Sherwood Glorious Gravel at the end of March.

[@EM-wd2vg]

Great video and well done, personally I love this challenge as it suits me, my wife works in retail and Christmas is her busiest time. This is my 6th year in a row and did it with 3 days to spare this year. Needless to say I enjoyed the two days off before the ride on New Year’s Day! Thanks for posting.

[@benjaminlechappers]

Think if there was a big group out every day doing small bits I’d do it again…… maybe

[@shanegreen2583]

Happy new year Ben. 🍾🚴🏼🚴🏼

[@carlbryan2227]

Well done 👏 happy new year 👌🏿💪🏿

[@benjaminlechappers]

Happy new year!!

[@PaulAngeloff]

Happy new year Ben. Wishing you more deserved success with the channel!!

[@SherryOram72]

Happy New Year Ben! 🥳🇨🇦

[@benjaminlechappers]

Thanks Sherry

[@klein-concept]

Respekt and happy new year 🫶

[@thewattlife]

Nice work Benny boi

[@thewattlife]

I don't know anyone who called the festive 500 "festive" this year!!

[@benjaminlechappers]

Oh thanks 🙏🏽

[@Garybaxter1]

nice one guys! have a happy and healthy new year everyone! 👍

[@benjaminlechappers]

Cheers 👋🏾

[@hms350]

Great work. Kudos on surviving the weather. Unfortunately I am recovering from a hip injury and had to do the Festivus 500 on Zwift. Good that I got it done with the injury but lame indoors. Graded myself a B-.

[@benjaminlechappers]

Love that well done

[@jordywilliams]

Fair play. I did 400km in 7 days on zwift then finished with 100km outside in the rain to get some credibility. But tbf riding the trainer is still harder than riding outside in summer like they can in Aus

[@benjaminlechappers]

Turbo is 50% harder in every scenario

[@quentinpollard5173]

Happy new year 🎉, what gear do you use to make your videos? Microphone camera, mounts, etc? Thanks so much! So happy to see you hit your goals. Keep it up.

[@benjaminlechappers]

Hey, DJI Action 1. I use grill mount

[@jaynechapman]

We’ll done Benny boy 😘

[@benjaminlechappers]

Cheers mum 🤣

[@malcontent_1]

The whole idea of a 500km challenge btwn Xmas & New Years sounds _adventurous_ but sketchy, especially there in the UK

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

Just lots of rain and wind

[@SwazersC]

Days like this may require a small backpack with a thermos and food. :)

[@malcontent_1]

Hey there Ben, why does your headlight point up above horizontal, instead down towards the road?

[@benjaminlechappers]

Hi, wasn’t on. I face it down when I use it.

[@lpoolck17]

Whats the brand of your long sleeved jersey? It's a wicked colour!

[@benjaminlechappers]

Siroko

[@lpoolck17]

@@benjaminlechappers 👌

[@peterlanganke6716]

Well you had a lot of factors against you. If you can. Come down to Australia the weather a lot better for it. Well done anyway mate 👍 😊

[@benjaminlechappers]

Spare room??? 😂👊🏽

[@Charlieturnerv]

I done the f500 once wouldn't do it again. It's just to much hassle.

[@benjaminlechappers]

Facts