A huge focus of 2024 for me was biking. I prioritized it, planned trips around it, set weekly mileage goals, and as a result put in 1,000+ more miles that previous years. A few days before Christmas, I saw there were a few group rides created called Chill500 for the annual Festive 500 challenge Rapha puts on. I immediately responded with “I’m in!”

The idea is to bike 310 miles (500km) in the 8 days from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve. You have to average 39 miles a day to make it work. Its a stretch even in the nicest weather. In the winter, its a huge challenge. Machiko planned a “chill” version meaning that rides started at 11am and were at a more chill pace. (Most group rides by Rapha are crazy fast.)

I had taken the full two weeks off and had loose plans to rest and reset after a tough few months at work. I had zero concrete plans the first half of the break and figured what a better time to focus on a really tough, physical goal with a group of supportive people.

It turned out to be an amazing end of the year. I met some new friends, rode in new places, challenged myself physically, and mentally felt better than I have in months. I even finished a day early. Don’t get me wrong – it was mostly type 2 fun. The weather was pretty awful and there were days I didn’t want to go out at all. I rode in the dark, in the pouring rain, and until I couldn’t feel my hands or feet. I’m so sore. But I’d do it all again.

I am taking a week off biking to snowboard and relax in a cabin. Happy New Year! Time to set new goals for even more time on bikes with friends in 2025.

Here’s all the rides: