In 2025 we’re hoping to be able to see equal gender representation in the Festive 500 Challenge, so we’re approaching the application process a little differently. Entries are open until mid-Feb for the first round of selection, and we are also offering underrepresented groups two sessions with a L3 HHV coach to help plan their training.

Why should women do it?

Fran Hall, 2024 participant said:

I would absolutely encourage women and non binary folk to give the Herne Hill festive 500 a go. No doubt it’s a challenge, but I found it easier than doing a 330km A to B ride in the summer! You don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to stop for the loo or food, or keeping up with the group. You won’t get lost or stranded somewhere on your own in the dark. Although I had a good endurance base from the summer race season, my winter training hadn’t gone to plan with a busy work schedule and I hadn’t managed to ride longer than 160km in the build up to the event. But it’s as much about how you can pace yourself, feed yourself and handle sleep deprivation, which I think women tend to be highly skilled at! There were some hare and tortoise examples in our group, with women finishing sooner than some of the faster men (who stopped for longer). Finally- you get a huge amount of kudos with the men (and women) you ride with - worth giving it a go for that!

Marta Cooper, 2024 participant said:

What I loved was how energising it felt to know what my body could do. In the days and weeks after the F500, everyday challenges in work and life instantly became so much more manageable: it was like something had switched in my head and I thought 'well, I've done 500km in one go, I can do anything!'. This was something I genuinely wasn't expecting, and was a pleasant after effect!  

Training for the F500 didn't bring the same pressure as training for a specific race or competition, where I'd have to spend time building up to and exceeding a certain level of intensity (and be worried whether I'd be able to maintain it on race day!). Instead, it was more about volume and consistency - and critically, about training my brain: for me, that was lots of 2 hour rides on Zwift at a specific heart rate and making sure I didn't exceed it. Rather than training my legs and heart to be comfortable with a certain power output, I was training my mind to be comfortable with the mundanity (and it does get mundane!) of turning the pedals for long periods of time. To supplement the riding, yoga and pilates around 2-3 times a week was essential for me to build strength and feel comfortable in the saddle for long rides. 

There's no way 500km in one go can't sound daunting. But the way it became less daunting for me was to break it down into chunks. I broke my ride down 2-hour blocks at a certain speed, and I knew how many carbs I'd need to consume during that time. After each block I'd take a break and had planned the food I'd need for those breaks too. Thinking about one block at a time, one break at a time, was essential for the event to become manageable. Don't underestimate just how much you need to eat (and how often) - but remember there's nothing your body can't do when you're inhaling microwaveable rice and roast potatoes! 

Click here to apply to the Festive 500 in 2025