Here’s my video entry to the Rapha Festive 500 2012. Please check it out on YouTube in HD and leave a comment there :-)
The previous days are highlighted photos from my Instagram (@garycruz) photos I took during my ride. The Instagram links have more detail and comments. You can also scroll through the other pics I didn’t post here.
Review 42GB of video? And sync it to music? - view on instagram
One of the hardest parts of editing video is deciding what to cut out. While reviewing the video, I remembered how fun it was to ride during the whole week as challenging as it was. I mean, I can barely balance a bike since I just started cycling this year, and here I am trying to record myself climbing up 14% grades, etc.
I didn’t plan on breaking any personal records except for trying to complete the challenge EVERY DAY. I’m a weekend rider, with my farthest distance per week around 42mi / 68km.
We are blessed with lots of hills in the San Francisco bay area, but when I needed some flat land for my century, that was available too! I hope people like my video, and I really hope Rapha does too because i really want the Rapha Espresso Machine, Set of Rapha Espresso Cups and Chris King Tamper,and Classic Softshell. I used to be a Barista, so I could put the machine to good use!
My last day and group ride with Kaboom - view on instagram - view on strava
Alpine Road, a favorite cycling spot near Palo Alto, California. Originally popularized by the legendary Jobst Brandt
After ride Ramen! - view on instagram
Santa Ramen in San Mateo, CA
After our group ride, a few of us went out to eat at our favorite Ramen joint but I couldn’t stay long since I was still short 12mi / 19.2km on completing my Festive 500!
How did my rear go flat, in the TRUNK? - view on instagram
Just my luck, as soon as I got home to go for my last ride, I found out I had a rear flat. Upon inspecting my rear tire, I noticed it had a few tiny rips! With no spare tube and tire, I didn’t want to risk it so I drove to a local bike shop in Burlingame.
I ended up doing repeats near the shop just in case anything went wrong. Unfortunately, I already took off my Rapha winter cycling gear because I thought I was going to ride in some sun, but since I was delayed with this flat, I was riding in windy cold weather, and I wasn’t dressed for it!
Here’s my last segment as recorded by Strava. It wasn’t my ideal way to end the challenge, but I was happy that I got to see a lot of the San Francisco Bay Area I wouldn’t have otherwise!
Thank you Rapha for this wonderful Challenge! Now my next challenge is to edit the video! I can’t wait to get my patch!
Total Distance: 311.74mi / 502km
Total Elevation Gain: 15,538ft / 4,735m
Total Calories Burned: 12,710
Ave Speed: 14mph / 22.5kph
Ave Max Speed: 32.4 / 52.1kph
Ave HR: 151
The boys and their bikes from Santa - view on instagram
They were so happy that I was home because they have been wanting to go ride bikes too since they have been asking me since Christmas.
At Beresford Park in San Mateo, California
Heres a timelapse of me assembling Ayden’s (5) new bike:
Dylan (3) got his brother’s old bike. It looked so tiny now! The crazy thing about Ayden’s 16” bike is that I swear it is heavier than my Bianchi!
What does this say daddy? - view on instagram
At Marina Green Park, San Francisco, CA
I really wanted to try on the Classic Soft Shell jacket so we drove into the city so I could stop by Rapha Cycle Club then take the boys biking around a more scenic area.
My 1st Century - 100mi / 161km - view on instagram
View from the Dumbarton Bridge in Menlo Park, California.
At 1st I was only planning to ride 50 miles since I had such a big ride yesterday. But my legs felt great and I just kept going thinking to myself, I can have the whole day tomorrow to play with my kids.
Top of the World! - view on instagram
Behind me is the view of the Pacific Ocean and Daly City, California from 1,300ft / 396m
My boys Dylan (3) and Ayden (2) - view on instagram
The roadblock - view on instagram - view on strava
With all the rain that was happening in the San Francisco Bay area, I had no clue if I could commit to the full 500km. For my 1st ride, I rode with my buddy Chris Diaz who also happens to be the only other rider who rides a Bianchi in our group. He also took the week off and also signed up for the challenge on Strava.
We already rode through one small mudslide!
Night Rider - adding the miles to take a break for Christmas - view on Instagram - view on strava
After reading my kids a bedtime story, I convinced myself to do a ride since I was doing some math in my head on how I would complete the challenge.
This was my 1st time riding at night, I just wish I had one of these lights on my bike. More details on my Instagram post.
