Events: 2023 Rapha Festive 500 Day Two

(2023) Ride Distance: 24 Miles/ 266 Remain

Though there are many critics of the Rapha Festive 500, a self-inflicted cycling challenge encouraging riders to cover 500 kilometers (310 miles) in eight days, I found myself experiencing a moment of wonderment on the second day of riding.

For the 2023 Festive 500, I chose to explore the Delaware State Canal Park, a canal system that parallels the Delaware River. On the first day, the park dished out frustrations including path closures without signage and unseen obstacles causing bike issues. It would be my first time in my whole career to ride on December 25th for the Festive 500, and for a few miles, I found what I was looking for.

The first day of the Festive 500 saw my route backtrack after heading north from Point Pleasant, PA. Consider this portion a half-mile long dead end without any warning. Respecting private property to the right and the muddy ditch to the left that is considered the Delaware Canal, I turned around, noting the location for a later ride. So on day two of the Festive 500, when I picked up the trail farther north and pointed it south, I thought there would be a bridge to carry my bike and myself onto River Road. Yet again, I found myself on a trail detour, though not as lengthy. It was dark by this point. The season’s lights were dramatic in their contrast to the canyon-like existence that is River Road.

I have never ventured out by bike on December 25th. Numerous years saw thoughts of empty roads. Travel from one house to another and notice there are hardly any people out, by car or otherwise. Of all the days to ride, this always appeared sheepishly optimistic. But after family gatherings, cup(s) of cheer, and giant seasonal meals, the last initiative is to head out by bike. 

This year, though, I went out. It was along River Road, heading south into Point Pleasant that I realized I had not seen a car during my roll down this typically trafficked road. I also noticed that I had not seen a single person in the sporadic decorated houses, illuminated by the approaching full moon. There I was, my bike and myself, cruising down River Road feeling a million miles away from anything, but feeling embraced by every house passed on account of string lights. There have been unicorns in my cycling career; this was one of them. I checked off a night ride - under a nearly full moon - on December 25th ticking miles off toward a voluntary challenge. 

My route wiggled back toward home. Eventually I could be found under an illuminated intersection, waiting for the light to turn green, basking in the bright beams of the local restaurant’s outdoor lighting. The residual warm glow from those houses on River Road were now absorbed by headlights of people returning home from a full day of cheer.

Believe me when I say that this was an incredible experience. Critics will state that the Festive 500 is a free advertisement plot (it sure is), that it takes people away from friends and family (the ride was 90 minutes), and that it is a meaningless challenge (look at what I just experienced). For almost all those ideas, I agree. But had I not convinced myself to throw a leg over the bike shortly before sunset on a day I know I have never ridden, I would not have experienced the basking glow of unique houses tucked into crevices overlooking the Delaware River. I would not have had River Road all to myself knowing for miles that I was its sole possessor for a brief moment in time. Even if I don’t cover all 500 kilometers in eight days, I will be happy with that experience alone.