5 reasons to #RideFestive5

After what has, in many ways, been an eventful year, we all deserve a break. Put your feet up, let your hair down, whatever works for you – there’s more than one way to relax and recharge.

Having said that, the holiday season comes with some well-rehearsed pitfalls, classics of the genre ranging from self-inflicted overindulgence and inactivity to overly ambitious socialising plans, or, at the other end of that spectrum, loneliness.

Whatever rings truest to you (tick all that apply), the good news is that cycling can help. But maybe you know you’ll need that magic ingredient – a motivational boost – and it’s much easier to stay motivated when you make a commitment.

While it would be great if everyone had time to take part in the Rapha Festive 500, Cycling UK wants to offer a more manageable challenge that doesn’t mean neglecting friends and family and dedicating all your time to a sporting feat.

That’s why we’re asking you to pledge to join the #RideFestive5 challenge: ride your bike on the five days between 27-31 December for five miles or kilometres, and if you can, donate £5 to the Cyclists’ Defence Fund to help us keep fighting significant legal battles involving cycling and cyclists.

#RideFestive5 asks you to simply get out on your bike for a bit of brisk activity each day, and there’s no better time for it than in the no man’s land between Christmas and New Year. Of course, if you have the time and physical prowess to spare, you can adjust the challenge to suit your needs and ride 5 hours or 50 miles each day – please, knock yourself out – and let us know how you’re doing on social media using the hashtag.

Here are five good reasons why we think you’ll benefit from joining the challenge, even if you’re not the lucky winner of the £50 Amazon gift voucher that’s up for grabs.

I’ve eaten too much turkey/chocolate/mince pies

You’ve eaten a year’s worth of Ferrero Rocher, but who’s counting – there’s just so much food to get through. Maybe you’ve finally even got a taste for bread sauce, who would have thought? You deserve it – that is not in doubt – but perhaps you had too much just now.

Nothing a gentle bike ride can’t fix. You’ll get rid of the sluggish feeling along with any possible accompanying guilt (although we’re not counting calories – life is too short).

A burst of activity is all you need to get back on track with the rest of your holiday plans. However, in this scenario it’s sometimes difficult to make that decision to go out, and that’s exactly where the commitment to our challenge comes in.

I’m too busy

We all lived through a pandemic, and haven’t forgotten. So now that, for most of us, socialising is possible again, it’s no wonder if you want to make up for lost time.

But in the midst of it all it might have slipped your mind how taxing it can be to be very busy. If you find yourself running from one relative to another, or taking a French exit when you remember you were supposed to meet Bob and Jen down the pub an hour ago, you might have crammed in too much.

Maybe you can simply cycle the distance between some of those visits? You’ll hit two birds with one stone, and it might even be quicker than driving, saving both time and money.

I need to escape the madness

No matter how much you’ve been looking forward to having everyone together, after a few days in the deep end you might have had all sorts of reminders about the peculiarities of your loved ones. Maybe there’s just too much going on.

If you’re dreaming of escape, the solution is simple. Nothing spells me time like a peaceful, meditative solo ride, whether it’s through the countryside taking in the winter scenery, or a spin around the city marvelling at how quiet the streets are during the holidays.

I am having a quiet one and I am bored/lonely

Perhaps the last couple of years have taught you that you don’t want to return to a faster pace of life, and you’ve made few plans. It might be because you’re deliberately prioritising self-care, or because you don’t have as many connections as you used to – either way you might find yourself feeling bored or lonely.

A ride will not only give you something to do, it’s healthy and will make you feel better through exposing yourself to daylight and getting those endorphins in. Maybe you can get a friend to come along, or find new ones through one of our cycling groups.

I have too much shopping to do

Although many of us want to become more ethical consumers and avoid buying unnecessary things, as well as cut back on spending due to the cost-of-living crisis, there might be some great offers in the sales that you’ve spotted. Hitting the shops on your bike is a quick way to flit from store to store and get everything done in one trip.

If you’re wondering about how to carry all your shopping home, there’s a wide selection of bags and panniers available, and we have advice – as long as you don’t balance your shopping on the handlebars, cycling can be the ultimate way to beat the queues.

We’ve busted all the excuses we can think of, so there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t be able to #RideFestive5 this holiday season. And lest you forget, there’s a prize draw with a £50 Amazon gift voucher available for one lucky winner who pledges to give the challenge a go.