It has been a couple of really strange weeks, both in good and bad. It feels as if the ups and downs have both peaked in an abnormal way. I won't go into any details about the downs, but I guess you need them every now and then to really figure out what's important in life. I've been fortunate to have many ups as well, and those I'm more than glad to share with you.

Lifestyle, Rapha Festive 500, WebMikael PaulinowFebruary 17, 2015rapha festive 500, TrainingComment

2014 Rapha Festive 500 - Finishing the challenge

I had 260 km with 2 days left of the Rapha Festive 500 challenge. In 4 days I had ridden in cold conditions, and that was about to change. The fourth day of riding was so far the coldest with - 21 as the lowest temperature. Day 5 would be 20 degrees warmer.

2014 Rapha Festive 500 - Surviving the cold and the snow

I had plowed through 2 days of the Rapha Festive 500 and had still 4 days left to compete the challenge. That would mean some 360 km in really changing conditions.

Rapha Festive 500, WintercyclingMikael PaulinowJanuary 4, 2015rapha festive 500, Finland, TurkuComment

2014 Rapha Festive 500 - First days

It's now a couple of days since the 2014 Rapha Festive 500 was completed. Last year I did the challenge for the first time ever, and due to only a few hours in the saddle during December I decided to give my legs the gift of trying to complete the Festive 500 again this year. The weather would be completely different from last year and that I was to learn that.

Rapha Festive 500, WintercyclingMikael PaulinowJanuary 3, 2015rapha festive 500, winter cyclingComment

Rapha Festive 500 - 2014

It is that time of the year again. It's Christmas and with Christmas Holidays comes the Rapha Festive 500. For you who don't know what the Rapha Festive 500 is, you can read the Rapha article here. In a nutshell, you need to complete 500 km outdoors on your bike between Christmas and New Year's eve.