Festive 500

So 2012 was the year I finally had the means to attempt Rapha's annual 'Festive 500' challenge. Being that I had four whole days off work in this period, and now have a bike at my family home up north, the challenge seemed - with a bit of planning with my ride windows, it might get off the ground. The Festive 500 is a great way to put a nice little brick into a solid winter base, get the confidence up and fight the flab of indulgence that seems to take hold over the month of December.
I rode some wicked new routes back up north in Yorkshire, with a particularly lumpy 120k on boxing day to try and work off the heinous amount of naughty food id eaten the day before. I headed out past Bolsover castle, and found some gnarly new hills that will be perfect training for my attempt at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportif come April.
I had to work from 27-29, so didn't get much riding in at this point, and also missed xmas day due to having a smashing time with the familia. So in order to meet the mileage I had to pull out a long 210km solo ride. I battled an energy-sapping headwind it seemed like the whole freaking way to the coast from London. Everytime I tried to up the pace, id simply red-line due to having to work way too much. The only respite came from knowing I might catch a bit of a tailwind on my return to the capital.
Hearty shouts go out to my understanding family for letting me zip off on the bike for 2 out of the three days I was home visiting, to my trusty overshoes & clingfilm (sadly bike at home is sans mudguards!) and finally to everyone on strava that racked up the 500ks... It was a wicked escuse not to give excuses for not riding, and the motivation was appreciated. Im now looking forward to the January 'Base-mile Blast' as Iv got some exciting riding coming up at the end of the month to prepare for. All the best and a happy 2013 to all readers! Hopefully we will catch up on the tarmac this coming year...

Giro Aeon Covers

Jack Bauer of Garmin was recently snapped with what appears to be a clear cover on his Giro Aeon helmet. Anyone have any info on these, or whether they might become commercially available like the Lazer covers? Thinking id like one for some crappy spring miles!