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Dotwatching The Transcontinental Race #TCRNo8

Matt Falconer

TCR No. 8 I’m back for the 5th time racing the Transcontinental race. The start is on Sunday 24th July, 2200 CEST (2100BST) and has moved back to what feels like its spiritual starting point Geraardsbergen, Belgium. Competition looks to be fierce this year with an incredibly strong lineup. Checkout the start list here, or check out the hashtag #tcrno8riders on Instagram. The Route The route is back to it’s somewhat traditional West to East direction finishing in 2019’s start, Bourgas, Bulgaria with controls: Start: Geraardsbergen, Belgium CP1: Krupka, Czech Republic CP2: Passo Gavia, Italy CP3: Durmitor National Park, Montenegro CP4: Transalpina, Romania Finish: Bourgas, Bulgaria … Continue reading Dotwatching The Transcontinental Race #TCRNo8

BeMoreMike, cycling, Journal, Ultra Distance CyclingLeave a comment

‘It’s just a bike ride’

Matt Falconer

It’s something I’ve said off hand a few times when others have asked how I can do big rides or ultra cycling events, or even when someone is concerned over a big or challenging day out on the bike. It is also something I always remind myself when coming up against a new challenge, or if it’s been a while since I’ve ridden a longer distance and I have some doubts. Perhaps a little over simplistic, but when you look at it this way, it really is that simple at the heart of it. What could be simpler than riding a bike? This is why I … Continue reading ‘It’s just a bike ride’

cycling, TCRNo6, The Transcontinental Race, Training, Transcontinental No. 6, Ultra Distance CyclingLeave a comment

TCR No. 6 : Getting to the Start Line

Matt Falconer

A lot of tarmac has passed under my tyres since the 2018 TCR, No. 6, and I’ve been meaning to get it all documented. It was an incredibly fortunate year on the TCR, with lots of challenges, and lots to tell. Better late than never, I guess!? Before getting into the race and how all that went, I’d thought I’d go through some things that got me to the start line. I may have gone through similar to this before in the past two years, so feel free to check out some of my older posts on TCR’s No. 4 & TCR No. 5. Training and … Continue reading TCR No. 6 : Getting to the Start Line

cycling, Italy Divide, Off Road, Rides, Ultra Distance CyclingLeave a comment

Italy Divide 2019 – Part 3: Race Report, Days 5 to 6 – Verona to Finish in Torbole

Matt Falconer

Catch up on my last post Part 2 – Naples to the Po Valley Day 5: Po Valley to Verona I woke to the sound of rain pouring outside. I initially was going to get up early in the dark and ride, but this put the brakes on that – remembering that now I wasn’t planning to ‘race’ I didn’t need to punish myself. It was inevitable I was going to get wet, so I resigned myself to doing that in daylight when it might be warmer. Laying there in the morning light, I checked up on social media and to see what was going on … Continue reading Italy Divide 2019 – Part 3: Race Report, Days 5 to 6 – Verona to Finish in Torbole

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Italy Divide 2019 – Part 2: Race Report, Days 1 to 4 – Naples to Po Valley

Matt Falconer

Catch up on the last post here: Italy Divide 2019 – Part 1: Finding the Right Tool for the Job. The Start The start of the race moved from Rome in 2018 to Naples in 2019. I think in 2020 it was planned to move a little further down the coast to Pompeii, but for 2019 it’s volcano Vesuvius would serve as a stunning looming backdrop on the horizon of the start in Naples. It was on the busy waterfront with thousands of tourists milling around and gathering, pushing the low 30’s. With the start late in the afternoon, it was a case of lingering and … Continue reading Italy Divide 2019 – Part 2: Race Report, Days 1 to 4 – Naples to Po Valley

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Italy Divide 2019 – Part 1: Finding the Right Tool for the Job.

Matt Falconer

Reflecting on a Seasons missed races So here we are, in the 78th(?!) lockdown in the UK, with all plans for ultra racing and trips in 2020 and a fair few in 2021 abandoned for safer times. I had lots of plans dashed, as did we all. It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this blog, so I thought I’d use some of this extra indoors time to reflect and share some thoughts on the 2019 Italy Divide on a Curve Cycling GXR, aka ‘Kevin’ that I borrowed from G!RO Cycles in Esher, and comparing it with the 2018 Italy Divide I complete on … Continue reading Italy Divide 2019 – Part 1: Finding the Right Tool for the Job.

BeMoreMike, cycling, TCRNo7, The Transcontinental Race, Ultra Distance CyclingLeave a comment

Dotwatching the Transcontinental Race #TCRNo7

Matt Falconer

Here we go again! So I’m back again for the 4th time, racing the Transcontinental Race. It starts In Burgas, Bulgaria on 27th July at 6am CEST (4am GMT). I’m looking forward to getting back on the road, but I’ve not had the best preparation. I imagine the expectations after last years 2nd place mean they are quite high, however I’m not as fit or as close to race weight as I’d like, so have taken the pressure off myself; my goals this race are to have a go, see how I feel and enjoy myself as much as possible. I’m looking forward to getting to … Continue reading Dotwatching the Transcontinental Race #TCRNo7

Italy Divide, Rides, Ultra Distance Cycling1 Comment

Dot Watching the Italy Divide 2019

Matt Falconer

It’s time to go racing! Spring (summer?) has been a long time coming, and the first race of the year is upon me. I’m headed back to the trails of Italy for the Italy divide for the second year in a row, but this time I’m taking a much more appropriate bicycle – a Curve Cycling GXR, also known as Kevin. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not quite as fit as I’d really like to be for this following a couple of setbacks over the winter, but really excited to be getting back to my happy place. What is the Italy Divide? This … Continue reading Dot Watching the Italy Divide 2019

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Italy Divide Part 2: Bologna to Torbole

Matt Falconer

Part 1 available here: The Italy Divide – Part 1: Rome to Bologna Day 3: Gravel Grinding the Po Valley Breakfast was not an option at the hotel, but was glad to leave it despite a late start at 8 am. I had some McDonald’s left over from the night before to keep me going for the first couple of hours. The previous days effort, and illness from the start had started to catch up with me and was feeling a little worse for wear with a hint of a cold coming on. Despite this, I was determined to give it bit of a nudge today. In … Continue reading Italy Divide Part 2: Bologna to Torbole

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The Italy Divide – Part 1: Rome to Bologna

Matt Falconer

What is the Italy Divide? Checkout my post from last April 2018 with all the info Dot Watching the Italy Divide The Bike for the Italy Divide I updated my Curve Cycling Belgie Spirit with a few modifications to accommodate going off road. Bigger tyres, more gears, and some MTB SPD pedals & shoes (for all the walking I’d end up doing). I also added some proper lights – Exposure Diablo and Strada for negotiating trails at night. The rest of the bike was as per my normal Transcontinental road bikepacking setup. Aero bars, with eTap blip shifters, Apidura bags, dynamo lights. Rome Starting the Italy Divide … Continue reading The Italy Divide – Part 1: Rome to Bologna