Category: Rides

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

cycling, Italy Divide, Off Road, Rides, Ultra Distance Cycling1 Comment

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

cycling, Italy Divide, Kit, Off Road, Rides, Ultra Distance Cycling1 Comment

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.

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

cycling, Italy Divide, Rides, Training4 Comments

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

BeMoreMike, cycling, Le Tour, Mini Adventures, Rides, TCRNo6, Training, Transcontinental No. 62 Comments

Chasing The Circus

Matt Falconer

The Tour de France Back in July of 2018 I was at a bit of a loose end. I had the TCR coming up in 3 weeks time, and I needed to get away on the bike for a weekend, mostly to just enjoy riding but also to try a few bits and pieces out ahead of the TCR. I also was super keen to take the opportunity to go and watch the Tour de France that was moving through northern France, so a short hop over the channel would give me a chance to get up close to the action. Planning After looking into ferries, … Continue reading Chasing The Circus

BeMoreMike, cycling, Italy Divide, Rides3 Comments

Dot Watching the Italy Divide

Matt Falconer

It’s Race Time! So spring has arrived (feeling like summer), and I’m about to begin the first race of the year. In previous years for me it’s been all about the Transcontinental Race, a 4,000 km self supported bike packing race from one side of Europe to the other. I would normally just be thinking about more training, planning, and general preparation for the TCR around this time of year. To mix things up a bit this time around I’ve thrown my hat into some off road riding and the Italy Divide. I’m not setting any expectations for the race other than to enjoy it as … Continue reading Dot Watching the Italy Divide

BeMoreMike, cycling, Rides, TCRNo5, Transcontinental No. 51 Comment

TCR No. 5: The Race to Meteora

Matt Falconer

Missed my last post, click here:  CP4 to Macedonia Start from the beginning here: TCR No 5 – The Start Good Sensations I set off, enjoying the cool air and fast road and made good time. Just before Bitola, the dubious sandwich I’d had a couple hours earlier was confirmed dodgy. I made a dash into the loos, and while there checked the tracker on my phone and spotted #80 Nelson was stopped just ahead in Bitola, and hadn’t moved in a while. 6th place wasn’t too far away, and with a bit of renewed nervous and excited energy, I moved onto the border. It seemed to … Continue reading TCR No. 5: The Race to Meteora

BeMoreMike, cycling, Rides, TCRNo5, Transcontinental No. 53 Comments

TCR No. 5: CP4 to Macedonia

Matt Falconer

Missed my last post, click here:  Poprad to CP4: The Transfăgărășan Highway Start from the beginning here: TCR No 5 – The Start Nearly There Breakfast was inside the hotel restaurant from 8, so I set my alarm. I was up at 7 on my clock and breakfast was already being served. Stephane and I had two fairly amazing breakfast plates with cheese, eggs and some meat, bread, olives and maybe some fruit too. At this time I was a little confused as to why breakfast was so early, but didn’t ask too many questions… (it’ll take me to the finish to realise the time zone had changed … Continue reading TCR No. 5: CP4 to Macedonia

BeMoreMike, cycling, Rides, TCRNo5, Transcontinental No. 51 Comment

Poprad to CP4: The Transfăgărășan Highway

Matt Falconer

Last post:  Bratislava to CP3: High Tatras Start here: TCR No 5 – The Start Target: CP4 I slept fairly well at the back of the petrol station, woken at around 3.30am by a delivery driver dropping off some fresh (!) 7 days croissants, I imagined. He gave me a quizzical look, I waved and he went about his day. Being disturbed, I was reluctant to try to sleep more so figured I’d decamp and get rolling, aiming to get ahead of the heat wave before it kicked into the day. I also checked the tracker, now very interested where everyone around me was, with both 131 Robert … Continue reading Poprad to CP4: The Transfăgărășan Highway