Category: Transcontinental 2016

cycling, Kit, Transcontinental 20161 Comment

TCR No. 4 – Final Preparations & Kit List

Matt Falconer

The last few weeks of July was all about getting all those final preparations complete. The bike, kit, route and final travel preparations. I spent an awful lot of time tweaking my bike, with some critical last minute adjustments that really made a difference on the race. Service With three weeks to go, I put my bike in for a service with Jonny over at Noble Wheels, who also built up my custom wheels. I also handed him a set of ACOR semi-hydraulic disc brakes to fit with the new drive train components. My disc brakes were a last minute switch from TRP Spyres which were woefully inadequate … Continue reading TCR No. 4 – Final Preparations & Kit List

cycling, Rides, Training, Transcontinental 2016Leave a comment

Pre-Race: Final Training – June & July

Matt Falconer

I’ve been a bit lax with blogging in the lead up to the Transcontinental Race. I was busy with work, riding and the final preparations and it was one more thing that I figured I would put off until the end. There is now an awful lot to tell you about! First up, I had some great fun in June & July with some awesome rides, carrying on from my theme in May, #RideWithMates, and some TCR training rides I’d been putting off. It was a very good couple of months! Wiggle Dragon Ride I was fortunate to win a place in the Dragon Ride thanks to … Continue reading Pre-Race: Final Training – June & July

cycling, Training, Transcontinental 20165 Comments

Training for the Transcontinental Race

Matt Falconer

How do you train for a 2,500 mile solo unsupported bicycle race? I’ve never done one before, so in all honesty I don’t really know. What I do know is that I love riding my bike, and I believe that as long as I’m doing that I’m at least on the right track. Now, what I do know has led to me a basic plan. A lot of people have asked me what training I’m doing, and I thought I would share this loose plan in order to ‘get fit’ for this race. There are a few parts to this… 1. Consistency I’ve always believed that this is … Continue reading Training for the Transcontinental Race

cycling, Mini Adventures, Rides, Transcontinental 20167 Comments

TCR Training Ride

Matt Falconer

So, are we ready? Well, in many respects, I think I’m on the right track, however after a small tester of a trip I’ve realised that there is still much work to be done! It’s quite handy then that there is still 4 months left to prepare… So far, I’ve spent many hours and days planning my route for the TCR, researching equipment and pulling together my bikepacking kit, bike, and methods for getting from A to B. So what was this training ride about? The plan: cycle from my home in Thames Ditton to my mums in my home city, St. David’s in Pembrokeshire in Wales. 436km. … Continue reading TCR Training Ride

cycling, Transcontinental 20162 Comments

Transcontinental 2016 Entry

Matt Falconer

So over the last 5 years since taking up cycling, I’ve come a very long way (in many ways). People who knew the 18.5 stone couch potato recognise how far this really is, and the 13 stone shadow of my former self is testament to how much cycling has taken over and enhanced my life. In 2015 I was able to achieve some pretty cool things on the bike, and in the process raise a fair amount of cash for the charity Action for Kids. Some more on this here. Throughout the year, I was constantly looking towards the future and what more I could do. I … Continue reading Transcontinental 2016 Entry