Do you remember Matthew Fairbrother? If he doesn't tell you anything, first go read the first 2 episodes (part 1 e part 2) and then returns here for the evolution of events. It is really worth it. Small detail: during his trip he turned 18.
pinkbike he is following the young Matthew who started without asking for help from anyone but now risks being followed more than an official driver: many media and brands have approached him because, needless to say, history has had a worldwide echo .
His adventure, his attitude and his story have inspired many people - he was exceptional. Let's read the last part of his journey, remembering you starting from the first part, if you haven't read it yet, so that you understand all the background.
INTERVIEW BY PINKBIKE
First of all, good Matt! Last time we spoke, you had just finished the EWS in the US, where you had great difficulties but are now on your way back home.
Scotland [June Round 1] has been pretty much blown out of the head, it looks like a race from years ago. But yes, I went back to Europe, I spent some time cycling in the Alps with the team Divert Cycles (editor's note, consolidated partnership during the trip). It was really nice to go back to people I knew and stay in one place for more than a few days.
The next race was Crans-Montana in Switzerland: a place not famous for being a cheap place.
There were a couple of decisions made by the organizers that I wasn't very excited about [laughs]. Firstly the cost of living in the city, and secondly the race times. I was not willing to run out of money that weekend to go to sleep in the hotel. And then, as if that were not enough, that same weekend he decided to snow, so not entirely enthusiastic.
When you say "shell out your pockets," do you mean you don't shell out for expensive accommodation?
Yes, I was self-sufficient, I lived in the bivvy (ed, tent). I managed to smuggle a lot of food from a gas station across the Swiss border, so I had a weeks supply of lollipops.
I also heard you wrote newspaper articles the night before the races.
Yes, sitting at night writing these great magazine articles didn't allow me to focus well on the EWS. I think something I have learned is that there is a lot of physical and mental fatigue doing this sort of thing and they both have a huge impact on your performance.
How did the race itself go in Crans Montana?
For me that weekend was pretty difficult. It was the beginning of a block: I was not fresh because I was working hard, as well as tired from the journey. I was so out of it both mentally and physically and didn't have much to give. At the same time, many new situations have also begun regarding the future: I am rearranging ideas and sharing my journey and my story.
Even though the weekend seemed like a failure, I learned a lot about the power of burnout (ed, Burn out is a term of English origin that literally means "burned", "exhausted" or "blown") and how to best manage it when you are stuck in that situation. You learn so much about yourself, your body and your mind when you are going through those tough times. You learn nothing when everything goes according to plan.
So there are 1000 km and 4 days to go until the next round: once the Crans Montana race was over, what did you do?
After the race I managed to start at 16:00. It took me 45 minutes to pack. I've gotten pretty good, I guess. I didn't do anything else after finishing the race, except to go and change the tires right away (so much luxury to travel with semislick).
Haven't you eaten?
No, I ate on the bike, it would have been a waste of time. It's all about efficiency.
Surely these were the tightest timings between one event and another: did you pedal in the night?
Yes but again, I'm not thrilled with the timing of the EWS [laughs]. That night it hit -2 ° while I was cycling. I have decided not to sleep. I didn't have the proper equipment to sleep at -2 ° in the mountains.
In New Zealand it is cold, but not that cold. Have you ever been in -2 degrees?
I don't think I have done anything in too bad weather conditions. I just didn't have the right equipment. But what I had was a sleeping bag. So I took out the knife and drilled two holes in the bottom so that I could put my legs in and keep pedaling, as well as the holes for the arms. I was like the Michelin Man, only less sponsored. And in the end I was soaked in sweat.
This is unreal! How long have you cycled through the night? Considering you had finished the race for 45 minutes...
It was 20 hours of pedaling, 22 hours in total.
So you find yourself in the middle of France heading southwest, what did your bed look like? Where did you sleep?
I have not changed anything about my "configuration": I slept with my helmet as a pillow and shoes worn in order to save time in the morning.
How long have you actually slept?
I actually slept well that night: 6,5 hours of sleep. Beside the cycle path.
And then you woke up the next day and left?
I actually got up on the same day, like 23:30 pm. My thought was to ride through the night, in order to be more alert and keep me warm. And then, mentally, when daylight comes, it feels like you've just started.
You have beaten your record for the longest journey ever. A few encounters to reporte?
Well, I was attacked on the final climb to Loudenville by a black bird. I have his claw marks on my arms and legs (I think ravens).
You finally made it after averaging 340km per day. Did you arrive in time to register for the last stage?
I was four minutes late for registration, but luckily they were still there. I walked the Shakedown route fully loaded with semi-slick tires, bags and all because I thought it would be the fastest route.
I arrived and then immediately went to a New Zealand news station: for this reason I had to stay up late. But this weekend I got busy and shared an Airbnb with a few others.
So you did it, you successfully made it to the last round at Loudenvielle. How did the race go?
As a physical condition I felt like a fish out of water. I was woody to say the least. But I was quite happy with how I was, after the PS 2 I was in the Top 20 U21. But in SS 3, I crashed and I realized that continuing to push was too dangerous and I just wanted to finish the race. There wasn't much energy left inside me. I felt gone.
All I can say is: Well done man! What have you learned? Apart from the sour lollipops that burn your tongue, who don't speak English in Montreal and the cartons of bicycles carried on your shoulders are not comfortable.
I think the number one thing I've learned is that if you put your mind on a goal, you can achieve it at any time - you just have to go and do it. There is no way to hold you back. To learn you have to fail.
What would you say to someone who would like to emulate you?
If you feel it, do it, but with intelligence.
I don't like setting up a plan B, it's an easy way out, but I think you need a fallback plan and a safe way in case you end up failing. Also, I think one of the keys to this is the power of words: don't let a single negative thought enter your mind, stay positive even if everything is difficult.
Meeting you in Europe this year was a shock: I was struck by your ambition, but now I am even more amazed and inspired by your desire to do and your persevering to achieve a goal. It is so inspiring. Thanks mate. Have your goals changed after this season? What do you plan to do next year?
I wanted to go abroad early and do well in the race. I have a few more years in the U21, so I hope to improve. The ultimate goal is to get enough support so that you don't have to pedal between all the races.
I want to thank all the people and brands who have supported me. They allowed me to go to Canada and the United States, which was not originally planned. It's phenomenal, they made my life easier.
I'm still trying to train because I want to keep running while traveling. At this point it looks like I'll be doing the same thing again, bikepacking between each round and hopefully getting some support to eventually film and share the story.
MATTHEW FAIRBROTHER TRIP DATA
Excluding actual EWS tests + race days.
Scotland -> Austria
1550 km
74 hours out of 6 days
Slovenia -> Italy
380 km
19 hours out of 4 days
Whistler -> Vermont
403 km
22 hours out of 2 days
Vermont -> Maine
238 km
13 hours in 1 day
Switzerland -> France
1021 km
52 hours in 4 days
EWS results
13th Overall Male U21 - “I came out of the top 10 right at the end"
10th best race result - Austria and Whistler
5th best stage result - Vermont
Do you want to follow Matthew? Here is his account Strava or your account Instagram.
Congratulations Matt, you are a great from the entire 365mountainbike editorial team, keep it up!
