Episode #24
Matthew Fairbrother - What is the limit?
He’s the kind of rider who sees a mountain range, a race calendar, or a line on a map and immediately starts wondering what’s possible. Matthew Fairbrother joins us to talk about the mindset that’s taken him from a young racer in New Zealand to one of mountain biking’s most unique endurance adventurers. Whether it’s riding between Enduro World Series rounds across Europe, climbing over 10,000 vertical metres in a day, taking on the Tour du Mont Blanc, or creating self-supported challenges that seem impossible on paper, Matthew has built a reputation for choosing the harder path simply because he’s curious where it leads. This conversation isn’t really about distance, elevation, or race results. It’s about chasing progress, learning through discomfort, and finding satisfaction in working toward something that genuinely excites you. We dive into the highs and lows of ultra-endurance riding, the mental strategies Matthew uses when things get tough, and why breaking a massive challenge into smaller goals can make the impossible feel achievable. We also explore his evolution from a shy teenager travelling Europe alone to someone actively seeking out new cultures, experiences, and adventures. Along the way, we discuss self-supported racing, bikepacking, content creation, and why, at the core of it all, Matthew still sees every bike as simply a tool for the next adventure. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly
