Esther Lloyd didn’t grow up as a cyclist, and she didn’t ease her way into the sport either.
What started as a complete beginner journey just a few years ago, has turned into racing across continents in some of the toughest ultra-endurance events in the world, including the Transcontinental Race (TCR).
Along the way she’s taken on brutal challenges like finishing third in the Trans Pyrenees Race and completing epic audaxes such as All Points North, building a reputation as someone who goes long and deep when many others would stop.
In this conversation, recorded as I prepare for my own first attempt at the Transcontinental Race, Esther generously opens up everything she’s learned from her rapid rise in the world of endurance cycling.
We get into the practical realities like where to sleep, what to eat, how to actually prepare, and what training really looks like when the distances start stretching beyond logic.
But beyond the logistics, this is really about how someone who only recently discovered cycling can become the kind of rider who lines up for one of the hardest bike races on the planet.
If you’re new to cycling and curious about how far it can take you, or if you’re already drawn to ultra-endurance racing and want a grounded, honest look at what it takes, this conversation is for you.
Follow Esther:
https://www.instagram.com/vistadelmotrone/
If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this conversation, or are struggling with an eating disorder yourself, these organisations may be able to help:
https://red-s.com
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Support the podcast:
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Mentioned in the Podcast:
Lost Dot Races: https://www.lostdot.cc/
Audax UK: https://www.audax.uk/
Bivy Nation: https://www.instagram.com/bivy_nation/
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:28 Britain through the eyes of a Kiwi
11:35 Tom's first bike race
18:50 Esther's journey into cycling
37:44 Group Riding
48:28 Audaxing
53:15 All Points North
57:18 Sleeping in the wild
01:02:56 Safety Sleeping Alone
01:09:07: Eating Disorder + Role Models
01:22:43 Trans Pyrenees
01:30:50 Transcontinental Race
