The Ride Companion
The Ride Companion is a mountain bike podcast hosted by Olly Wilkins and Davi Birks. As the title suggests, it revolves around riding bikes, but the show often forgets to stay on that topic. It mixes casual banter, personal stories, and plenty of tangents, capturing the culture and humor of the mountain bike community.
Episodes
Riders Are Destroying Their Own Bike Parks?
Davi and Olly are back together to discuss the serious issues at S4P Bike Park, whether Red Bull Cerro Abajo could take mountain biking mega mainstream and their upcoming trip to Whistler for the UCI Downhill World Cup. In this episode Olly explains what has been happening at S4P Bike Park, and why after years of personally investing time and money into the trails the is under serious threat of cl
Roger Vieira on Factory Racing, Winning Cerro Abajo & Chasing a World Cup Podium
Roger Vieira is back on The Ride Companion during the best season of his life... In this episode, Roger explains how Bernard Kerr's injury ultimately opened the door for him at Pivot, what life inside a factory downhill team is really like and whether factory support has actually made him faster or, simply given him the opportunity to show the speed he already had. Roger breaks down his first pr
Rachel Atherton's Most Honest Interview Yet
Rachel Atherton is one of the greatest downhill mountain bike racers of all time. With 40 UCI Downhill World Cup victories, six overall titles, five elite World Championships and the only perfect World Cup season in history, Rachel achieved almost everything the sport could offer. In this deeply honest conversation with Davi and Olly, Rachel opens up about what happened when winning stopped defin
TOP MOMENT: Brendog got smoked by Amaury Pierron!
Listen or watch the full episode with Brendan Fairclough below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- Check out Brendan & Co's new business at https://riderovika.com and enter the code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off the entire site! You can also support our long term partners: Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com SRAM: sram.com/en/sram a
TOP MOMENT: World Cup Downhill Is a Cruel Sport With Jenna Hastings
Listen or watch the full episode with Jenna Hastings below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees! You can also support our long term partners: Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb Focus Bikes → focus-bi
Tailgatin' with Bernard Kerr
Welcome to Tailgatin' with Bernard Kerr, a special episode of The Ride Companion presented by Igloo! We travelled to Pivot Factory Racing HQ in Wales to catch up with Bernard and do some talkgatin' across his incredible and very unique car collection. Bernard shares a brutally honest assessment of his 2026 downhill season, opens up about breaking his kneecap at Lenzerheide and reveals his plan to
Brendan Fairclough Reveals New Business, the Legends Returning to Les Gets and Rampage Advice
Brendan Fairclough is back on The Ride Companion to reveal his new business, ROVIKA! Recorded inside the ROVIKA warehouse, Brendog and Olly Wilkins also look ahead to Les Gets, where Brendan is joining downhill legends Sam Hill and Steve Peat for a special Monster Energy course preview. Brendan also shares what it's really like trying to follow Amaury Pierron at race pace, why World Cup qualifyi
Jenna Hastings Gets Honest About Life as a World Cup Racer
Jenna Hastings joins The Ride Companion for an incredibly honest and hilarious conversation about life as a professional World Cup Racer. The Pivot Factory Racing rider and 2022 Junior Downhill World Champion opens up about the pressure of qualifying, questioning whether she can still ride a bike during World Cup practice and crying between Q1 and Q2 before fighting back to finish fifth in Andorr
TOP MOMENT: The Reality of Being a Pro Rider with Sam Hockenhull
Listen or watch the full episode with Sam Hockenhull below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees! You can also support our long term partners: Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb Focus Bikes → focus-bi
10 Years of The Ride Companion
Ten years ago, I recorded the first version of this podcast from my bedroom with no microphone, no experience and absolutely no idea what I was doing. More than 460 episodes later, I wanted to sit down and reflect on some of the milestones that reflected where this all started. On my own, in a room, still with no idea what I'm doing. This is a solo reflection on the terrible early recordings, th
TOP MOMENT: Mathew Pritchard LIVED With Chickens For A Failed TV Show?!
Listen or watch the full episode with Mathew Pritchard below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees! You can also support our long term partners: Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb Focus Bikes → focus-
Sam 'Dave' Hockenhull From Manchester City Academy to Professional Mountain Biker
Sam 'Dave' Hockenhull joins Olly and Davi for his first appearance on The Ride Companion. Sam explains how he went from Manchester City football academy to becoming one of mountain biking's most naturally gifted and unique riders. He shares why he walked away from football, how Josh Bryceland took him under his wing, the beginnings of 50to01 and how he's turned a hobby into a career. Sam also tal
TOP MOMENT: adidas tech lands in downhill
Listen or watch the full episode with Alan Milway below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees! You can also support our long term partners: Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb Focus Bikes → focus-bikes
Mathew Pritchard Talks Sobriety, Fame, The Road Of Excess & Life After Dirty Sanchez
Mathew Pritchard is best known as one of the stars of MTV's Dirty Sanchez but, this chat goes far beyond the stories everyone has already heard... In this episode, Mathew joins Davi and Olly to talk about who he was before the fame, how skateboarding shaped his life, how Pritchard vs Dainton became Dirty Sanchez, what MTV saw in the group and what life was really like when the show exploded aroun
Alan Milway on adidas Tech, World Cup Politics & the Secret to Going Faster
Alan Milway joins Davi and Olly for an inside look at the Norco x adidas Race Division and the realities of coaching riders at the sharp end of the UCI Downhill World Cup. Alan explains why what feels fast on a downhill bike isn't always fast, how he uses split-screen analysis and trackside timing to improve line choice, and why some elite riders need to slow down to actually go faster. There's
Warner's Race Companion: La Thuile World Cup
Join us live for Rob Warner's Race Companion, a downhill watch-along party for the La Thuile World Cup. Rob Warner joins The Ride Companion for a live watch-along party, expect reactions, stories, predictions, chat interaction, giveaways and probably a fair bit of chaos while the racing unfolds. To watch the actual race footage: open the official UCI Mountain Bike World Series broadcast on TNT S
Stag Do Refunds, Ghost Stories & Strava Crimes - Listener Questions Special
This week on The Ride Companion, Davi and Olly dive into a listener questions special… which very quickly turns into rants about stag do refunds, billionaires, ghosts, Morzine, beer vs lager, belt drive bikes, Strava shortcuts, trail etiquette, Angel Delight and whether Race Companion live commentary will return. The lads also talk about the response to the first Race Companion watch-along with Ro
Andrew Neethling Brings Mass-Start Banter, World Cup Bench Racing & DH's Biggest Debates
Andrew 'Needles' Neethling joins The Ride Companion for a full race-chat episode covering the current state of World Cup downhill, the brutal new qualifying format, Luca Shaw missing finals after winning a World Cup, Finn Iles' incredible back to back wins, Anna Newkirk's breakout victory, team pressure, privateers, broadcast storylines and what downhill needs to do to grow. We also get into Andr
Loam & Away Teaser: Things We Can't Make Make Sense!
This is a free teaser from Loam & Away, our Patreon exclusive show for The Ride Companion supporters. In this one, Davi, Olly and producer Doug spiral into the tiny everyday things that make them feel like complete aliens. People standing up on planes, champagne, Guinness, expensive watches, sleep trackers and social media turning real places into photo queues. Watch/listen to the full episode and
Sam Reynolds & Euan Bowen On Concussions, Crashes & Brain Health In MTB
Crashing is part of mountain biking but, how much do we really understand about what happens to the brain when we hit our head? On this episode of The Ride Companion, Davi and Olly are joined by HIT Recognition founder Euan Bowen and Sam Reynolds for an eye opening conversation about concussions, head impacts, brain health and the future of safety in MTB. Euan explains how HIT Recognition starte
Loam & Away Teaser: Are We Aliens?
This is a preview of Loam & Away, our Patreon exclusive show for The Ride Companion supporters. In this clip, Davi and Olly discuss weird personal habits, social awkwardness, panic buying expensive wine and why normal life sometimes makes you feel like a complete alien. Watch/listen to the full episode, get early access and exclusive offers at: https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion The main
Warner's Race Companion: Leogang Downhill World Cup
Join us live for Rob Warner's Race Companion, a downhill watch-along party for the Leogang World Cup. Rob Warner joins The Ride Companion for a live watch-along party, expect reactions, stories, predictions, chat interaction, giveaways and probably a fair bit of chaos while the racing unfolds. To watch the actual race footage: open the official UCI Mountain Bike World Series broadcast on TNT Spo
Olly's Dream MTB Trip, Vanta Jam Chaos & World Cup Dramas
Davi and Olly are back in studio for a proper catch-up episode covering everything from Vanta Jam to Olly's dream trip to Japan, Luca Shaw's first Downhill World Cup win, the Enhanced Games controversy, Japanese snacks, sumo wrestling, live commentary nerves and the future of MTB. Davi breaks down what really happened at Vanta Jam at BikePark Wales, including Rob Warner's last-minute car trouble,
Nathan Bennett Explains Why Japan Might Be Mountain Biking's Best Kept Secret
Olly Wilkins is in Minakami, Japan for a special bonus episode of The Ride Companion with MTBJapan founder Nathan Bennett. Nathan moved from New Zealand to Japan 30 years ago and has spent decades building, clearing and guiding mountain bike trails in one of the most unique riding destinations in the world. In this episode, Olly and Nathan talk about the hidden MTB scene in Japan, why the dirt and
32" Wheel Debate, Sea Otter, Japan Loam Hunting & Mexico Street Race Builds
This week on The Ride Companion, Davi and Olly are finally back in the studio for a proper catch-up after a wild few weeks of travel and big life moments. Davi breaks down the full California trip, from cruising the Pacific Coast Highway and visiting Sea Otter, to heading to Marin Bikes HQ and reflecting on a full-circle moment that started with a teenage dream of living in America. Olly shares th
Matt Cipes: Marin Bikes Product Boss On The Future Of MTB & E-Bike Development
On this episode of The Ride Companion, we're joined by Matt "Cippy" Cipes from Marin Bikes. Cippy is Marin's Category Manager for performance mountain bikes, which means he plays a huge role in shaping the brand's full suspension bikes, e-bikes, spec choices, geometry, suspension feel, pricing, development timelines and overall ride quality. Recorded at Marin Bikes HQ in California, this episode
Wyn Masters Shares What Really Happened In South Korea
Wyn Masters is back on The Ride Companion after a brutal crash at the opening round of the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup in South Korea. Fresh from the Mona YongPyong World Cup, Wyn joins Davi and Olly to explain exactly what happened in the crash that left him with a fractured wrist and a serious AC joint injury. Wyn breaks down the controversial B-line, the lack of visibility, rider traffic, mars
Martha Gill & Janelle Soukup On Pioneering Women's MTB While Keeping It Fun
Martha Gill and Janelle Soukup join The Ride Companion for a powerful conversation about the progression of women's mountain biking, freeride, racing, mentorship and what it takes to build a career in the sport. During this episode Martha Gill, the 2024 Queen of Crankworx and long time Marin Bikes athlete, shares her journey from cross-country racing and Olympic hopeful to enduro, Crankworx, Luci
Matt VanEnkevort, The CEO Who Revived Marin Bikes
Davi visited Marin Bikes HQ in California to sit down with CEO Matt VanEnkevort to learn the real story behind how one of mountain biking's most iconic brands rebuilt itself around one simple idea, MADE FOR FUN. On this episode of The Ride Companion Matt shares the story of joining Marin in 2012, when the brand was in serious trouble and how the team rebuilt the company, the product range and the
The Retro MTB Challenge, Looksmaxxing, Bosch Updates & Social Media Addiction Lawsuits
Davi and Olly sit down for a proper catch-up episode! On this episode of The Ride Companion Davi talks about getting back on the regular bike, crashing on his own and setting a retro bike challenge. Olly shares what the first month of being a Dad has been like and his tips for trying to ride more. The lads also chat about looksmaxxing, noise cancelling tech, the new Bosch ebike Update, META being
Gee & Dan Atherton Reveal The Future Of Red Bull Hardline
Dan and Gee Atherton have HUGE Red Bull Hardline updates! On this episode of The Ride Companion Dan and Gee, Atherton reveal the debut of Red Bull Hardline British Columbia, coming to Cypress Mountain near Vancouver on October 17th 2026. Designed by Dan and Gee Atherton, the course will bring the gnarliest downhill race in the world to one of the most iconic mountain bike regions on the planet. T
Danny Hart: Inside The Mind Of A Downhill World Champion
Danny Hart joins The Ride Companion for a BANGER episode! In this episode, Danny takes us deep inside the world of World Cup downhill racing. He talks openly about pressure, qualifying formats and how the sport has evolved since his legendary 2011 Champery World Champs run which cemented his name in mountain biking history. Danny shares what it was like winning world championships at such a young
Andrew Dodd on 20 Years in the Bike Industry: Truths, Reviews & The State of MTB
Andrew Dodd aka Doddy is the podcast! Doddy is a man who has lived through every era of mountain bike media, from the golden age of print magazines at MBUK to YouTube with Global Mountain Bike Network and now working inside the industry with Mondraker. We dive deep into the evolution of mountain biking, how bike media really works behind the scenes, and why the modern bike industry might be overco
Top Moment: Sam Reynolds on slopestyle's golden years
Listen or watch the full episode with Sam Reynolds Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- - Stashed are offering TRC listeners and exclsuive 10% discount with code TRC10 at https://www.stashedproducts.com/trc - Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk - invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://
Dom Ferris of Trash Free Trails on Trail Litter and How We Fix It
Dom Ferris, founder of Trash Free Trails joins The Ride Companion to talk about one of the biggest issues affecting every rider, runner and outdoor space user: single-use pollution on our trails. Dom explains how Trash Free Trails started, why trail litter is about far more than 'bad behaviour' and how mountain bikers can take real ownership of the places they ride. The conversation goes deep int
Top Moment: Brendan Fairclough on why Monster entered downhill
Listen or watch the full episode with Brendan Fairclough Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon Episode Sponsors:- - SRAM: https://www.sram.com/en/sram - Want an easy way to tick your daily nutritional needs? Support the show and get 15% OFF HUEL products with code 'RIDE' at https://huel.com/. Unlock a healthier, easier way to eat with Huel — nutritionally complete meals in minu
Olly is a Dad!!
In this episode of The Ride Companion, Olly opens up about becoming a Dad, the intense reality of birth, life in and out of hospital, sleep deprivation, and what the first days with baby Wilf have been like. During the episode the lads also talk about Davi's up-coming trip to Sea Otter, MTB's identity crisis, eat some weird snacks and share watching and listening recommendations. Episode Sponsors
Sam Reynolds on Rejoining Polygon & Why DarkFest 10 Could Be the Last
Sam Reynolds is back in The Ride Companion studio and this one's packed! On this episode we're talking DarkFest 10 and, why it MIGHT be the final event, the new Rocket 2 concept for even more airtime and Sam's full circle return to Polygon bikes after first signing with them back in 2012. Sam breaks down the behind the scenes story of landing his first 'proper' sponsor, how Polygon helped shape hi
Brendan Fairclough on Signing with SRAM, Monster Energy's DH Move & a Secret Project Reveal
Brendog's back in studio and this episode is stacked! On this episode of The Ride Companion Brendan Fairclough pulls back the curtain on his new SRAM deal and why it really happened, the new parts he's running (Boxxer / Maven / XX DH) and what it's like bolting fresh parts on… then riding a brand new custom downhill track in South Africa. Brendog also reveals details of his new travel series and t
New Bike Day & A POV Podcast Experiment!
It's just Davi and Olly in the studio this week and.. it goes exactly how you'd expect. Davi has a new bike day and brings his new Marin Alcatraz dirt jump bike to work (nothing hits like a fresh hardtail), which turns into a bigger conversation about why you don't actually need the best bike to have the most fun. The lads talk about Hardline Tasmania being cancelled, the Super Bowl let down and e
Martyn Ashton on Why Mountain Bikers Need to Show Up for Mountain Biking
In this episode of The Ride Companion, mountain bike legend Martyn Ashton joins us for one of our most honest, funny and important conversations yet. We talk about Martyn's latest project, Rideable Now and why he believes mountain bikers need to show up for mountain biking. During the episode Martyn gives the usual dose of self deprecation to powerful reflections on injury, identity and access. Ri
Hardline Tasmania Bench Racing & Predictions
Red Bull Hardline Tasmania is just days away. Let's go bench racing and make some fun predictions! Olly and Davi break down the full rider list including Jackson Goldstone, Asa Vermette, Bernard Kerr, Troy Brosnan, Sam Hill, Aaron Gwin, Roger Vieira, Gracey Hemstreet and more plus, who's missing, who's under the most pressure and, why Hardline might be changing. The lads also make Hardline Tasman
The TRC Race Team, Motorway Rules, A Pinkbike Award and More
The first Ride Companion catch up of 2026… and we're straight back into it! We kick things off talking winter illnesses, whether 'man flu' is actually a thing, and why the placebo effect might be more powerful than people think, along with a few honest Christmas confessions (including why we're both useless at gifts). Lunch & Learn is back and we look at motorway lane rules what the rules actuall
Playing MAVRIX with Jono & Matt Jones!
Matt Jones and Jono Jones join The Ride Companion to break down MAVRIX ahead of console release on January 22nd. During this episode Matt and Jono give Davi and Olly a tour of the virtual world they've help create, the boys explain how it was built, what makes it feel so real and why it could bring a whole new wave of riders into mountain biking. Matt and Jono also share the future plans for the
Blake Samson On Building His New Channel the Right Way
Blake Samson (aka Zimblake) is back on The Ride Companion to talk about what happens after you take the leap. In this episode, Blake breaks down launching his new YouTube channel, building his first major project from scratch, why he's choosing the slow, proper route, and how trust, planning, and passion are shaping what comes next. We also dive into burnout, long-form content, attention spans, b
Jono Jones on Saracen, MAVRIX, returning to racing (ft. Matt Jones)
Jono Jones is back for the first Ride Companion episode of 2026 and, Matt Jones joins the chat too! On this episode Jono talks about his return to Saracen Bikes, his early World Cup years, racing as a junior, learning to manage pressure and why stepping away from results chasing has changed how he rides. Jono also shares insights on his role at MAVRIX, what he actually does, why he left banking t
The Best Moments of The Ride Companion (2025)
Companionship, THANK YOU you for an incredible year! Join Olly and Davi as they look back at their personal favorite moments from The Ride Companion in 2025 plus, all the top moments as voted for by you. Episode Sponsors:- - For a limited time, our listeners get 60% off FOR LIFE AND 2 Free Gifts at Mars Men when you use RIDE at https://mengotomars.com/ Get early access & ad-free episodes → htt
What 2025 Taught Me (12 Lessons)
In this episode, I (Davi) reflect on the lessons I've learned this year through building the podcast and business, navigating burnout, deepening friendships, saying no more often, and learning when to slow down. I talk about why community doesn't have to be wide but it does have to be deep, why you can't outwork your nervous system, how guilt shows up when we rest and why giving yourself permissio
Community Rules Over Everything... (EOY Episode)
HOLY what a year Companionship! Davi and Olly sit down to chat about the recent TRC Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales and how unreal it was. The lads also chat about Davi's new hobby, Travis Pastrana's RMZILLA video, Lando Norris becoming F1 champion, breaking into events, Wyn Masters responding to haters, a discussion about the importance of community plus much more... Thanks so much for your sup
Roger Vieira Breakthrough Season Review, Street Race Wins & Factory Future
Roger Vieira is back on The Ride Companion and this time it's a completely different chapter! Roger Vieira & Pivot Factory Racing was one of the best stories to come out of the 2025 season. Last time Roger sat in the studio he was questioning whether a factory ride would ever happen, then just weeks later he found himself in Poland racing a brand new bike with barely any testing and suddenly livi
The Speed Episode Gets Weird (Again)
This week's episode is a quick-fire catch up with Davi and Olly as they race the clock, talking winter riding, long johns, sauna chats, Facebook Marketplace rabbit holes and getting properly hyped for The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales. The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales! Episode Sponsors:- - For a limited time, our listeners get 60% off FOR LIFE AND 2 Free Gi
Lando Steezy: The Real Story of How Cycling Saved His Life
Lando Steezy (Leo Smith) has one of the rawest and most inspiring stories we've ever had on The Ride Companion. From growing up homeless, losing family members, watching friends fall into crime and addiction and nearly going down the same path himself, to discovering BMX and eventually becoming one of the most recognisable and influential riders in UK mountain biking, his journey is unreal. In t
Olly's Brutal Injury & Davi's INSANE Amazon Purchases
We're back for a long overdue catch up episode folks! We're back with a long overdue catch-up episode! Olly and Davi dive into the current state of the podcast, what the future might look like, and the chaos that's been happening behind the scenes. Olly breaks down his recent injury and how his foot photos somehow blew up on Instagram, while Davi reveals the wild rabbit hole of TikTok led Amazon p
Tom Isted: Inside Red Bull Rampage 2025 (Judging, Building, Injuries & More)
Tom Isted is back on The Ride Companion! Fresh from Red Bull Rampage 2025, Tom stops by the studio to break down every detail of his time in the Utah desert — from building his line and flipping flat drops, to navigating event politics and dealing with the fallout from Adolf Silva's crash. Tom shares how he manages risk, his honest take on judging, and what it really takes to earn respect at freer
Rob Warner talks Red Bull Rampage, ADHD, new music career and more...
Rob Warner is back on The Ride Companion! In this episode, Rob joins Olly and Davi to talk about his first ever trip to Red Bull Rampage, what it was like to finally see the venue in person, the true scale you can't capture on TV and what it feels like watching riders hit massive freeride lines for the very first time. The lads also dig into the harsh realities of athletes pushing big-mountain fre
Gee Atherton: Bottling Fear, Mindset, Hardline Future & The Crash That Changed Everything
The legend, Gee Atherton is on the podcast! In this episode Gee opens up like never before. From bottling fear and the brutal lessons of the Knife Edge crash, to the mindset shift that's carried him from World Cup Downhill racing into big mountain freeride projects. We get into the story of Atherton Bikes and why the family had to start their own brand, why having a World Cup race team was non-ne
Duncan Ferris on The Psychology of Trail Building, 4X Racing and More
Trail boss Duncan Ferris is on the podcast! Duncan Ferris has lived two MTB lives: from 4X racer and World Cup track builder to shaping the UK's most ridden bike park trails at BikePark Wales. In this episode, Duncan takes us from the Bristol BSX scene, to building World Cup 4X tracks like Schladming, Vigo and Villingen and finally chasing down the National Champs jersey after 20 years. We dive de
Phil Atwill Talks Style, Mental Health, Team Management, Downhill and More
Phil Atwill is on The Ride Companion Podcast! In this episode, Phil joins Olly and Davi to talk about his incredible career (so far), from making riding fun at Aston Hill and earning his first pay cheque as a pro, to dealing with injuries, pressure, and the infamous 2017 hardtail World Cup protest run. He talks about his long-standing relationship with Propain Bikes and how it inspired the creatio
Red Bull Rampage 2025 Preview (with Brendog)
Join Brendan Fairclough, Olly Wilkins and Davi Birks as they preview the Red Bull Rampage 2025 mens rider list. You're not going crazy either, this is an excerpt from our recent episode with Brendan Fairclough. WIN a Troy Lee Designs D4 by playing fantasy Red Bull Rampage at theracecompanion.com for free! Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion You can al
Dan Milner on Wild Adventure MTB Photography (North Korea, Afghanistan & More)
Adventure photographer Dan Milner has spent three decades turning a bike into a passport. From North Korea to Afghanistan, from camping among polar bears in Svalbard to being buried by a 10-day Alaskan blizzard, his career has been about chasing risk, chasing stories, and suffering for the photo. During this episode we get into the infamous 1994 MBUK self-timer 'selfie' that started it all, smuggl
Anton Thelander: From Slopestyle Phenom to Burnout & Finding the Love Again
Swedish mountain bike royalty Anton Thelander is on the podcast! On this episode of The Ride Companion Anton talks about going from local skateparks and Sweden's MTB school to Red Bull Phenom, a 4th place at Joyride and a Rampage debut before suffering the effects of burnout. In this brutally honest conversation Anton opens up about Martin Söderström's mentorship, Canyon signing, that first Red B
Brendan Fairclough Reveals His Gnarliest Build Ever + Rampage 2025 Predictions
Brendan Fairclough is back in the studio to reveal his gnarliest build ever and give us an exclusive first look at his wildest project yet, a 9m treehouse to under ground tunnel build we've (temporarily) named MTB OBLIVION. We cover why Bren's sitting out Rampage this year, the mental game of competing in Utah, who he's tipping for the win (Godziek, TVS, Emil, Zink?), and the chaos of creating a
Loam Hunting, Secret Tech & Olly's Surprising New Hobby
Loam hunting, superbikes, and downhill! This week Olly and Davi discuss why riders are obsessed with loam, World Superbike vs MTB, BMC's possibly secret XC dropper tech, Olly talks about his trip to Les Gets to discover a new hobby, Ronan Dunne's insane run and Theo Erlangsen winning the internet. We also talk Cerro Abajo in Italy, Billy Bolt's Red Bull Tyne Ride, the future of urban racing, answe
Blake Samson Reveals Why He Really Left GMBN (and What's Next)
Blake Samson (aka Zimblake) is on the podcast!! After nine years at GMBN, Blake opens up for the first time about what it was really like to be part of one of the world's biggest MTB YouTube channels. He takes us inside the "gold rush" early days, the reality of filming 365 videos a year, the sunshine shoots, idea sessions, thumbnail battles, and the relentless pace that nearly broke him. Blake al
A podcast about anxiety and other things
Flying solo this week companionship! During this episode I decided to talk about anxiety (amongst other things). I wanted to share how my anxiety presents it's self, where I think it comes from, why so many of us feel it and what's actually helped me manage it. I also take some time to answer some listener questions around MTB origins, riding with pros, running in a new bike, ebikes, Billy Bolt's
Honey, I Shrunk the Nuts! Listener Questions Special
You're listener questions NEVER disappoint! A proper mixed bag this week folks. No guest, just your amazing questions. We go deep on memories, first crashes, shrinking nuts, inspirations, dodgy tricks, bike tech, injuries, the price of bikes and even how many times we all poo in a day. Safe to say our listeners (YOU) are the best! Episode Sponsors:- - Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more wi
Our Weird Spa day, Icks, Gym Etiquette and More
A classic TRC catch-up episode! ketchup theft confessions, weird words we can't stand, gym guy etiquette, and chicken chaos… plus proper Red Bull Hardline debrief, from track walk insights to standout riders. Oh, and we somehow ended up talking about yoghurt, cleaning TikTok, and spa days for bikes. We LOVE doing these types of episodes! Episode Sponsors:- - Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals &
Ed Masters on the Spirit of Enduro, the Psychology of Racing & His Wild Hardline Pitch
We sat down in the heat of Hardline week with the one and only Ed Masters for a raw, hilarious, and surprisingly honest catch up. From the state of Enduro and why it lost (and is now regaining) its "spirit," to juggling downhill World Cups with injuries. Ed talks about how to get back into the "red zone" after setbacks, wild Hardline predictions, his genius pitch to open the event up to the public
Josh Bryceland on Why He Really Came Back to Racing, MTB Philosophy & the State of Downhill
Josh "Ratboy" Bryceland joins us at the Red Bull studio at Hardline! In this episode, Josh opens up about his unique approach to racing and fatherhood, freeriding, organising events, and his not so serious attempt at farming (despite owning all the gear and growing nothing). We dive into what it's really like to ride Hardline, how he manages his mindset to avoid the dreaded "red zone," and why he
Wyn Masters Talks Shifting Focus, Secret Elite DH Performance Hacks, E-Bikes & Wyn TV's future
Wyn Masters joins the show to talk about his move to Focus Bikes, how he's "shifting focus" after 17 years on the World Cup circuit, and why cooking lunch with your bike brand might be the ultimate vibe check. We dive deep into Wind TV's evolution, e-bike warm-up secrets, caffeine-fueled race prep, Jackson Goldstone's unconventional setup, and the psychology of qualifying. Plus, Wyn shares behind-
Brendan Fairclough's WILD top to bottom at Hardline 2025 (full story)
Brendan Fairclough had a crazy start to Red Bull Hardline 2025 and after missing two days of practice showed up and did a first run top to bottom towed by Kaos Seagrave. This is the full story of one of the wildest and most impressive Red Bull Hardline runs of all time... Everything you need to know about Red Bull Hardline 2025 here https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/events/red-bull-hardline-uk-2025/
Eliot Jackson's Red Bull Hardline insights, predictions and more...
We sat down with Eliot Jackson to chat about what's to come in the next few days including Berndard Kerr's secret line, predictions, course changes and more... Everything you need to know about Red Bull Hardline 2025 here https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/events/red-bull-hardline-uk-2025/ Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk Get early
Red Bull Hardline 2025 preview & our BIG news!
Red Bull Hardline 2025 is just around the corner and we're finally heading to Wales to be there in person and bring behind the scenes (back door?) content! In this episode, we run through the rider list, speculate on who's racing (and who might not be), and try to figure out whether Jackson Goldstone will show up or sit it out to protect the World Cup overall. We talk track changes, legendary mo
Iago Garay: The Real State of Enduro, Life Threatening Scares & Why He Rides With Gratitude
What does it take to race almost every Enduro World Series round since 2013, survive a life threatening brain aneurysm and then keep racing? In this episode of The Ride Companion we sat down with Iago Garay to hear about his journey from early Mega Avalanche races to the modern EDR World Cup. We cover everything from how Enduro racing has evolved, the training demands, nutrition, memorising track
Ella Conolly: From XC Burnout to 2025 EDR World Cup Champion!
What does it take to become the 2025 Enduro World Cup overall champion... without a factory team and without ever planning to go pro? In this episode, we sit down with Ella Conolly, the 2025 EDR World Cup overall winner, to hear about her incredible journey. Ella opens up about growing up in Inverness and leaving British Cycling's Olympic program, to discovering enduro (thanks to a knock on the d
The 200th Episode From A Mountain Lodge! (Listener Questions Special)
Massive thanks to YOU for helping us get to 200 episodes of The Ride Companion! In this episode Olly and Davi sit down in a Welsh mountain lodge for a general catch up and to answer your listener questions. In this episode Olly and Davi dive into the origins of the podcast, Olly's epic Bikepark Wales challenge, Travis Pastrana ghosting Davi, Robot Wars, Deaks' weird feet, bucket list guests, favo
Alan Milway: Inside the Systems, Stress & Success of Norco Factory Racing
What does it really take to manage a World Cup downhill team in 2025? In this episode, Alan Milway, team manager of Norco Factory Racing and long-time performance coach joins Olly and Davi to unpack the chaos, structure, and behind-the-scenes secrets of running a top-tier MTB team. We dive into the logistics of back to back race weekends, what it's like managing huge personalities like Danny Hart
Tom Fuller on Painting Helmets for Red Bull, Monster & Why He'll Never Stop
Tom Fuller is the co-founder of Image Design Custom and, the man behind the paint on some of the most iconic helmets in two-wheel sports. From Red Bull Rampage and the UCI World Cup, to motocross legends and movie stars like Tom Cruise and Henry Cavill, his work has quietly shaped the visual identity of action sports for decades. In this episode, Tom joins us to share his journey from painting he
Kaos Seagrave: Quitting World Cup Downhill, Going Full Freeride, Growing Up in FMD Racing & More
Kaos Seagrave joins Olly and Davi for one of the rawest and most inspiring episodes of The Ride Companion yet. From racing World Cups as a junior to flipping 90-foot jumps at Darkfest, Kaos opens up about the exact moment he walked away from downhill racing, the mental battles behind the scenes, and what it really takes to go full freeride. He shares what it was like growing up alongside his sis
Why Rob Warner Opened Up on The Ride Companion (Olly Wilkins x Just Ride Teaser)
In this honest and emotional clip from the Red Bull Just Ride podcast, Rob Warner shares why The Ride Companion was the place he chose to open up about his autism diagnosis for the first time. He reflects on the powerful moment he called Olly and said, "I need to do it, mate — I'm going to lay it all out there." That episode became a major turning point, not just for Rob, but for listeners who res
