The Ride Companion

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 wit...

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 & m...

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 "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 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 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/ I...

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 acces...

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 mome...

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 tracks...

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 do...

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, favou...

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 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 hel...

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 sist...

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...

DJ Zesty (Andy Lehmann) is in studio! Olly and Davi sit down with DJ Zesty to hear how a jump bike and a patch of woods in Swinley led him to building world class freeride courses in Queenstown. Andy shares his journey through the UK trails scene, competing in Dirt Wars, digging for Natural Selection, living out of a van, surviving medical trials to fund trips and now, signing to the DMR Pro Team...

Ben Smith is the co-founder of HipLok. Ben joins Olly & Davi in studio for a deep-dive into his journey from working at Troy Lee Designs in California to launching one of the most innovative bike security brands in the world. During the episode Ben opens up about how the idea for HipLok was born, the early struggles of building a brand from scratch, the reality of product development and manufactu...

This episode has serious old school TRC vibes! In this episode of The Ride Companion, Olly and Davi discuss everything you need to know heading into the 2025 downhill World Cup season. Including team moves, breakout picks, fantasy tips, and some insights from the inside. We also announce ourselves as the unofficial World Cup podium sponsor... we're Increasing World Cup Prize Money by 30% by giving...

Roger Vieira is in studio to share his incredible story! In this episode of The Ride Companion, Roger joins us in the studio to talk about his journey from growing up in Brazil to chasing the World Cup Downhill dream as a full on privateer. He opens up about the financial realities of racing, why his first ever World Cup at Fort William lead him to take a year off, and whether it's even possible t...

Sam Reynolds is back in studio for a full DarkFest 2025 debrief! Sam shares behind the scenes stories about building the biggest freeride course on the planet, like the massive new Quarterpipe and the mind blowing progression of riders from this years event. We also talk about why DarkFest is the ultimate mountain bike safe space, how it stays true to the roots of freeride, what it's like coming h...

On this episode of The Ride Companion, Davi talks about his recent Trans Pennine Trail adventure. He shares what it's really like riding across the UK, the accidental insane setup, the kit he took, and advice for anyone wanting to attempt the ride. The lads also chat about Katy Perry going to space, being featured by Red Bull, Olly riding the new BikePark Wales trail with Rob Warner, Tai Woffinden...

It's a full house in the new studio! Jono Jones and Ben Deakin join Olly and Davi after a long day of filming the new Melon Optics photochromic lens launch video. During the episode the lads talk about the hilarious days filming at Rogate Bike Park, Jono talks about racing the Red Bull Cero Abajo in Mexico, his boxing career, quitting banking to help build the Mavrix video game with brother Matt J...

We're back...and in a brand new studio! (building site) Olly and Davi sit down for a long overdue catch up. Olly shares stories from his Red Bull Cerro Abajo Guanajuato street race build trip, trail adventures in Madeira, and the shock of receiving a ridiculous water bill while he was away. The lads also chat about the new studio space, ancient pyramids, the Telepathy Tapes, Davi's holiday, saving...

Hang out with Davi live on YouTube to discuss downhill broadcast changes, AI, DarkFest and much more... - Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RIDECOMPANION at https://www.oneskin.co/ - Do you get hangry? Want an easy way to tick your daily nutritional needs? Support the show and get 15% OFF HUEL products with code 'RIDE' at huel.com/ Unlock a healthier, easier way to eat with Huel—nutritionally comp...

In this episode Olly sits down with John Fernandes, co-founder of Freeride Madeira. John takes us through the wild journey of turning a passion for trail building into a global MTB hotspot, hosting the Enduro World Series, Trans Madeira, and welcoming some of the biggest names in the sport. The lads discuss how Jacob Gibbins' iconic photos and Brendan Fairclough's first visit helped put Madeira on...