The Ride Companion

The lads are feeling the impact of the desert. Olly's got dry mouth and the lads talk about shutting down a few features, rope access, tree house training, Bren wants 'to add some pepper' this year and loads more…   Let's keep the vibes high for Rampage and get behind team GB folks!  All VLOGS, PODCASTS and content can be found here: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/blogs/trc-news/team-gb-red-bull-r...

On this episode od Drivetime Brendog talks about where he's planning to go on the mountain and is it even possible to JUMP up onto the rock? Let's keep the vibes high for Rampage and get behind team GB folks!  All VLOGS, PODCASTS and content can be found here: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/blogs/trc-news/team-gb-red-bull-rampage-2024 Watch all episode on Drivetime on Olly's YouTube channel here:...

Join Olly, Bren and Deaks as they drive into the desert for Red Bull Rampage day one. During the drive the lads talk about Bren's obsessive lawn care, the Colorado terrain, missed flights from London, the Nissan truck, SAXX saving the day, Bren's new golden helmet and the healthinator reveals his health and nutricion secrets.  Let's keep the vibes high for Rampage and get behind team GB folks!  Al...

Brendan Fairclough, Olly Wilkins and Ben Deakin sit down to preview Red Bull Rampage 2024. On the episode the lads talk about their previous Rampage experiences and what they've been doing since last years event. Brendan talks about his first ever Rampage, how incredibly unprepared he was and why he really chooses Olly and Deaks each year to help dig his line. Brendan also shares what he'd look fo...

Davi and Olly sit down for the most random episode in a while! On this episode of The Ride Companion the lads talk about riding Olly's local trails, discuss the evolution of TRC from online to studio and the potential future of the podcast. The lads have some confessions, offend Oasis fans and discuss wether mountain biking is too expensive plus loads more... This episode's sponsors & News Everybo...

Manon Carpenter is BACK for part 2! On this episode Manon Carpenter talks about life after retiring from downhill racing. Manon talks about heading off to study geology at University and finding an interest in sustainability both on and off the trails. Manon shares information about why mountain biking was behind other outdoor sports in discussing climate change, how riders can be more responsible...

Former Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion Manon Carpenter joins the podcast! Manon Carpenter sits down with Olly and Davi for an in-depth conversation about her incredible racing career. Growing up in Wales, Manon reflects on her early years immersed in mountain biking, spurred on by her dad, Jason, who founded the Dragon Downhill Series. She shares memories of helping out at races and her jour...

Olly and Davi sit down for a catch up episode.  During the podcast Olly talks about getting sick (REALLY SICK), how 'we almost lost him. Davi shares to home renovation news and the lads discuss World Champs, Red Bull Rampage 2024, wholesome memories and announce the first episode of MTB Gogglebox.  Get notified to watch World Champs with us HERE.  We hope you enjoy this episode and are as excited...

Our first podcast from Nissan studios! Wyn Masters joins Olly and Davi for a quintessentially British al fresco podcast. In this episode, Wyn discusses how living in various countries has shaped his personality and his ongoing quest to find new riding companions. He also opens up about fatherhood, offering hilarious advice for new dads on time management, social media, and why he believes kids don...

Would downhill suit the Olympics or X-Games? Olly and Davi sit down for a good ol' catch up. During the episode the lads talk about attending Formula E in London, Davi's new coach, Olly riding a modern downhill bike for the very first time ever, stag doo's, Champéry downhill track and look at strange Olympic sports. The lads invent a new downhill event to potentially level the field and discuss we...

Olly and Davi are guests on their own podcast!? In this special episode of The Ride Companion, Andrew Neethling turns the tables on Davi and Olly to dive into the history of the podcast, from the random success of the Lockdown Companion series to its evolution into The Ride Companion. During the episode Olly and Davi discuss how they really first met over a common love of podcasts, why Davi pushed...

Kriss Kyle is in the studio! In this episode, Kriss Kyle joins Olly and Davi to talk about growing up in Stranraer, discovering BMX, and dropping out of school. Kriss opens up about leaving home to live inside a skatepark, signing with Nike, and buying a house with the first money he ever made. He also discusses signing with Red Bull and breaks down his most insane video projects, including Kaleid...

Ya boy BK is back in the studio!! In part one of this episode, Olly and Davi discuss recent news, trying to book Travis Pastrana, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In part two, Olly sits down with Bernard Kerr to recap his season so far and much more. Bernard shares insights from testing features at Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania and Wales, explains how Red Bull prioritizes athletes' best interes...

Mountain biking legend Andrew Neethling is in studio! Olly and Davi sit down with Andrew Neethling to talk about his recent Mega Avalanche experience, Amaury Pierron's insane comeback and the resurgence of Greg Minnaar. Andrew breaks down his LCQ idea which he thinks would make downhill racing more of a level playing field for riders along with talking about the venues that he'd love to see on the...

Jake100 is on The Ride Companion! On this episode Jake talks about growing up in East London and his incredible journey of transforming negatives into positives through cycling. During the podcast Jake also opens up about how his first wheelie bike sparked a passion that led to the creation of a sub-culture in urban cycling, the impact of social media in accelerating the Bike Life scene, performin...

Rowan Sorrell is the founder, director, and head of trails at Bike Park Wales. In this episode, we sit down with UK mountain biking legend Rowan Sorrell to discuss everything from the evolution of mountain bike trail centres to becoming a World Champion downhill racer. Rowan shares stories from his early years, racing downhill in the sport's early days, and how modern bikes have dramatically impro...

Olly and Davi sit down for a well overdue catchup. During the episode the lads discuss having loser vibes, all things Red Bull Hardline including the gap jump conspiracy, Ronan Dunne and Bernard Kerr's runs and more. The lads also talk about Poland and Leogang world cup races, Backyard Battle and lots more...   This episode's sponsors & News NEW MERCH! Get a limited edition TRC x TLD Long Sleeve h...

Joe Barnes is finally on The Ride Companion podcast! On this episode Joe sits down with Olly and Davi to discuss his new film, The Rare Folk. Joe also talks about growing up in Fort William, The Dudes Of Hazard, racing downhill, signing for Canyon, the spirit of enduro, Christmas number one attempts, what it's like to have a photographic memory, building rut tracks, fatherhood and much more...   T...

Luke Wallace is a former professional rugby player for the Harlequins. Olly and Davi sit down with Luke to accidentally announce his retirement from professional rugby. During the episode Luke delves into his journey turning professional, public school scholarships, winning the premiere league and playing in front of 80,000 fans, the unwritten rules of rugby, and overcoming injuries with rigorous...

What does it take to become a 4 time SuperEnduro world champion? Billy Bolt makes his first ever appearance on The Ride Companion to chat with Olly Wilkins about his journey to becoming a 4 time SuperEnduro world champion. During the episode Billy opens up about his upbringing in Newcastle, injuries, Red Bull Tyne Ride, signing for Factory Husqvarna, races he wants to win, 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, vl...

Rob Weaver has been a mountain bike journalist for over 18 years and has a deep expertise of bike testing and all things mountain bike tech. On this episode Rob talks about his path to working in the bike industry, what it takes to be an un-biased and thorough bike tester, milestones in bike design, the history of Mountain Biking UK and so much more....   This episode's sponsors & News We're about...

Theo Erlangsen could be the most positive person in mountain biking and, with very good reason. On this episode of The Ride Companion Theo Erlangsen joins Olly and Davi to talk about growing up in South Africa, discovering mountain biking and how DarkFest changed his entire career. Theo also talks about living in a van for most of the year, what it means to be a 'freeracer', the differences betwee...

Martin and Anna Astley are two of the founders of Bikepark Wales. On this episode of The Ride Companion Martin and Anna break down the incredible story behind the bike park. The couple open up about the initial idea, finding a location, financing, trail building, implementing processes and culture, finding staff and much more... There's also some breaking news regarding the future of the park! Thi...

The UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup Season kicks off this coming weekend in Fort William so, what better time to do some good ol' fashioned bench racing! During this episode of The Ride Companion Olly Wilkins and Davi share their opinions on the biggest team changes and news, discuss wether Brendan Fairclough has retired, share their fantasy downhill picks and debate pre race practice ethics....

Mountain biking legend Nigel Page is in The Ride Companion studio for part two of the podcast! On this episode Nigel Page opens up about his career changing injury, working with Chris Kovarik, what it was really like to commentate on Freecaster with Rob Warner, how team budgets are handled, signing Sam Hill to the Nukeproof Chain Reaction Cycles team, explains why the team switched to enduro and o...