Ben Plenge Opens Up About War, MTB Training and Mental Resilience

Ben Plenge is in studio for a hard hitting banger of a podcast!

On this episode of The Ride Companion Ben Plenge opens up about his past in the British Army, sharing intense war stories from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the Battle of Danny Boy, one of the most brutal British military engagements in recent history and the war crimes inquiry that followed years later.

Beyond his military past, Ben breaks down the biggest myths in MTB training, explaining why most riders are training wrong and how certain high-intensity workouts could be doing more harm than good. He shares practical advice on recovery, cold plunges, and why focusing on the “other 23 hours” of your day matters more than you think. If you’re preparing for a multi-day MTB event, Ben reveals the most common mistake that wrecks riders before they even start, outlines the three essential pieces of equipment for building the perfect MTB gym and much more...

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30% OFF The Over 40s MTB Programme. This is for busy mid life riders who are getting back into fitness or training. Gym or home training options. One time purchase. thestrengthfactory.uk/over-40s-programme/

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BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors:

• Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RIDECOMPANION at oneskin.co/
  
  
• With all these pro rider insights you're going to want to recover like a pro too! Get 20% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at https://www.compex.com/uk/

 

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