The Ride Companion
The mountain bike podcast that sometimes forgets to talk about mountain bikes... Hosted by Olly Wilkins and Davi Birks #theridecompanion
Episodes
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, smuggling bikes onto gondolas in flip-flo...
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 Bull helmet reveal and the tough yea...
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 viral freeride line on a shoestring...
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, answer your listener questions and much ...
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 also shares how Martin Ashton brought...
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 Tyne Ride, fitness/bodybuilding, m...
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 with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www...
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 & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: http...
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 and much more...
Episode Sponsors:...
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 never took a serious approach to r...
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-the-scenes stories from the private...
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/
Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decal...
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 access & ad-free episodes → https:/...
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 moments, and which riders have someth...
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 and Iago’s near death brain aneur...
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 door from Tracy Moseley) and going a...
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, favourite crisps and Freedom Ride.
Aga...
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 and Greg Minnaar, and the setup mi...
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 helmets in his dad’s garage as a teen...
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 sister Tahnee, how their family built ...
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