The Ride Companion

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, Dan Paley's commentary, Sam Pilgrim blowing minds, Harry Gascoigne's style, brutal weather, hailstorms and why live event commentary is WAY harder than it looks.

Olly then shares more from his bucket list trip to Japan, riding e-bikes in search of perfect loam, travelling through Tokyo with bike bags, experiencing Japanese culture, discovering sumo wrestling, eating convenience store food and preparing for the premiere of the Japan MTB film.

The boys also dive into the latest UCI Downhill World Cup action, including Luca Shaw finally taking his first World Cup win and discuss whether downhill racing is better when the riders are separated by huge margins or tiny fractions of a second. Plus, the lads discuss the controversial Enhanced Games, whether performance-enhancing drugs really unlock superhuman performances, Japanese Kit Kats, mochi balls, listener questions and whether mountain biking could one day become augmented reality.

Episode Sponsors:-

- WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com

- Feedback Sports: https://feedbacksports.com
Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

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 terrain are so good, the famous "halfpipe"/bobsleigh-style trails, Japanese trail culture, secret riding spots, trail access, language barriers, moving to Japan, and why Minakami might be one of mountain biking's best kept secrets.

Find out more about Nathan and MTBJapan: mtbjapan.com
Episode Sponsors:-

- Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

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 the plans behind his upcoming Japan trip, why he's obsessed with hunting perfect loam and why Japan might be one of the dream mountain bike destinations he's been thinking about for years.
There's also a deep dive into the madness of building and testing an urban downhill/freeride course in Mexico, including extreme heat, huge crowds, cartel helicopters, Slavic's wild crash, judging freeride runs, Sam Pilgrim, Bienve Aguado, Nikolai Rogatkin, Wes Sends and the future of young MTB talent. Plus, the lads discuss Sea Otter, Marin Bikes, the birthplace of mountain biking, baseball caps, riding shorts, job satisfaction, street racing and loads more...
Episode Sponsors:-

- WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com

- RX Sport: RX Sport are your one stop eyewear shop. From prescription sunglasses, to riding glasses and everything in-between. Use code TRC at https://www.rxsport.co.uk for a deal on Pit Viper products!
- Feedback Sports: https://feedbacksports.com
Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

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 dives into the history of Marin County as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, the origins of Marin's 'Made For Fun' ethos, how a mountain bike goes from idea to production and why developing an e-bike is far more complicated than simply adding a motor and battery.

Cippy also gives an honest take on the current e-bike power arms race, why Marin isn't rushing to chase huge motor numbers, what brands should really be focusing on and how ride quality still matters more than spec-sheet bragging rights. We also get into 32" wheels, XC's comeback, the future of analogue mountain bikes, the new Marin TAM, the development of the Alpine Trail E, why Marin looks to moto for certain design ideas, and what kind of rider feedback is actually useful when creating a new bike. Enjoy this deep dive into Marin Bikes, product development, mountain bike history and the future of MTB!

Episode Sponsors:-

- WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com

- Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at https://www.themudhugger.co.uk

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

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, Lucid and helping support the next generation of riders.

Janelle Soukup talks through her rapid rise into freeride mountain biking, from selling her ATV to buy her first mountain bike, discovering events like Hannah Bergemann's Hangtime, earning a place at Natural Selection, becoming Whip-Off World Champion and receiving the invite to Red Bull Rampage.

Together, Martha and Janelle discuss the pressure of Rampage, fear, progression, sponsorship, the state of women's mountain biking, the importance of opportunity and why the next generation of female riders is pushing the sport further than ever before. This is a proper insight into two women helping shape the future of mountain biking... Of course, BIG thanks to the Marin Bikes team for helping make this episode happen!

Episode Sponsors:-

- Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at https://www.themudhugger.co.uk

- LAKA Insurance: Don't risk it, head to https://laka.co/trc to learn more and get 30 days FREE cover on us!

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House