The Ride Companion

Latest Episodes:

The Whistler Companion! Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

We're in Whistler courtesy of adidas bike. We sat down in a terrible podcast set-up to talk about our experience so far, riding the iconic trails, our track walk with Brendan Fairclough and Josh Hill and loads more! Get a deal on a GoPro Mission HERE and get 10% off with code THERIDECOMPANION Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion This episodes sponsors:- SKS Germany → Learn more about SKS products and the new shock pump at https://www.sks-germany.com/en/ - Get 15% off Invisiframe kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com/aff/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 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 https://uk.worx.com/aff/theridecompanion/ 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

Riders Are Destroying Their Own Bike Parks? Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Davi and Olly are back together to discuss the serious issues at S4P Bike Park, whether Red Bull Cerro Abajo could take mountain biking mega mainstream and their upcoming trip to Whistler for the UCI Downhill World Cup.

In this episode Olly explains what has been happening at S4P Bike Park, and why after years of personally investing time and money into the trails the is under serious threat of closure due to anti social behaviour. The lads also talk Red Bull Stuttgart Cerro Abajo. Olly shares what it took to build the urban downhill course, what it felt like to see the streets packed with spectators and why urban downhill could become mountain biking's answer to Supercross.

There's also a full preview of the upcoming Whistler trip, including Davi taking the cheapest Marin Alpine Trail to the world's most famous bike park, Olly travelling with an e-bike, the return of World Cup downhill to Whistler and the content they hope to create while they're there.

Let us know what you want to see from Whistler and nominate someone from your local riding community who deserves to be recognised as a TRC Igloo Trail Boss below! Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion This episodes sponsors:- SKS Germany → Learn more about SKS products and the new shock pump at https://www.sks-germany.com/en/ - Get 15% off Invisiframe kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com/aff/theridecompanion/

Roger Vieira on Factory Racing, Winning Cerro Abajo & Chasing a World Cup Podium Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Roger Vieira is back on The Ride Companion during the best season of his life... In this episode, Roger explains how Bernard Kerr's injury ultimately opened the door for him at Pivot, what life inside a factory downhill team is really like and whether factory support has actually made him faster or, simply given him the opportunity to show the speed he already had. Roger breaks down his first proper factory supported off-season, testing with FOX in California, riding in Queenstown, changing his approach to training and working with Bernard Kerr to improve some surprisingly specific weaknesses in his riding. We also get deep into the mental side of World Cup downhill racing. Roger explains the 'red zone vs blue zone' approach he's using with his mental coach, why World Cup qualifying creates so much pressure and what goes through his head in the seconds before leaving the start gate. Roger also explains why urban downhill brings out a completely different mentality in him, why he loves the Red Bull Cero Abajo series so much and the intricasies of downhill street racing. Once again, Roger delivers with great insights. We hope you enjoy the episode. Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion This episodes sponsors:- SKS Germany → Learn more about SKS products and the new shock pump at https://www.sks-germany.com/en/ - Get 15% off Invisiframe kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com/aff/theridecompanion/

Rachel Atherton's Most Honest Interview Yet Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Rachel Atherton is one of the greatest downhill mountain bike racers of all time. With 40 UCI Downhill World Cup victories, six overall titles, five elite World Championships and the only perfect World Cup season in history, Rachel achieved almost everything the sport could offer. In this deeply honest conversation with Davi and Olly, Rachel opens up about what happened when winning stopped defining her. Recorded at Dyfi Bike Park in Wales, Rachel discusses motherhood, suffering a serious postpartum haemorrhage during the birth of her second daughter and the difficult recovery that followed. She explains why she felt torn between motherhood and racing after having her first child, her experience of postpartum depression and why winning her 40th World Cup at Lenzerheide left her feeling unexpectedly empty. Rachel also reveals why she eventually stepped away from racing, how injury changed her priorities and why discovering a new purpose has sometimes felt harder than winning a World Cup. The conversation explores the loneliness and pressure of dominating downhill, how her relationship helped separate her identity from her results and the hidden workload that comes with being the fastest rider in the world. This is Rachel Atherton beyond the race results. We hope you enjoy the episode. Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion This episodes sponsors:- It's ALMOST winter/night riding time! Check out the brand new Six Pack 15 handlebar light & Zenith 4 helmet light at https://www.exposurelights.com - Get 15% off Invisiframe kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at https://www.outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees!

TOP MOMENT: Brendog got smoked by Amaury Pierron! Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Listen or watch the full episode with Brendan Fairclough below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon

Episode Sponsors:- Check out Brendan & Co's new business at https://riderovika.com and enter the code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off the entire site!

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

TOP MOMENT: World Cup Downhill Is a Cruel Sport With Jenna Hastings Aug 30, 2026

Show notes

Listen or watch the full episode with Jenna Hastings below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon

Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees!

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

Tailgatin' with Bernard Kerr Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Tailgatin' with Bernard Kerr, a special episode of The Ride Companion presented by Igloo! We travelled to Pivot Factory Racing HQ in Wales to catch up with Bernard and do some talkgatin' across his incredible and very unique car collection. Bernard shares a brutally honest assessment of his 2026 downhill season, opens up about breaking his kneecap at Lenzerheide and reveals his plan to return for Whistler, Lake Placid and Red Bull Hardline in Vancouver. We also discuss the sacrifices required to become an elite downhill racer, why Bernard moved his entire life to Wales, the increasing pressure of managing a World Cup team and how he identified riders including Roger Vieira, Jenna Hastings and Dylan Maples plus much more... To enter our Igloo Playmate giveaway, comment over on YouTube what you would keep inside yours. Bernard will choose five winners a week after the episode has been live! Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Brendan Fairclough Reveals New Business, the Legends Returning to Les Gets and Rampage Advice Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Brendan Fairclough is back on The Ride Companion to reveal his new business, ROVIKA! Recorded inside the ROVIKA warehouse, Brendog and Olly Wilkins also look ahead to Les Gets, where Brendan is joining downhill legends Sam Hill and Steve Peat for a special Monster Energy course preview. Brendan also shares what it's really like trying to follow Amaury Pierron at race pace, why World Cup qualifying can be more exciting than the finals and what makes the atmosphere at Les Gets unlike anywhere else in mountain biking. The lads also chat filming with Nino Schurter in Lenzerheide, the future of Roaming on 2 Wheels, plans involving Peter Sagan, Kade Edwards' first Red Bull Rampage and Brendan's three biggest pieces of advice for a Rampage rookie. Plus, Brendan discusses Whistler, Red Bull Hardline and why his new ROVIKA venture is designed to work with local bike shops rather than compete against them. Check out Brendan & Co's new business at https://riderovika.com and enter the code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off the entire site! Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Jenna Hastings Gets Honest About Life as a World Cup Racer Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Jenna Hastings joins The Ride Companion for an incredibly honest and hilarious conversation about life as a professional World Cup Racer. The Pivot Factory Racing rider and 2022 Junior Downhill World Champion opens up about the pressure of qualifying, questioning whether she can still ride a bike during World Cup practice and crying between Q1 and Q2 before fighting back to finish fifth in Andorra. Jenna explains why winning at Crankworx hasn't automatically translated into World Cup success, what separates the fastest women in downhill and why making a final can still feel like winning. She also reveals that she sometimes vomits inside her helmet! Away from racing, Jenna talks about growing up riding BMX in Rotorua, leaving school at 17 to pursue her dream, travelling overseas with Eddie Masters and joining Bernard Kerr's Pivot Factory Racing programme. She also shares what it's like living in a renovated caravan in Wales, chasing summers and building a future beyond professional racing. This is a real look inside the life and mind of one of the World's fastest bike racers. We hope you enjoy it and don't forget to leave a like and comment. Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

TOP MOMENT: The Reality of Being a Pro Rider with Sam Hockenhull Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Listen or watch the full episode with Sam Hockenhull below. Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon

Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees!

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

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