The Ride Companion

Latest Episodes:

Dan Milner on Wild Adventure MTB Photography (North Korea, Afghanistan & More) Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

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-flops, why real risk changes as you age, the strange normality of Pyongyang, bivvying through a typhoon with minders in polythene raincoats, and the wild beauty of Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor. Dan also opens up about leaving Chamonix after 24 years for a biodiversity project on the Isle of Skye, the demise of magazines versus short form content, mentoring the next generation, and where AI does (and doesn't) fit into adventure storytelling. We hope you enjoy the fascinating look into one of the world's most respected adventure photographers. The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales!

Episode Sponsors:- - WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com - Talk it out with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/ridecompanion - Want an easy way to tick your daily nutritional needs? Support the show and get 15% OFF HUEL products with code 'RIDE' at huel.com Unlock a healthier, easier way to eat with Huel — nutritionally complete meals in minutes, so you can focus on what really matters… biking. 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 - HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at huel.com/ - Hiplok: https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion - Play Fantasy Downhill at The Race Companion: theracecompanion.com instagram.com/theracecompanion - Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code 'theridecompanion' at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr

- Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs at athleticgreens.com/RIDECOMPANION - Compex: Get 20% off with code 'THERIDECOMPANION' at compex.com/uk/ - Worx: Get 15% off with code 'THERIDECOMPANION' at worx.com - LAKA: Get 30 days of FREE insurance with code 'RIDECOMPANION30' at laka.co - HKT Products: Use code 'PODCAST' for 10% off the entire site.

Follow Olly Wilkins Instagram @odub_23 YouTube @owilkins23 The Ride Companion Instagram @theridecompanion YouTube @TheRideCompanion 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 #TheRideCompanion #mountainbiking #mtbpodcast

Anton Thelander: From Slopestyle Phenom to Burnout & Finding the Love Again Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

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 years. Anton opens up about depression, losing contracts, moving back home, and how he started rebuilding with therapy, movement, a new toolbox for his mind, and finally rediscovering riding during covid. Anton also talks about being back involved in slopestyle with a healthier relationship to the bike and a new purpose as a judge. He shares what judging actually looks like (the silhouette rule), why the trick economy is like learning Excel plus much more... The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales!

Episode Sponsors:- - WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com - Hiplok → Head on over to http://hiplok.com/trc to claim your exclusive offer and keep YOUR bikes YOURS. - Pedros Tools → These are the best tools folks, no question. You can check out their range of bike specific torque tools, multitools and more at https://apex-dst.uk and use code theridecompanion for 15% off everything on site! Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Brendan Fairclough Reveals His Gnarliest Build Ever + Rampage 2025 Predictions Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

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 budget in the Surrey Hills. The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales!

Episode Sponsors:- - Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - Troy Lee Designs brand new stage pro knee guards are now live. Learn more at https://troyleedesigns.com - It's winter/night riding time! Check out the brand new Six Pack 15 handlebar light & Zenith 4 helmet light at https://www.exposurelights.com Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Loam Hunting, Secret Tech & Olly's Surprising New Hobby Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

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 more. The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales!

Olly & Jono's Slovenia Holiday!

Episode Sponsors:- - Hiplok → Head on over to http://hiplok.com/trc to claim your exclusive offer and keep YOUR bikes YOURS. - Troy Lee Designs brand new stage pro knee guards are now live. Learn more at https://troyleedesigns.com - Want an easy way to tick your daily nutritional needs? Support the show and get 15% OFF HUEL products with code 'RIDE' at huel.com. Unlock a healthier, easier way to eat with Huel — nutritionally complete meals in minutes, so you can focus on what really matters… biking. Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Blake Samson Reveals Why He Really Left GMBN (and What's Next) Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

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 him into the fold, the story behind the legendary Bucket Bike, his approach to reaching audiences outside of MTB, and his surprising pick for the one bike he'd ride for life. And as one chapter ends, Blake teases the next: going all-in on his own channel with a mix of MTB, outdoor builds, Jeeps, 4x4 adventures, camping, motorbikes, fishing, and big adventures still to come.

The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales!

Olly & Jono's Slovenia Holiday! Subscribe to Blake's YouTube!

Episode Sponsors:- - Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - It's winter/night riding time! Check out the brand new Six Pack 15 handlebar light & Zenith 4 helmet light at https://www.exposurelights.com - Inside this episode you'll find a paid advertisement from our new friends at BetterHelp. Talk it out with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/ridecompanion Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

A podcast about anxiety and other things Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

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, music, books, podcasts and more. I don't find doing this easy AT ALL so, I hope you find some enjoyment from me putting myself through it! Resources mentioned:- The Anxiety Prescription (Russell Kennedy) The Anxious Generation (Jonathan Haidt)

Episode Sponsors:- - WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com - Inside this episode you'll find a paid advertisement from our new friends at BetterHelp. Talk it out with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/ridecompanion Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Honey, I Shrunk the Nuts! Listener Questions Special Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

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.invisiframe.co.uk - Inside this episode you'll find a paid advertisement from our new friends at BetterHelp. Talk it out with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/ridecompanion Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Our Weird Spa day, Icks, Gym Etiquette and More Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

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: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk - Do you get hangry? Want an easy way to tick your daily nutritional needs? Support the show and get 15% OFF HUEL products with code 'RIDE' at https://huel.com/ Unlock a healthier, easier way to eat with Huel—nutritionally complete meals in minutes, so you can focus on what really matters...biking. Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

Ed Masters on the Spirit of Enduro, the Psychology of Racing & His Wild Hardline Pitch Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

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...

Josh Bryceland on Why He Really Came Back to Racing, MTB Philosophy & the State of Downhill Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

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 racing even at the top level. He reflects on his time with the Santa Cruz Syndicate, how racing has changed over the years, and why he stepped away just as the sport was getting more clinical. Josh also shares how he helped create Bolly Skyline Enduro, a grassroots mountain bike event that brought his local community together in the best possible way. Inside this episode you'll find a paid advertisement from our new friends at BetterHelp. Talk it out with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/ridecompanion Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

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