The Ride Companion

Latest Episodes:

Why Rob Warner Opened Up on The Ride Companion (Olly Wilkins x Just Ride Teaser) Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

In this honest and emotional clip from the Red Bull Just Ride podcast, Rob Warner shares why The Ride Companion was the place he chose to open up about his autism diagnosis for the first time. He reflects on the powerful moment he called Olly and said, "I need to do it, mate — I'm going to lay it all out there." That episode became a major turning point, not just for Rob, but for listeners who resonated with his story. What started as a casual lockdown podcast became a safe space for real talk, deep connection, and conversations that genuinely matter.

Watch Olly Wilkins on Just Ride here: https://youtu.be/58WH7VjSU0c?si=ak5czCsvLtmuX9VF Listen to Just Ride here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5U4Ke8BkUH9zEg95RVH4EX?si=a4bebba4c6a244e3

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 - Nissan Vans: nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/primastar.html - 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

The DJ Zesty story: Medical trials, UK dirt jumping and new sponsors! May 28, 2025

Show notes

DJ Zesty (Andy Lehmann) is in studio! Olly and Davi sit down with DJ Zesty to hear how a jump bike and a patch of woods in Swinley led him to building world class freeride courses in Queenstown. Andy shares his journey through the UK trails scene, competing in Dirt Wars, digging for Natural Selection, living out of a van, surviving medical trials to fund trips and now, signing to the DMR Pro Team with support from YT Industries. BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - 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. - Melon's Kingpin, Alleycat and Alleycat S riding glasses are now available with Vantage photochromic lenses. Use code THERIDECOMPANION at melonoptics.com to get a FREE lens cleaning kit + a low light lens with your order! (trail enhancing tints) - Health is wealth folks so why not get optimised, cover your nutritional bases and probably ride better with AG1. Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D + 5 FREE travel packs at https://drinkag1.com/RIDECOMPANION

Ben Smith: From Troy Lee Intern to HipLok Founder, Building a Global Brand from Scratch May 21, 2025

Show notes

Ben Smith is the co-founder of HipLok. Ben joins Olly & Davi in studio for a deep-dive into his journey from working at Troy Lee Designs in California to launching one of the most innovative bike security brands in the world. During the episode Ben opens up about how the idea for HipLok was born, the early struggles of building a brand from scratch, the reality of product development and manufacturing, and how global trade issues like tariffs and certification standards are affecting the industry. Ben also shares what it was like designing gear during the golden era of MTB at TLD, why bike theft is on the rise, and how HipLok's anti-angle grinder tech is pushing the boundaries of what's possible and much more... Use code THERIDECOMPANION20 at hiplok.com/the-ride-companion for 20% off! BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - Get 30 days of free cover on us when you sign-up to Laka with code RIDECOMPANION30 at https://my.laka.co/the-ride-companion. T&Cs Apply. - Melon's Kingpin, Alleycat and Alleycat S riding glasses are now available with Vantage photochromic lenses. Use code THERIDECOMPANION at melonoptics.com to get a FREE lens cleaning kit + a low light lens with your order! (trail enhancing tints) - Health is wealth folks so why not get optimised, cover your nutritional bases and probably ride better with AG1. Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D + 5 FREE travel packs at https://drinkag1.com/RIDECOMPANION

We're Increasing Downhill World Cup Prize Money by 30% May 14, 2025

Show notes

This episode has serious old school TRC vibes! In this episode of The Ride Companion, Olly and Davi discuss everything you need to know heading into the 2025 downhill World Cup season. Including team moves, breakout picks, fantasy tips, and some insights from the inside. We also announce ourselves as the unofficial World Cup podium sponsor... we're Increasing World Cup Prize Money by 30% by giving an extra £1,000 to any rider who shouts out The Ride Companion on the podium... will anybody do it? During the episode we also discuss Bernard Kerr's pre-season crash and what it means for his year, why have Gates offered up the $100,000 prize?, Our top fantasy MTB picks for round one, Rachel Atherton rumours, finding passions, Olly's Slovenia trip, is MTB too expensive and loads more! Don't forget https://www.theracecompanion.com is now live! You can sign up and play for FREE to win epic prizes, create leagues with your mates and take your downhill fandom to the next level! BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - Get 30 days of free cover on us when you sign-up to Laka with code RIDECOMPANION30 at https://my.laka.co/the-ride-companion. T&Cs Apply. - Everybody needs a WORX Hydroshot and some power tools, right? Get 15% off all WORX tools at uk.worx.com when you use code THERIDECOMPANION - Health is wealth folks so why not get optimised, cover your nutritional bases and probably ride better with AG1. Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D + 5 FREE travel packs at https://drinkag1.com/RIDECOMPANION

Roger Vieira: A true privateer World Cup downhill story, NEVER giving up. May 07, 2025

Show notes

Roger Vieira is in studio to share his incredible story! In this episode of The Ride Companion, Roger joins us in the studio to talk about his journey from growing up in Brazil to chasing the World Cup Downhill dream as a full on privateer. He opens up about the financial realities of racing, why his first ever World Cup at Fort William lead him to take a year off, and whether it's even possible to compete as a privateer after the recent changes. We also dive into Roger's new found success on the Red Bull Cerro Abajo circuit, what it takes to go fast on an urban race course, his bike setup secrets, what the future looks like for the wildest series in MTB, Red Bull Hardline and much more... If you weren't a Roger Vieira fan before watching this podcast then we're sure you will be by the end! Don't forget https://www.theracecompanion.com is now live! You can sign up and play for FREE to win epic prizes, create leagues with your mates and take your downhill fandom to the next level! BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - HipLok: Get 20% off the entire store with code THERIDECOMPANION20 at hiplok.com/the-ride-companion (Offer excludes DX1000 D lock and AX1000, A1000 anchors) - Everybody needs a WORX Hydroshot and some power tools, right? Get 15% off all WORX tools at uk.worx.com when you use code THERIDECOMPANION - 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 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.

Sam Reynolds: DarkFest 2025 Debrief & Building MTB's Ultimate Safe Space Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Sam Reynolds is back in studio for a full DarkFest 2025 debrief! Sam shares behind the scenes stories about building the biggest freeride course on the planet, like the massive new Quarterpipe and the mind blowing progression of riders from this years event. We also talk about why DarkFest is the ultimate mountain bike safe space, how it stays true to the roots of freeride, what it's like coming home after a week of madness, the future of the event, the Nutty P tradition, unique bike set-ups and Sam also teases out the giant lake jump planned for 2026. BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - Get 30 days of free cover on us when you sign-up to Laka with code RIDECOMPANION30 at laka.co/the-ride-companion. T&Cs Apply. - Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RIDECOMPANION at www.oneskin.co/ - Melon's Kingpin, Alleycat and Alleycat S riding glasses are now available with Vantage photochromic lenses, featuring mirrored coatings and trail optimised tints. They automatically adjust to changing light, look insane, and mean you'll never need to swap lenses again. Use code THERIDECOMPANION at melonoptics.com to get a FREE lens cleaning kit + a low light lens with your pre-order before May 1st 2025!

Davi cycled across the UK, Red Bull Featured insanity, space travel & more... Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The Ride Companion, Davi talks about his recent Trans Pennine Trail adventure. He shares what it's really like riding across the UK, the accidental insane setup, the kit he took, and advice for anyone wanting to attempt the ride. The lads also chat about Katy Perry going to space, being featured by Red Bull, Olly riding the new BikePark Wales trail with Rob Warner, Tai Woffinden's crash, WrestleMania, 50 Shades of Clay, and loads more... BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - Hiplok Exclusive TRC Offer! Get a FREE Jaw+ compact bike rack & Z Lok security tie with any 1000 Series HipLok purchase (excl. BR1000 bracket). Simply use code THERIDECOMPANION at checkout at hiplok.com/the-ride-companion - Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RIDECOMPANION at www.oneskin.co/ - 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 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.

The Melon Mukbang with Jono Jones & Ben Deakin Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

It's a full house in the new studio! Jono Jones and Ben Deakin join Olly and Davi after a long day of filming the new Melon Optics photochromic lens launch video. During the episode the lads talk about the hilarious days filming at Rogate Bike Park, Jono talks about racing the Red Bull Cero Abajo in Mexico, his boxing career, quitting banking to help build the Mavrix video game with brother Matt Jones and Deaks shares his number one piece of advice after 460 races. There's also talk about Rob Warner's secret hair transplant, Domini's pizza, sea level and loads more... It's low energy episode due to the long day but we hope you enjoy the hang! BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - Hiplok Exclusive TRC Offer! Get a FREE Jaw+ compact bike rack & Z Lok security tie with any 1000 Series HipLok purchase (excl. BR1000 bracket). Simply use code THERIDECOMPANION at checkout at hiplok.com/the-ride-companion - LIMITED COMPEX OFFER! Get 20% off the Compex Ayre Boots and Fixx Mini with code TRC20 at compex.com/uk/ – available from March 15th to April 30th 2025 only. Recover faster. Ride more... - Melon's Kingpin and Alleycat riding glasses are now available with photochromic lenses featuring the Revo coating. They automatically adjust to changing light, look insane, and mean you'll never need to swap lenses again. Use code THERIDECOMPANION at melonoptics.com to get a FREE lens cleaning kit with your pre-order!

Our new studio, Olly's wild Mexico street race build and a £XXXX water bill Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

We're back...and in a brand new studio! (building site) Olly and Davi sit down for a long overdue catch up. Olly shares stories from his Red Bull Cerro Abajo Guanajuato street race build trip, trail adventures in Madeira, and the shock of receiving a ridiculous water bill while he was away. The lads also chat about the new studio space, ancient pyramids, the Telepathy Tapes, Davi's holiday, saving old people – and loads more... BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors: - Want to take your productivity up a couple of notches!? Magic Mind have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code RIDE20 at checkout. You can claim it at magicmind.com/ride20 - 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 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. - Hiplok Exclusive TRC Offer! Get a FREE Jaw+ compact bike rack & Z Lok security tie with any 1000 Series HipLok purchase (excl. BR1000 bracket). Simply use code THERIDECOMPANION at checkout at hiplok.com/the-ride-companion - Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RIDECOMPANION at oneskin.co/

MTB World News LIVE: Darkfest, Downhill Broadcast Discssion, Ai and More... Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Hang out with Davi live on YouTube to discuss downhill broadcast changes, AI, DarkFest and much more... - Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RIDECOMPANION at https://www.oneskin.co/ - 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 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.

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