The Ride Companion

Do you REALLY need to keep getting better at riding? Davi and Olly tackle your listener questions from Dyfi Bike Park.

After recording with Gee Atherton and photographer Dan Griffiths, we stayed behind for a conversation about MTB progression, getting older on a bike, fear of crashing and the future of enduro racing. Olly apparently completes mountain biking, Davi explains why racing the pro category backfired and, we discuss why the way most of us ride our bikes has been so difficult to turn into a spectator sport.

Things also get deep as we talk about the pressure to keep chasing the next thing, struggling to switch off from work, how fatherhood changes your priorities and why returning to your favourite hobby doesn't always recreate the feeling you remember.

Also we chat dream mountain bike road trips, helping your local trail builders, our new studio and a potentially questionable plan for the TRC Christmas Ride raffle. We were also both sick, it was freezing cold and we were losing light... ENJOY!

Join us for the TRC Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales on 12 December!
See Davi at Kendal Mountain Festival

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

This episodes sponsors:

- Housecall Pro → Save time and win more jobs! For a limited time only, our listeners get 50% OFF base plans for their first 3 months when you head to https://www.housecallpro.com/RIDE

- CarGurus → Don't get ripped off while searching for a new car or van. Check out https://www.cargurus.co.uk and take advantage of all their amazing features to make car buying simple.

 
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

Davi and Olly are back for a long overdue catch up! On this episode the lads chat about their Whistler trip, Red Bull Rampage and Red Bull Hardline.

Plus, we're getting closer to our new studio, TRC has won BikeBiz Cycling Media of the Year, and Olly has some strong opinions about perfume adverts. A massive thank you to everyone who watches, listens and supports the show. This award belongs to the companionship too!

Join us for the TRC Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales on 12 December!
See Davi at Kendal Mountain Festival

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

This episodes sponsors:

- GoPro → Save 10% on all GoPro cameras with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://prf.hn/l/EJdbMxV/

- CarGurus → Don't get ripped off while searching for a new car or van. Check out https://www.cargurus.co.uk and take advantage of all their amazing features to make car buying simple.

- Feedback Sports → https://feedbacksports.com 
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

Rémy Métailler joins Davi and Olly in Whistler to tell the story of how an unknown bike fan from France built one of the most successful careers in mountain biking.

Rémy explains how a one year working holiday in Canada turned into a completely new life, how riding Whistler's secret gaps first got him noticed and why he never originally believed he was good enough to become a professional rider. Rémy shares his remarkably calculated approach to risk, the reality behind his most dangerous viral clips, why he walked away from racing and how he balances progression against the consequences of getting injured.

Rémy also opens up about the business behind being a professional mountain biker, his fear that the career could disappear, working with sponsors, creating content and the surprising amount of time he spends away from the bike.

Plus, Rémy shares his best GoPro and POV filming advice, reveals why he considers himself terrible with technology and explains why beating Jackson Goldstone on a dirt bike feels so satisfying. Enjoy folks!

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

This episodes sponsors:

- GoPro → Save 10% on all GoPro cameras with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://prf.hn/l/EJdbMxV/

- Housecall Pro → Save time and win more jobs! For a limited time only, our listeners get 50% OFF base plans for their first 3 months when you head to https://www.housecallpro.com/RIDE 

- Exposure Lights → 10% off all 'off road' lights with code EEXP@THERIDECOMPANION! at https://exposurelights.com
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

What's really happening with adidas Bike and Five Ten? Senior Global Product Manager Luke Hontz joins Davi and Olly to explain the new adidas mountain bike shoe range, the arrival of the three stripes and the thinking behind Five Ten's next chapter.

Luke shares how Greg Minnaar spotted a 1mm difference in an earlier Hellcat shoe that the factory initially disputed, why Dakotah Norton breaks supposedly unbreakable shoes and how feedback from riders including Danny MacAskill and Brendan Fairclough helps shape the finished product.

We also explore flat pedal versus clipless shoe design, Stealth rubber, BOA protection, toe impact protection and why muddy shoes changed the way Luke approached development. Along the way, Luke tells the story of his journey from BMX racing and working in bike shops to landing a dream job at Five Ten and adidas.

The new adidas bike range includes the Freerider, Freerider Pro, Freerider Pro BOA and the first-ever Freerider Pro BOA Clipless, with consumer availability scheduled for March 2027. You can keep up to date here https://www.adidas.co.uk/cycling

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

This episodes sponsors:

- GoPro → Save 10% on all GoPro cameras with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://prf.hn/l/EJdbMxV/
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

The first ever Red Bull Rampage winner, Wade Simmons, joins Davi and Olly to talk Rampage history, judging and the future of freeride mountain biking.

As Red Bull Rampage returns to its original venue for its 25-year anniversary, Wade takes us back to 2001 when nobody knew what the event would become, preparation meant pulling weeds, and he even crashed in his winning run!? The Godfather of Freeride shares his perspective on Rampage judging, why originality matters, and how to weigh huge tricks against steep, technical lines.

We discuss Brendan Fairclough and Gee Atherton's riding, the risks of pushing progression, and what the next generation brings to the mountain. Plus, the story behind Wade's iconic Marzocchi truck gap, his decades with Rocky Mountain Bikes, the challenges facing the bike industry, starting Godfather's Garage, and whether professional mountain bikers now have to be content creators.

We hope you enjoy this episode with one of the true legends of the sport.
All the info and how to watch Red Bull Rampage 2026 here: https://www.redbull.com/int-en/events/red-bull-rampage

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

This episodes sponsors:
- Exposure Lights → 10% off all 'off road' lights with code EXP@THERIDECOMPANION! https://exposurelights.com

- GoPro → Save 10% on all GoPro cameras with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://prf.hn/l/EJdbMxV/

- Get 15% off Invisiframe kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk

- Feedback Sports: https://feedbacksports.com
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