The Ride Companion

Andrew Dodd on 20 Years in the Bike Industry: Truths, Reviews & The State of MTB

Andrew Dodd aka Doddy is the podcast! Doddy is a man who has lived through every era of mountain bike media, from the golden age of print magazines at MBUK to YouTube with Global Mountain Bike Network and now working inside the industry with Mondraker. We dive deep into the evolution of mountain biking, how bike media really works behind the scenes, and why the modern bike industry might be overcomplicating things. Doddy shares untold stories from his time testing thousands of bikes, what it was like reviewing products when magazines could make or break brands, and how the rise of YouTube, TikTok and influencers has completely changed the landscape. We also get into why modern bikes might be 'too much', the truth about bike reviews (then vs now), the explosion of content and how it affects riders, e-bikes, gravel bikes and industry trends, burnout from working in bike media, what actually makes mountain biking fun and much more. This is one of the most insightful conversations we've had about the bike industry — from someone who's seen it all, we hope you enjoy it! Episode Sponsors:- - Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk - WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com - Manta Sleep: Get 10% off with code theridecompanion at https://tinyurl.com/theridecompanion - Kecks → 10% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://kecks.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

Top Moment: Sam Reynolds on slopestyle's golden years

Listen or watch the full episode with Sam Reynolds Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon  Episode Sponsors:- - Stashed are offering TRC listeners and exclsuive 10% discount with code TRC10 at https://www.stashedproducts.com/trc - Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk - invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk  - Manta Sleep: Get 10% off with code theridecompanion at https://tinyurl.com/theridecompanion - Kecks → 10% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://kecks.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

Dom Ferris of Trash Free Trails on Trail Litter and How We Fix It

Dom Ferris, founder of Trash Free Trails joins The Ride Companion to talk about one of the biggest issues affecting every rider, runner and outdoor space user: single-use pollution on our trails. Dom explains how Trash Free Trails started, why trail litter is about far more than 'bad behaviour' and how mountain bikers can take real ownership of the places they ride. The conversation goes deep into MTB trail stewardship, nature connection, mental health, community action and the systems that keep single-use pollution showing up in the outdoors. We also dive into the data behind trail litter, the reality of what's being found on UK trails, why drinks cans, bottles, gels and food packaging are such a major problem along with how new legislation like a deposit return scheme could help change things. There's loads in here too on trail culture, bike park responsibility, how to make cleanups more positive, and why Dom believes outrage alone won't solve anything. If you care about mountain biking, trail building, riding spots, the outdoor community, litter picking, environmental action, access to nature and keeping trails clean, this is an episode you need to hear and share with your community. We hope you enjoy the episode! Learn more about Trash Free Trails and the Spring clean at trashfreetrails.org/ Episode Sponsors:- - 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. - Fan of quality tools and want to geek out? Feedback Sports is available from your local bike shop, online retailers such as Saddleback and Bike 24, plus directly from https://feedbacksports.com - WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.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

Top Moment: Brendan Fairclough on why Monster entered downhill

Listen or watch the full episode with Brendan Fairclough Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Ad Free on Patreon  Episode Sponsors:- - SRAM: https://www.sram.com/en/sram - 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. - Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk - Kecks → 10% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://kecks.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 #TheRideCompanion #mountainbiking #mtbpodcast

Olly is a Dad!!

In this episode of The Ride Companion, Olly opens up about becoming a Dad, the intense reality of birth, life in and out of hospital, sleep deprivation, and what the first days with baby Wilf have been like. During the episode the lads also talk about Davi's up-coming trip to Sea Otter, MTB's identity crisis, eat some weird snacks and share watching and listening recommendations. Episode Sponsors:- - Compex → Use the code 'THERIDECOMPANION' for 20% off all recovery products at https://www.compex.com/uk/ - SKS Germany → Learn more about SKS products at https://www.sks-germany.com/en/ Cadence → Cadence turns your phone or Apple Watch into a fully-featured bike computer, but with way more flexibility than most head units. You get unlimited custom screens, over 200 metrics, full Bluetooth sensor support, proper navigation, offline maps, structured training, and Strava Live Segments. Head to https://getcadence.app/trc Try it for a month for FREE and see if it replaces your bike computer! - Kecks → 10% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://kecks.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