The Ride Companion

The first Ride Companion catch up of 2026… and we're straight back into it!

We kick things off talking winter illnesses, whether 'man flu' is actually a thing, and why the placebo effect might be more powerful than people think, along with a few honest Christmas confessions (including why we're both useless at gifts). Lunch & Learn is back and we look at motorway lane rules what the rules actually say. We also cover winning Pinkbike Comment of the Year, New Year goal setting vs streak culture, Davi's newest hobby obsession, the idea of finally doing our bike test, and a huge 2026 partnership announcement for the podcast.


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.

- 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 turn-by-turn 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!

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

Matt Jones and Jono Jones join The Ride Companion to break down MAVRIX ahead of console release on January 22nd.

During this episode Matt and Jono give Davi and Olly a tour of the virtual world they've help create, the boys explain how it was built, what makes it feel so real and why it could bring a whole new wave of riders into mountain biking. Matt and Jono also share the future plans for the game, the intricacies of real world physics, the secret challenges Matt has never talked about and much more!

Learn more about MAVRIX here: https://mavrix.game


Episode Sponsors:-

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

- Live Better Longer and kick 2026 off the right way! BUBS is running a HUGE New Year New You sale PLUS for a limited time only, our listeners are getting 20% OFF at BUBS Naturals by using code RIDE at checkout. https://www.bubsnaturals.com

- Manta Sleep: Get 10% off with code theridecompanion at https://tinyurl.com/theridecompanion

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

Blake Samson (aka Zimblake) is back on The Ride Companion to talk about what happens after you take the leap.

In this episode, Blake breaks down launching his new YouTube channel, building his first major project from scratch, why he's choosing the slow, proper route, and how trust, planning, and passion are shaping what comes next. We also dive into burnout, long-form content, attention spans, building without cutting corners and why fun still matters when your passion becomes your work. This is the next chapter of Blake's journey and it's only just getting started.


Episode Sponsors:-

- Mudhugger: Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at https://www.themudhugger.co.uk

- HUEL: 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

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/
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

Jono Jones is back for the first Ride Companion episode of 2026 and, Matt Jones joins the chat too!

On this episode Jono talks about his return to Saracen Bikes, his early World Cup years, racing as a junior, learning to manage pressure and why stepping away from results chasing has changed how he rides. Jono also shares insights on his role at MAVRIX, what he actually does, why he left banking to work with Matt, how realistic physics shape the gameplay, and why gaming skills are starting to translate into real world riding. There are also stories from A Slice Of British Pie, North vs South, early career mistakes, kite surfing in South Africa, and Matt Jones joins the episode for some classic stories and brotherly banter!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Don't forget to hit like, subscribe and leave a comment!

Learn about MAVRIX: https://mavrix.game

Episode Sponsors:-

- Mudhugger: Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at https://www.themudhugger.co.uk

- HUEL: 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.

- Manta Sleep: Get 10% off with code theridecompanion at https://tinyurl.com/theridecompanion

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/
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

Companionship, THANK YOU you for an incredible year! 
Join Olly and Davi as they look back at their personal favorite moments from The Ride Companion in 2025 plus, all the top moments as voted for by you. 

Episode Sponsors:-
- For a limited time, our listeners get 60% off FOR LIFE AND 2 Free Gifts at Mars Men when you use RIDE at https://mengotomars.com/

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

Big thanks to all the incredible guests who joined us on the show: 
List of 2025 guests

Jono Jones
Tom Pinchard
Sam Reynolds
Ben Plenge
Reece Wilson
Scott Beaumont
Tahnee Seagrave
John Fernandes
Jono & Desks
Sam Reynolds
Roger Vieira
Ben Smith
DJ Zesty
Kaoss Seagrave
Tom Fuller
Alan Milway
Ella Conolly
Iago Garay
Eliot Jackson (Hardline)
Brendan Fairclough (Hardline)
Wyn Masters
Josh Bryceland (Hardline)
Ed Masters (Hardline)
Blake Samson
Brendan Fairclough
Anton Thelander
Dan Milner
Phil Atwill
Duncan Ferris
Gee Atherton
Rob Warner
Tom Isted
Lando Steezy


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 

- 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