Ben Smith: From Troy Lee Intern to HipLok Founder, Building a Global Brand from Scratch
Release Date: 05/21/2025
Loam Hunting, Secret Tech & Olly’s Surprising New Hobby
The Ride Companion
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. Episode Sponsors:- - Hiplok → Head on over to to claim your exclusive offer and keep YOUR bikes YOURS. - Troy Lee Designs brand new stage...
info_outline
Blake Samson Reveals Why He Really Left GMBN (and What’s Next)
The Ride Companion
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...
info_outline
A podcast about anxiety and other things
The Ride Companion
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...
info_outline
Honey, I Shrunk the Nuts! Listener Questions Special
The Ride Companion
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...
info_outline
Our Weird Spa day, Icks, Gym Etiquette and More
The Ride Companion
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...
info_outline
Ed Masters on the Spirit of Enduro, the Psychology of Racing & His Wild Hardline Pitch
The Ride Companion
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... Episode Sponsors:- - WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: - Hiplok → Head on over to to claim your exclusive offer and keep YOUR...
info_outline
Josh Bryceland on Why He Really Came Back to Racing, MTB Philosophy & the State of Downhill
The Ride Companion
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...
info_outline
Wyn Masters Talks Shifting Focus, Secret Elite DH Performance Hacks, E-Bikes & Wyn TV's future
The Ride Companion
Wyn Masters joins the show to talk about his move to Focus Bikes, how he's “shifting focus” after 17 years on the World Cup circuit, and why cooking lunch with your bike brand might be the ultimate vibe check. We dive deep into Wind TV’s evolution, e-bike warm-up secrets, caffeine-fueled race prep, Jackson Goldstone's unconventional setup, and the psychology of qualifying. Plus, Wyn shares behind-the-scenes stories from the privateer project, why he skipped Andorra, and his dream of being a jockey. Get early access & ad-free episodes → You can also support our long term partners:...
info_outline
Brendan Fairclough's WILD top to bottom at Hardline 2025 (full story)
The Ride Companion
Brendan Fairclough had a crazy start to Red Bull Hardline 2025 and after missing two days of practice showed up and did a first run top to bottom towed by Kaos Seagrave. This is the full story of one of the wildest and most impressive Red Bull Hardline runs of all time... Everything you need to know about Red Bull Hardline 2025 here Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: Get early access & ad-free episodes → You can also support our long term partners: - Marin Bikes: - Focus Bikes: - HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at - Hiplok: ...
info_outline
Eliot Jackson's Red Bull Hardline insights, predictions and more...
The Ride Companion
We sat down with Eliot Jackson to chat about what’s to come in the next few days including Berndard Kerr's secret line, predictions, course changes and more... Everything you need to know about Red Bull Hardline 2025 here Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: Get early access & ad-free episodes → You can also support our long term partners: - Marin Bikes: - Focus Bikes: - HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at - Hiplok: - Play Fantasy Downhill at The Race Companion: - Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code...
info_outlineBen 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
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