Duncan Ferris on The Psychology of Trail Building, 4X Racing and More
Release Date: 10/22/2025
Hardline Tasmania Bench Racing & Predictions
The Ride Companion
Red Bull Hardline Tasmania is just days away. Let's go bench racing and make some fun predictions! Olly and Davi break down the full rider list including Jackson Goldstone, Asa Vermette, Bernard Kerr, Troy Brosnan, Sam Hill, Aaron Gwin, Roger Vieira, Gracey Hemstreet and more plus, who’s missing, who’s under the most pressure and, why Hardline might be changing. The lads also make Hardline Tasmania podium predictions, unpack winter riding guilt and survival strategies, share what they've been watching and listening to and somehow end up deep in Lunch & Learn chaos. Get involved in the...
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The TRC Race Team, Motorway Rules, A Pinkbike Award and More
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...
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Playing MAVRIX with Jono & Matt Jones!
The Ride Companion
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: Episode Sponsors:- - Invisiframe → 15% off kits,...
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Blake Samson On Building His New Channel the Right Way
The Ride Companion
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...
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Jono Jones on Saracen, MAVRIX, returning to racing (ft. Matt Jones)
The Ride Companion
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,...
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The Best Moments of The Ride Companion (2025)
The Ride Companion
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 Get early access & ad-free episodes → 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...
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What 2025 Taught Me (12 Lessons)
The Ride Companion
In this episode, I (Davi) reflect on the lessons I’ve learned this year through building the podcast and business, navigating burnout, deepening friendships, saying no more often, and learning when to slow down. I talk about why community doesn’t have to be wide but it does have to be deep, why you can’t outwork your nervous system, how guilt shows up when we rest and why giving yourself permission to reset often leads to better work on the other side. This isn’t advice — just an honest reflection on what 2025 has shown me so far. If one of these lessons resonates, this episode’s...
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Community Rules Over Everything... (EOY Episode)
The Ride Companion
HOLY what a year Companionship! Davi and Olly sit down to chat about the recent TRC Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales and how unreal it was. The lads also chat about Davi's new hobby, Travis Pastrana's RMZILLA video, Lando Norris becoming F1 champion, breaking into events, Wyn Masters responding to haters, a discussion about the importance of community plus much more... Thanks so much for your support during 2025 gang, it means the world! Episode Sponsors:- - Hiplok → Head on over to to claim your exclusive offer and keep YOUR bikes YOURS. - Looking for a new car or van and don't want to...
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Roger Vieira Breakthrough Season Review, Street Race Wins & Factory Future
The Ride Companion
Roger Vieira is back on The Ride Companion and this time it’s a completely different chapter! Roger Vieira & Pivot Factory Racing was one of the best stories to come out of the 2025 season. Last time Roger sat in the studio he was questioning whether a factory ride would ever happen, then just weeks later he found himself in Poland racing a brand new bike with barely any testing and suddenly living the dream he’d chased for over a decade. In this episode we unpack that entire whirlwind year, the real difference between “puzzling” as a privateer and “dialling” as a factory...
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The Speed Episode Gets Weird (Again)
The Ride Companion
This week’s episode is a quick-fire catch up with Davi and Olly as they race the clock, talking winter riding, long johns, sauna chats, Facebook Marketplace rabbit holes and getting properly hyped for The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales. Episode Sponsors:- - For a limited time, our listeners get 60% off FOR LIFE AND 2 Free Gifts at Mars Men when you use code RIDE at - Looking for a new car or van and don't want to deal with dodgy dealers? Check out - WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com Get early access &...
info_outlineTrail boss Duncan Ferris is on the podcast!
Duncan Ferris has lived two MTB lives: from 4X racer and World Cup track builder to shaping the UK’s most ridden bike park trails at BikePark Wales. In this episode, Duncan takes us from the Bristol BSX scene, to building World Cup 4X tracks like Schladming, Vigo and Villingen and finally chasing down the National Champs jersey after 20 years. We dive deep into trail building psychology, why braking bumps form where they shouldn’t, why variety in a crew is essential and how riders unlock creativity on a trail.
Plus Duncan shares the BikePark Wales origin story, the dream project that became Vanta with Red Bull and Laurie Greenland, wild tales of dynamite on trail builds and digging up grenades. We hope you enjoy this episode with one of the true legends of UK mountain biking.
The Ride Companion Christmas Ride at BikePark Wales!
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- WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: uk.worx.com
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Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House
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