Olly Wilkins is in Minakami, Japan for a special bonus episode of The Ride Companion with MTBJapan founder Nathan Bennett. Nathan moved from New Zealand to Japan 30 years ago and has spent decades building, clearing and guiding mountain bike trails in one of the most unique riding destinations in the world. In this episode, Olly and Nathan talk about the hidden MTB scene in Japan, why the dirt and terrain are so good, the famous "halfpipe"/bobsleigh-style trails, Japanese trail culture, secret riding spots, trail access, language barriers, moving to Japan, and why Minakami might be one of mountain biking's best kept secrets.

Find out more about Nathan and MTBJapan: mtbjapan.com

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You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
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SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
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Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
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📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

This week on The Ride Companion, Davi and Olly are finally back in the studio for a proper catch-up after a wild few weeks of travel and big life moments.

Davi breaks down the full California trip, from cruising the Pacific Coast Highway and visiting Sea Otter, to heading to Marin Bikes HQ and reflecting on a full-circle moment that started with a teenage dream of living in America.

Olly shares the plans behind his upcoming Japan trip, why he's obsessed with hunting perfect loam and why Japan might be one of the dream mountain bike destinations he's been thinking about for years.

There's also a deep dive into the madness of building and testing an urban downhill/freeride course in Mexico, including extreme heat, huge crowds, cartel helicopters, Slavic's wild crash, judging freeride runs, Sam Pilgrim, Bienve Aguado, Nikolai Rogatkin, Wes Sends and the future of young MTB talent. Plus, the lads discuss Sea Otter, Marin Bikes, the birthplace of mountain biking, baseball caps, riding shorts, job satisfaction, street racing and loads more...

Episode Sponsors:-

- WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com

- RX Sport: RX Sport are your one stop eyewear shop. From prescription sunglasses, to riding glasses and everything in-between. Use code TRC at https://www.rxsport.co.uk for a deal on Pit Viper products!

- Feedback Sports: 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/
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

On this episode of The Ride Companion, we're joined by Matt "Cippy" Cipes from Marin Bikes.

Cippy is Marin's Category Manager for performance mountain bikes, which means he plays a huge role in shaping the brand's full suspension bikes, e-bikes, spec choices, geometry, suspension feel, pricing, development timelines and overall ride quality. Recorded at Marin Bikes HQ in California, this episode dives into the history of Marin County as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, the origins of Marin's 'Made For Fun' ethos, how a mountain bike goes from idea to production and why developing an e-bike is far more complicated than simply adding a motor and battery.

Cippy also gives an honest take on the current e-bike power arms race, why Marin isn't rushing to chase huge motor numbers, what brands should really be focusing on and how ride quality still matters more than spec-sheet bragging rights. We also get into 32" wheels, XC's comeback, the future of analogue mountain bikes, the new Marin TAM, the development of the Alpine Trail E, why Marin looks to moto for certain design ideas, and what kind of rider feedback is actually useful when creating a new bike. Enjoy this deep dive into Marin Bikes, product development, mountain bike history and the future of MTB!

Episode Sponsors:-

- WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com

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