Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast

Want to get fit and strong in 2018? Then this is the episode for you! Ben Plenge from MTB Strength Factory joined us to answer your questions. We tackled the main themes that came up, which were warm up and cool down, maximising use of your time, tapering, injury recovery, and training for older riders, as well as some other great questions. Have a listen and I’m sure there will be something in there for you, that will help you ride further, faster and harder in 2018! Don’t forget to subscribe to receive all our future episodes, tell your friends, and if you have time, then an iTunes review goes a long way, thanks! Also, in this podcast, there is a discount for Ben’s online programmes that is valid until the end of January 2018. Here are some links to the items mentioned within the podcast. Click here to find a great introduction to yoga positions that help mountain bikers, by Yoga Abi Click here for the book ‘Yoga for Cyclists’ by Lexie Williamson Click here for the book ‘Becoming a Supple Leopard’ by Kelly Starrett To follow Ben, head to his Instagram @mtb_strength_factory To see Ben’s online programmes and services, head to www.mtbstrengthfactory.com To listen to our previous episode with Ben, head here To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/

Welcome to our first episode of 2018!! I’m excited to be back bringing you more from the world of Mountain Biking! Our first guest of the year is the adventurer Jamie Nicoll. I find Jamie a really inspirational guy, who overcame significant adversity to get back on a bike. However, just getting back on a bike was not enough of a challenge for Jamie, so he pushed himself and managed to claim 8th overall in the Enduro World Series! Take a listen to Jamie’s story, it’s a great way to start the year, and to inspire you to take on and overcome any challenges that are in front of you. To find out more about Jamie’s adventures, you can follow him here Instagram @jamienicolladventures To find out more about the Enduro World Series, head here To catch up on our back catalogue of episodes, head to downtimepodcast.com/episodes To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ Photo – @maxschumann_

We’ve got something a bit different for you for this Christmas special episode. One of the inspirations for me to start the Downtime Podcast was listening to what Davi was doing with the HKT Podcast. It was great to hear someone getting under the skin of the mountain bike world, and it made me crave more of that sort of content. I got to meet Davi at the Fort William World Cup earlier in the year, but both of us were busy and didn’t get long to chat. So, we found an afternoon where we could both sit down in a pub in Leeds, and have a good old fashioned chat. We talked about our backgrounds, how our podcasts got started, our highs and lows, hopes for the future, and much more! It’s a long one, so put the kettle on, get comfortable, and settle in for a listen. I hope you enjoy it! To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ You can find out more about the HKT Podcast on their instagram @thehktpodcast For a bit more on why I started the podcast, head to our ABOUT US page here

Bex Baraona and Martha Gill are two of the top Enduro racers on the planet, with Martha taking the 2017 Under 21 Enduro World Series title. Together, they are the Gowaan Gals, bringing fun to the sport, pushing their own limits, and encouraging other gals to join in too! We spent a fun winters afternoon together, riding in the Peak District, and then sitting down in the kitchen for a cup of tea and a chat. Our conversation covers their 2017 season, the Gowaan Gals (and most importantly, how to say it!), their hopes and aspirations for 2018 and much much more. To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ Gowaan Gals Instagram @gowaan_gals Bex’s Instagram @bex_baraona Martha’s Instagram @marthagmarthag Or listen to the previous episode with Bex here

Concussion is something that as a mountain biker, we are fairly likely to experience at some point. There are potential detrimental effects of repeated concussive events, and yet this is not really something which has been talked about much in the mountain bike community. We have a duty of care, not only to ourselves, but to our riding buddies, to ensure that we minimise the risk of concussive impacts sustained from crashing our bikes. To help you know what to look for, and how to deal with potential concussions, we put together this special podcast episode with Adrian Stokes from Pure Body Balance. Adrian is a rider himself, and has been supporting Katy through her recovery, getting her back and ready to ride and race. Please take the time to listen to this episode, and hopefully you find the information within it useful. For a summary of everything you need to know, Adrian has kindly put together this pdf To learn more about Pure Body Balance, you can find their website here Adrian also now runs Rise MTB Performance, which you can check out here To listen to the episode with Katy Curd, head here To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ If you have access to BBC iPlayer and would like to watch the recent documentary on the link between heading footballs and dementia, please click here

We’re back, and this time we have Jack Reading from One Vision Global Racing joining us. Jack lives near to me, so I was able to pay him a visit, sit on the couch with him and his dog, and have a good chat about riding bikes! Jack is in a unique position where he is a top 20 capable World Cup downhill racer, yet still has a day job and runs the team that he rides for. As a result, Jack provides some insight that few others can. We talk about their Nicolai Geometron bikes, eBikes, training, running a team, getting faster, and lots more. To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ To find out more about Jack, here are his social media links… Instagram @jackreading_v1sion Facebook @jackreadingdhr The team here… Instagram @v1sion_global_racing Facebook @onevisionglobalracing Website jackreading.com And the bikes… Website geometronbikes.co.uk During the episode, Jack mentioned Mick Hannah, to listen to our episode with him, head here Photo – One Vision

2017 Downhill World Champion Miranda Miller joins us for a chat in episode 21. I got in touch with Miranda before the 2017 season started to ask if she would be willing to come on the podcast to talk about being a privateer on the World Cup circuit, and moving into the professional ranks for 2017. Miranda was keen to get involved, but thought it would be best to do something at the end of season, as she would have more to talk about… and how right she was! Miranda ended what, in her words, was one of her toughest seasons to date as World Champion! We talk about how she got involved in mountain biking, the challenges of being a privateer, dealing with injury, and of course, being World Champion! To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ If you want to find out more about Miranda, then you can follow her here: Instagram @mirandamillermtb Or check out her team here: Instagram @teamspecializedgravity You can find all our previous episodes (and some more World Champions) here Photo – Sebastian Schiek

Mick Hannah joins us for episode 20, fresh off an amazing but frustrating second place at the Downhill World Championships in his home town of Cairns, Australia. We chat to Mick about his background in riding, his career so far, the build up to the World Champs, and what’s next for him. Mick was a really interesting guy to chat to, really thoughtful and reflective, with many years of experience at the top of his game. I really hope you enjoy listening to the episode, and find something helpful to take away. To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ You can find more of Mick at the following links: Instagram @sickmick83 Facebook @SikMikHannah Or you can see the videos from the team on Facebook here @URteam1 To listen to any of our previous episodes, head here Photo – Dave Trumpore @davetrumporephoto

The man behind the Trans-Provence 6 day stage race in the French Alps, Ash Smith, joins us for a chat in episode 19. Ash is at the forefront of putting together unique and exciting mountain bike itineraries, and the Trans-Provence is the best known example of his amazing work. A guy who clearly enjoys the adventure that riding brings, and is at one with his inner desire to explore exciting places, on bikes, at speed! We chat about Ash’s background, how the Trans-Provence came about, what it takes to put on such a huge and logistically challenging event, and much more. Ash would like to thank the title sponsors of the event, Mavic and Santa Cruz, without whom the event wouldn’t be possible. For further information on the event, on Ash himself, or on his new project ‘Itinerology’, check out the following links. To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ Ash on Instagram – @ashingtonio Trans-Provence Instagram – @transprovence Trans-Provence website – here Itinerology on Instagram – @itinerology Our previous 2 Trans-Provence specials, with racer Jonathan Matthews can be found here and here Photo – Ian Robertson

Ines Thoma from Canyon Factory Racing joins us for a chat in Episode 18. Ines is nearing the end of another successful season of racing at the Enduro World Series, and other major enduro events. Before she heads to the final round in Finale Ligure, we talk about how she got into mountain biking, what it takes to be a good enduro racer, Trans-Provence, recovery, nutrition, yoga, and much more. If you enjoy listening to the episode, then please give us a review over on iTunes as it really helps people find the podcast. If you’d like to find out more about Ines then you can follow her on social media here: Instagram @inesthoma Facebook @thomaines To listen to our special Trans-Provence episodes head here and scroll down to just below episode 13. To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ Photo – @maxschumann_

Phil Atwill from the Propain Dirt Zelvy team joins us for a chat in episode 17. Phil has had a season full of ups and downs, from his best result to date, to a season ending injury. He talks us through it all, as well as telling us about how he got into riding, how he sets up his bike, his thoughts on 29ers, and a whole lot more. We really hope you enjoy listening, if you do, please take the time to give us a review on iTunes, as it really helps us get this podcast to as many people as possible! To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ To find out more about Phil, you can find him on social media here: Instagram @phil_atwill Facebook @Philatwill95 Or find out about where he learned to ride here: Aston Hill Bike Park link Photo @cult_media  

When I interviewed Tracy Moseley earlier in the year, and asked her who else I should speak to, she didn’t hesitate in putting me in touch with Katy Curd, who she firmly believes is one of the most talented riders from the UK. I really enjoyed chatting with Katy, and learning more about her background and journey to where she is now. With an already impressive career spanning downhill and 4x, where she took the world champion’s jersey before she decided to leave 4x to focus full time on downhill. We discuss the reasons for that decision, the differences in the training, and a cool tip for improving grip strength/reducing arm pump. In addition to this, Katy has spent the majority of this season working on recovery from a significant concussion. I strongly believe that there isn’t enough awareness in the sport on the impact and risks associated with concussion, so hopefully this podcast episode can go some way towards giving more people a window into how serious this can be. I really appreciate how open and honest Katy was on this challenging but incredibly important subject. I hope you enjoy listening, and take something away from this episode. Mountain biking is awesome, but can be dangerous, so look after yourselves and listen to your bodies!! To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ Here are the links to things we cover in the episode: Pure Body Balance coaching here Redhill Extreme bike park here Katy Curd’s coaching here Sprung suspension here You can find Katy on social media here: Instagram @katycurd Facebook @KatyCurd Twitter @katycurd You can also find our episode with Tracy Moseley here Photo – @callum_philpott

George Brannigan of the Commencal Vallnord DH team joins us for a chat in episode 15. Unfortunately George’s race season is over due to a collarbone injury picked up when riding as a forerunner at the French National champs, but from talking to him, it’s clear that he is fired up to get fixed and back at it faster and stronger than ever next season! We chat about what scares him and how he deals with it, what it’s like to race Red Bull Hardline, coming back from injury, 29ers, and much more. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, then we’d love it if you could give us a review on iTunes, thanks! To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ If you want to find out more about George or the Commencal Vallnord DH team, you can head to these links: Instagram @georgebrannigan and @commencal_vallnord_dh_team Facebook @GeorgeBranniganDH and @ridingaddiction Twitter @G_Brannigan If you want to find out more about Red Bull Hardline, then head here You can find all our past episodes here Photo @kenophotographie

Kenta Gallagher of Polygon United Ride joins us for a chat in episode 14. Kenta has a really interesting background, having been a professional cross country racer from a young age, competing on the world stage, and winning the World Cup XC Eliminator at Nove Mesto in 2013. Kenta subsequently decided that his heart was with downhill, and quit the full factory world of cross country to become a downhill privateer. This season he has moved back to the world of factory support with the Polygon United Ride team. We talk about this journey, some of the ups and downs along the way, and what it takes to get into the top end of downhill World Cup racing. To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/ To find out more about Kenta and his team, follow the links below, Instagram @kentagallagher Facebook @KentaGallagherLtd Twitter @KentaGallagher Polygon Bikes Polygon United Ride Team To find out more about Kenta’s suggestion of a suspension set up day, check out J-Tech suspension, based in the UK. Photo – @davetrumporephoto To catch up on all our other epsiodes, head here

2014 World Cup series and World Champion Manon Carpenter joins us for a chat in episode 13. We talk about her winter of recovery, and what it takes to come back from injury, her approach to riding with control, her move to the Radon team in 2017, her use of sports psychology and much more. With the ever increasing competition in the women’s field, it was really interesting to hear how Manon is working her way back towards the top step on the podium. If you want to find out more about Manon, then you can find here at the following links, Instagram @manoncarpenter Facebook @ManonCarpenter Twitter @ManonCarpenter You can also listen to our episode with another women’s podium contender, Tahnée Seagrave, here Photo Irmo Keizer