Summary: 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, <a href="https://www.mavic.com/en-gb">Mavic</a> and <a href="https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-GB">Santa Cruz</a>, 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.<br> To subscribe to our podcast and newsletter head to <a href="http://www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/">www.downtimepodcast.com/subscribe/</a><br> Ash on Instagram – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashingtonio/">@ashingtonio</a><br> Trans-Provence Instagram – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/transprovence/?hl=en">@transprovence</a><br> Trans-Provence website – <a href="http://www.trans-provence.com">here</a><br> Itinerology on Instagram – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/itinerology/">@itinerology</a><br> Our previous 2 Trans-Provence specials, with racer Jonathan Matthews can be found <a href="http://www.downtimepodcast.com/trans-provence-special-part-one/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.downtimepodcast.com/trans-provence-special-part-two/">here</a><br> Photo – Ian Robertson<br>
