MTB TRIBE - Your Trail Map to the World of Mountain Biking

On episode #217 we chat to Daz about his experiences racing through the years across many different disciplines, how he fell into the bike scene, spent a small fortune on bikes, got sponsored by Yeti, raced against the likes of Steve Peat and Rob Warner, was on the cover of bike mags and how he eventually burned out. All this plus much more!

Thanks for tuning in, enjoy the show!

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For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

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This episode is proudly sponsored by ALLTA

Here at MTB Tribe we are super excited to introduce you all to our new brand – ALLTA.

ALLTA is a range of mountain bike clothes and accessories dedicated to make mountain biking easier. Our gear is designed to be practical, stylish and environmentally friendly. Our best-selling Trail Changing Robe will keep you warm and dry while you are getting changed in and out of your riding gear and our other pieces work just as well on the streets as on the trails.

We’re a small Irish based brand, but our range is growing steadily with the support of a fantastic group of mountain bikers across Ireland and the UK.

You can check us out at www.rideallta.com or on Instagram @ride.allta

In episode #216 we are chatting with James Anderson about growing up with monoplegia, how this affected his childhood, how he got into riding bikes, why he never told anybody outside of his family and close friends about his condition and how through grit, determination and willpower (lets not forget skill level) he is racing at world cup level, is a sponsored rider and is loving every moment of it.

Put your feet up and learn how this young man has come through so much to be chasing his racing dreams. If for any reason you need some help lifting yourself up at the moment, this is the episode for you.

Enjoy the episode.

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

-

This episode is proudly sponsored by ALLTA

Here at MTB Tribe we are super excited to introduce you all to our new brand – ALLTA.

ALLTA is a range of mountain bike clothes and accessories dedicated to make mountain biking easier. Our gear is designed to be practical, stylish and environmentally friendly. Our best-selling Trail Changing Robe will keep you warm and dry while you are getting changed in and out of your riding gear and our other pieces work just as well on the streets as on the trails.

We’re a small Irish based brand, but our range is growing steadily with the support of a fantastic group of mountain bikers across Ireland and the UK.

You can check us out at www.rideallta.com or on Instagram @ride.allta

In episode #215 I am chatting with bike traveller, photographer and author Ed Shoote about his new Scottish gravel guide book called Gravel Rides Scotland. The book comprises 28 of the best gravel rides Scotland has to offer with routes ranging form 31 to 128 kilometres in length, with great maps, trail statistics, photos and even a very useful gravel scale.

We chat about Ed’s love for biking, how he got started on two wheels, the unbelievable places he has visited on a bike, being chased by a grizzly bear in British Columbia and how he came to write a book about gravel riding in Scotland, plus lots and lots more.

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

Thanks for tuning in. Enjoy the show! 

This episode is proudly sponsored by ALLTA

Here at MTB Tribe we are super excited to introduce you all to our new brand – ALLTA.

ALLTA is a range of mountain bike clothes and accessories dedicated to make mountain biking easier. Our gear is designed to be practical, stylish and environmentally friendly. Our best-selling Trail Changing Robe will keep you warm and dry while you are getting changed in and out of your riding gear and our other pieces work just as well on the streets as on the trails.

We’re a small Irish based brand, but our range is growing steadily with the support of a fantastic group of mountain bikers across Ireland and the UK.

You can check us out at www.rideallta.com or on Instagram @ride.allta

On episode #214 in partnership with MountainbikeNI On ’Yer Bike Campaign it is my pleasure to welcome Adam Lowry, founder and co-owner of Basecamp Adventures on the podcast. Adam and his partners started Campbase Adventures in 2021 and have been running an uplift service at Gortin Glens Forest Park since that time. 

So join us as we chat about Basecamp Adventures, their uplift service, future plans and where to find natural trails at Gortin.

Thanks for tuning in and for your support!

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

This episode is proudly sponsored by ALLTA

Here at MTB Tribe we are super excited to introduce you all to our new brand - ALLTA.

ALLTA is a range of mountain bike clothes and accessories dedicated to make mountain biking easier. Our gear is designed to be practical, stylish and environmentally friendly. Our best-selling Trail Changing Robe will keep you warm and dry while you are getting changed in and out of your riding gear and our other pieces work just as well on the streets as on the trails.

We’re a small Irish based brand, but our range is growing steadily with the support of a fantastic group of mountain bikers across Ireland and the UK.

You can check us out at www.rideallta.com or on Instagram @ride.allta and for some behind the scenes access sign up to our newsletter! 

On episode 213 it is my pleasure to welcome Jenine Bourbonnais to the podcast. Jenine is the founder and owner of Whistler’s performance bike and snowboard shop called Evolution Whistler. Jenine opened the store in 1995 when she was only 21 years of age and has grown it over the years to become the go to store in Whistler. 

We chat with Jenine about how she started the store, how it has changed over the years, what Whistler is like as a biking and snow destination, the best time of year to visit and why it is just so rad to live there, plus lots more.

So tune in, put your feet up and get ready to pack your bags!

Enjoy the show.

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

-

This episode is proudly sponsored by Allta

Here at MTB Tribe we are super excited to introduce you all to our new brand - ALLTA.

ALLTA is a range of mountain bike clothes and accessories dedicated to make mountain biking easier. Our gear is designed to be practical, stylish and environmentally friendly. Our best-selling Trail Changing Robe will keep you warm and dry while you are getting changed in and out of your riding gear and our other pieces work just as well on the streets as on the trails.

We’re a small Irish based brand, but our range is growing steadily with the support of a fantastic group of mountain bikers across Ireland and the UK.

You can check us out at www.rideallta.com or on Instagram @ride.allta and for some behind the scenes access sign up to our Newsletter!

In episode 212 it is my pleasure to welcome Daniel O’Shea, Co Founder of The DirtFund Project back on the podcast and first time show guest Alex Marchant, who holds the very cool title of Marketing Assistant for Vitus bikes.

We are chatting with the guys about a very exciting collaboration between The DirtFund Project and Vitus Bikes, were two lucky privateer races will win a Vitus bike each (to race & keep at the end of the season), a load of Muc-Off gear and coaching from the man himself Ben Plenge at the Strength Factory. 

We chat about, how you can enter, closing dates, prizes, how Alex landed his Vitus position, what The DirtFund Project has been getting up to over the last year and much much more.

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

This episode is sponsored by ALLTA - Helping you get ready for your MTB adventures!

Check them out at: www.rideallta.com 

Thanks for being here and showing your support. Enjoy the show!

On episode #111 we welcome back Robert from Freewheelin.ie to chat about the Irish race scene over the 2019 racing season.

We have interviews from Harry Byrne, Brendan Conroy, Beefy Mullan, Hannah Harvey, Callum Morris and Peter Davison. Plus much more information on the 2019 season and a quick look into the 2020 season!

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

In episode #109 we chat to Nathan McComb, a.k.a 'The Lizard'. We talk about his trials background, his move to MTB and how he got so fast, ending with him standing on many podiums. Plus his new Enduro Malaga MTB Holiday business, what they offer, pricing, trails etc etc. Plus loads more interesting info.

This episode (#50) first aired on Thursday 23rd August 2018

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #108 we chat with Jason Murphy. Jason is the driving force behind the Shronaboy Farm Bike Trails in Killarney, Co.Kerry. We chat about building trails, hosting race events and planning exciting things for the near future. Plus much much more!

Thanks for tuning in. Enjoy the show!

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #107 we chat with Ollie Robertson the founder and owner of Surrey Hills Clothing Co. about building a MTB clothing brand, why he started it, how he got local riders wearing his gear and what he has planned for the near future.

Plus much much more!

For extra information and the show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #105 we chat with Yaroslav Alpizar Yari about everything MTB.

On episode #104 we chat with Euan Wilson, owner and founder of H+I Adventures. H+I Adventures offer MTB tours in the most spectacular destinations across the globe, from Scotland, Nepal and Norway, to Switzerland, Morocco and the Yukon in Canada. And that is just to name a few. These guys have the best destinations on the planet.

We chat with Euan about leaving your job and following your passions, finding the best destinations on the planet, offering the best service possible, pushing the bounders of expectation and loving what you do. Plus much more!

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #103 we are chatting with Julie Cornelius founder of World Ride, the Non-Profit travel company that's getting ladies out riding across the globe.

Julie has been getting ladies on bikes and out on the trails since her collage days working part time in bike shops. It was from these experiences that has guided Julie to do what she loves and is so passionate about... getting ladies on bikes, enjoying the experience and coming back for more.

So sit back and find out how Julie is helping local female mountain bikers get on bikes, and just not in her home town of Moab but in Nepal and soon to be Guatemala too.

For more information and the show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #102 I am joined by the 3 time Irish Elite Downhill MTB Champion Jacob Dickson. If you want to know what it takes to be at this level on the world circuit and be a professional mountain biker, then this is the episode for you.

We chat to Jacob about those early race days, being a professional racer, riding for the Giant Off Road Team, competing in the UCI, injury, podiums and knocking Glyn O’Brien off at the Red Bull Fox Hunt (all caught on camera by the way!) plus much much more.

For more information and show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

Its episode #101 we chat with Jamie Carruthers from his Mtb Trail Hub YouTube channel about everything Morzine. Jamie has just filmed a three part series on everything you need to know about riding, staying and eating in Morzine and Les Gets.

So tune in and find out how to best plan that trip to Morzine, where to stay, where to ride, how to find empty trails, get your bike fixed, where to ride if you are a first timer and how to navigate the mountain plus much more insider information.

For more information and the show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

Its episode 100! and what better way to celebrate than to get Robert back on the show from Freewheelin.ie and do a mid-season review of the Irish race scene. We chat race results, attendance numbers, winners, losers, standouts, how Ireland will preform in the Trophy of Nations and what’s at stake over the next few months plus much much more!

Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

For more information and to access the show notes please visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #99 we are chatting to Irish Ripper and Irish Junior DH National Champion, Ronan Dunne. Surprisingly Ronan has only been riding mountain bikes for around four years but has already made a name for himself in both the downhill scene and enduro scene here in Ireland, with the 2nd fastest time behind Greg Callaghan in the opening round of the Irish Downhill Mountain Bike Series

We chat about racing, podiums, sponsorship, downhill versus enduro and his 45 foot gap jump in his back garden! Plus much more.

Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

For more information and the show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #98 we revisit an old classic episode #28 which first aired 22-03-2018 with Brian Kennedy from his YouTube Channel BKXC. We chat about how Brian got the idea for his channel, how it grew so quickly and why it has been received so well. Brian has build his YouTube Channel up over the last couple of years to 130K followers (288K Now!). We chat about all this plus much more!

For more information visit the show note at: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #97 we are chatting to Matt Hartell the founder and owner of Epic Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures about why Matt decided to start a new mountain bike adventure company (he has another one). We chat about why Matt decided on Pisgah North Carolina, what his company can offer you as a rider, what to expect from the trail networks, how to book your trip, what the local scene is like and why you will have the ride of your life. Plus much more!

For more information visit the show notes at: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #96 we’re reviewing the Nukeproof Mega 275C Pro Carbon with Robert from Freewheeling.ie

We chat about Robert’s first impressions, how the bike handled in different conditions, how the bike was downhill happy, how the GX Eagle 12 speed gearing preformed and how Robert’s thoughts on price versus value, plus much more.

Also, stick around to the end of the show where we review the Nukeproof Horizon Pro Sam Hill flat peddles.

For more information and links visit the show notes at:

www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #95 we are chatting with Moses King and Simon Blake, part of the crew behind organising the first enduro race in Rwanda. We chat about organisation, trails, popularity and how the scene in East Africa has evolved over the last couple of years. Plus much more!

For more information visit the show notes at: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #94 we are chatting with Hannah Harvey about joining the Chain Reaction Cycles Race Team Belfast, how she got started in mountain biking, racing, results, motivation and what the future holds for Hannah and her race schedule. Plus much more!

For more information visit the show notes at:www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #93 we welcome back Tom and Hugo from their trail adventure company Trail Unknown. We chat about their first E-Bike guided trip, their presentation at the London Bike Show, their new bike packing coast to coast trip and partnership new with Specialized. Plus loads more!

Also the guys have been very kind to offer 10% OFF your first trip for MTB TRIBE PODCAST listeners. Simply tune in or read more to find out how. Enjoy the show!

To find out more visit the show notes at: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #92 we are chatting with Alastair Beckett about founding the mountain bike design and solutions company Redburn Design and about co-founding and building the very cool new mountain bike brand called Forbidden. Plus much more!

To find out more visit the show notes at: mtb-tribe.com

On episode #91 it was awesome to get Matt the owner and founder of Old Town Outfitters on the show for a chat about mountain biking in Guatemala. We chat about how he has grown his company from a few bikes and running guided trips from his hotel room to having fifteen plus staff offering the best trail rides in Guatemala.

To find out more and access the show notes visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #90 we are chatting to the Irish National Ladies Enduro Champion Leah Maunsell about life, family, racing, sponsors, bikes and ladies in mountain biking. It was awesome to get Leah on the podcast and have a chat about how things have been going this season for her regarding racing both at home and on the EWS tour. Leah has had an awesome start to her racing season with wins at the Grass Roots Enduro in Cork, the Vitus First Tracks Enduro at Ravensdale and wins at the first two rounds of the Gravity Enduro. The girl is ripping for sure. Leah started her racing journey at an early age but with her father and brother both being very good riders and racers, she was soon building on her skill base and had no option but to get faster or get left behind.

Leah started racing XC and got to the front, fast winning 4 National Championships in her first 5 years. Once the enduro scene started to become popular Leah soon adopted to the new race format and quickly got stuck in. She has now won the Irish National Enduro Championship title 5 times and in 2017 was the Irish National Champion in both Enduro and Downhill. Leah had a 3rd overall finish on the EWS curcuit last season but she only attended a few of the events because of school commitments. This season she plans to attend all of the European stages and possibly make her way to the California stage in Northstar at the end of August.

Tune in and hear Leah’s story of racing, podiums and future plans. Enjoy the show!

Find out more at: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #89 we are chatting with Davide Conti about reaching out to help Hans Ray with his awesome non-profit charity called Wheels4LIfe. But Davide's story that got him to that point is a pretty crazy one. Since starting mountain biking around eight years ago Davide has defiantly had his fare share of adventures, some good, some not so good but all an adventure in one way or another. What Davide has seen on his biking trips to Central and South America lit a spark in him to do more to help these communities he and his friends were visiting via their mountain bike trips. After searching for his next adventure Davide came across the Hans and Carman Ray charity called Wheels4Life. It instantly struck a cord with him and he knew straight away that through his love of mountain biking and travelling he could help these communities by getting involved in the Wheels4Life charity. He reached out to Hans and after a number of emails they had a plan in place and how Davide could help. And help he sure did.

Davide is now taking this one step further and is nearing the end of his plan to raise 4000 NZ Dollars to deliver a number of bikes to a much needed community in Colombia. He has only a month left to raise the much needed funds. So tune in, hear Davide’s crazy story and find out how you can help him by donating some much required funds to his awesome Wheels4Life Colombia charity.

To help and get involved visit: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode 88 we are chatting to the Legend and Master himself, Mr Glyn O’Brien. Glyn was a supporter of the podcast from the very beginning and was kind enough to come on the show way back on episode 10 (listen here). Glyn is super keen to help and support the Irish race scene anyway he can and has been doing just that for a number of years. So it was great to get him back on the show for another chat. On that first chat with Glyn we talked about how he got started in mountain biking, what the scene was like then, racing, rampage and a load more. So for this chat I wanted to know more about the race scene in Ireland and Northern Ireland, how it has been growing, the changes that have been made over the last couple of years, how the Vitus First Track Enduro series has been received so far this year and how the new Vitus First Tracks Enduro team is working out.

We also touch on the recent trail closures effecting Northern Ireland, what this means, why this has happened and how we as forest loving mountain bikers can help. There is a good positive outcome here so please tune in and have a listen. We all need to play our part and help however we can. We also get into the Vitus bike range, plans for Whistler and other races Glyn has planned for later in the year, how he still enjoys racing and is still super competitive. However in saying that, I think Glyn is just so stoked to see the Irish race and mountain bike scene grow and be healthy. If people are getting on bikes and getting healthy, both mentally and physically, Glyn has a smile on his face.

Find out more at: www.mtb-tribe.com

On episode #87 we are chatting with Jack O’Hare the owner and founder of the very cool trail construction company Summit Trails. Jack reached out to me after listening to episode #73 with his good friend Jasper Da Seymour. Jack and Jasper both live in Tasmania and if you tuned in to Jasper’s episode you will know how mountain biking is blowing up in Tasmania with trail centres like Blue Derby and Maydena Bike Park, just to mention a few. These trail networks have become so popular that communities have been reborn due to the number of mountain bikers coming to ride and enjoy what these trails have to offer.

So it was a complete pleasure to get Jack on the show and tell us about how these awesome trails came to be and what it takes to own and run a successful trail construction business. We chat about how Jack got into the trail building industry, companies he worked with, why he stepped out to form his own company, Summit Trails, the many balls you have to juggle to make something like this work and why Jack loves it so much. Plus much much more!

Continue reading here: https://www.mtb-tribe.com/

On episode #86 we welcome back Ben Plenge from The Strength Factory to chat about injury recovery. How to approach and best recover from a bad injury, how and when to get back into the gym and why a profressional trainer like Ben can really help get you back on the bike faster and fitter than you left it. Also get 50% OFF your first months subscription of Ben’s monthly STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING MTB PROGRAMME using the below promo code!

We had Ben on the show back on episode #51 chatting about why going to the gym makes you a better mountain biker. We chatted a little at that time about my collar bone injury and how the gym can possibly help to prevent such an injury and after the show we talked about Ben coming back on the show when I had recovered to chat about just that... How to recover from a mountain bike injury, or any injury really. In that episode #51 Ben gave me some points and tips about how to help get better faster, keep my chin up and get to mending yourself straight away, not to sit around feeling sorry for yourself.

In this episode we get into that in more depth and chat about when to get back to the gym, how to do this correct, can you get back before you are 100% mended, when to know to stop and how to help with diet and mind-set, plus much more. So if you have had that time-out injury in the past or you are in a recovery period from an injury or simply want to be prepared (God forbid) for that dreaded day, pop on the headphones and check it out. Hope it doesn't hurt to much!

For episode 85 we are joined once again by a great friend of the podcast, Robert from Freewheelin' We caught up to chat about and review the last couple of months of the Irish racing calendar.

Robert is a wealth of information when it comes to the Irish and Northern Irish race scene. He attends all but a couple of the race events, he knows the players and is always hassling them for an interview in one form or another. This time he was sticking a microphone in their faces and ask them a few questions about their season so far, their state of mind and goals for the rest of the season. Robert was very kind to come on the podcast and share his interviews with the show. We hear form Greg Callaghan, Kelan Grant, Killian Callaghan, Leah Maunsell and Ronan Dunne.

So tune in and have a listen to the movers and shakers of the Irish race calendar thus far, plus much more.

Enjoy the show!

Its episode Eighty Four and we are talking about E-Bikes. Yes the dreaded E-Bike conversation. You either love them or you hate them. But are they for you and should you be looking at buying one? We welcome back Robert from Freewheelin’ to discuss the whole e-bike debate and fill us in on the Vitus E-Sommet he had for a test review via the guys from Chain Reaction Cycles. 

I love the e-bike debate, both Robert and myself after doing episode number 82, where we reviewed the 2019 Vitus Escarpe 29 VRX, decided to publish a further episode about an e-bike he recently reviewed on his website. The discussion ended up more of a chat about e-bikes in general than an actual review. We both came to the conversations not knowing each other's views or opinions regarding the introduction of e-bikes into mountain biking.   Robert recently spent several weeks riding Vitus E-Summit which the guys from Chain Reaction Cycles kindly lent him. Robert reviewed his experience on his website, and after reading the article, I thought that it would be interesting to get him on the podcast to chat about his first experience on an e-bike. We talk about the differences between an e-bike and a regular bike, how they handle differently, what trails they are suited for, the benefits, the drawbacks, uses and market prices.

On todays episode and number Eighty Three we are chatting to Andrew Coburn about winning the Mountain Bike NI Scout Leader Award, staying stoked on the trails and how mountain biking changed Andrew’s life for the better. Plus a few funny stories from when Andrew started mountain biking.

When reading through the annual email sent from Mountain Bike NI regarding the yearly award winners (these are awards voted by riders for things like best trail, best MTB accommodation, best MTB cafe etc...etc.) I discovered that the Scout Leader Award had been won this year by Andrew. I was stoked to hear this because Andrew is in love with mountain biking and if anybody deserves the award it is Andrew. I have never hit the local trails with Andrew but I knew he was somewhat of a character and would be a great guy to have a chat with and get on the podcast. After all, its characters like Andrew that make this mountain bike hobby so much fun and when these guys are around, there never seems to be a dull moment.

This is not so much an episode but a story of how having an interest, a social group of friends and an awesome community around you can help change your life forever.

Its episode number Eighty Two and we are teaming up with Robert from the very cool and insightful online MTB website called Freewheelin'. This is somewhat of a first for the podcast as we have never done a bike review before so it was great to get Robert on the show and talk us through his latest review, the 2019 Vitus Escarpe VRX. Robert was kindly asked by Chain Reaction Cycles to take the bike for a number of weeks, put it through its paces, test it out, write a review on his thoughts and post it on his website (see below for website review). So after having Robert on the show back in Episode 079. We got chatting and decided why not come back on the podcast and tell us all about his experience with riding and reviewing the 2019 Escarpe.

On episode number Eighty we are chatting with Meave Baxter about her racing career since the 90’s, her wins, her loses, how things have changed over the years, how to stay safe on the trails and what she has planned for the 2019 season.

We chat to Meave about what the racing scene was like at that time and how things have changed since then. Meave tells us some great stories of the people she looked up to, people she raced against, how her first race was done on a full rigid bike and how she made her own body protection from old foam camping matts. Plus much more.

Get Show Notes here: https://chtbl.com/track/7E49E/traffic.libsyn.com/mtb-tribe/080_Irish_MTB_Racing_Legend_Meave_Baxter_Part_1_FINAL.mp3

On episode number Seventy Nine we are chatting with Robert Lynn who is the founder and owner of the very cool online website and magazine called Freewheelin’. Robert is super keen on the Irish MTB scene and is really passionate about the awesome growing mountain bike scene we have in Ireland, including the North. Robert follows the Irish race scene closely and covers all the race meetings bringing us all the best information and results from the meetings and events. The websites slogan ‘2 Wheels – 1 Passion ‘. is certainly true and Robert is super passionate about what he covers and puts on the website. He covers everything from the grassroots to the international events and has a keen interest in the up and coming youth talent, and we have a lot in Ireland.  

So, it was great to get Robert on and fill me in on what is going on and what we can look forward to in the 2019 season. And to be honest I knew you guys and girls would also like to know what is happening so I got Robert on the podcast to have a chat about the Irish race scene, who to look out for, where the events will be happening, what new teams to keep an eye on and the movers and shakers on the EWS. We get into a lot of detail about the characters who are putting Ireland on the map for producing great racers, why this is happening, how the trail networks are helping, updates on funding for new trail networks and what the racing scene holds for us in 2019.

So tune in, get up to date on the Irish race scene and find out what events you may want to enter or even just show your support by spectating.

On todays episode and number Seventy Eight we are chatting with Chris Dower about how to become a bike mechanic, what that comprises of, why bike mechanics will never be out of work and how you can build it into a great career.

So for anybody looking to fix bikes for a living, or get their foot in the door of a bike store then this is the episode for you. We chat about being a bike mechanic from the grassroots up, what to expect and why you will never be out of a job! Plus much much more. Enjoy!

On episode number 077 we are chatting to the owner and founder of MTB apparel company Pinned Attire. I firstly want to say that Ryan has a crazy inspiring story behind why he started Pinned Attire and donates 100% of profits to the Air Ambulance. YES 100%. Ryan is a true philanthropist; a truly committed, generous and selfless individual. It is a pleasure to have him on the show.

Ryan has been running his Pinned Attire company for around two years and through hard work, sleepless nights and load of hours spent behind the computer, plus a number of other things, the brand is going from strength to strength. I was once told by a person who runs a number of successful brands that it is now easier to buy a brand than build one. So what Ryan has achieved with Pinned Attire is fantastic, all the hard work has paid off and that is what it takes, hard work. There are no short cuts, no magic pills and there is no luck involved. Its hard work, late nights and grind that makes anything a success. We chat with Ryan about how he has build the brand, what the brand means to him and what keeps him pushing forward, for lets face it, no income. He has not made a penny from Pinned Attire. Yes he has made a profit but to him it is more important to support his local Air Ambulance service (see below for links). So if you need some new riding gear this season check out Pinned Attire, its for an awesome cause which any of us could need at any time on the trails.

Tune in, check it out and let Ryan tell you the story behind Pinned Attire.

On todays episode and number Seventy Six we are chatting to Thomas, the founder and owner of a very cool Uk distribution company called Cyclorise. Cyclorise distribute bike accessories and components from the USA and South Africa. They also distribute brands from the UK including their own self-started accessory brand called Lourí. The birth of Cyclorise was a very fast one, it came from a pretty simple idea for a product to a full blown distribution company within a number of days. Thomas will say he runs a small distribution company which is growing a little everyday, but I think he has positioned himself in just the right place. We all know how fast the mountain biking industry is moving these days and how things change on a daily bases, something which Thomas is well aware of.

Thomas has worked most of his life in the mountain bike industry and for some of the biggest players. He has done everything from working on the shop floor to buying the merchandise that you see on the racks. Thomas loves working in the mountain bike industry, loves the products, loves the communities and has a real passion for what he does. His background and passion for riding has really helped him source accessories and components that riders want, are practical and help you enjoy your ride better. Cyclorise distribute brands such as; Revgrips, SMOOVE Lube, GÜP Industries, Sahmurai Sword, Lourí, Fork Cork, Timber, Nox Sox and his range is growing. We chat about how this all started, how he finds the brands he believes in, how the business to business model works, how you can best get the products and future accessories and components he is working on. Plus much much more.

Today on episode Seventy Five we catch up with the guys after a tough enduro race in Uganda. Its the second Elgon Enduro which has been a great success. The race has grown from a few competitors last year to international participants this year. Tom Shopland is from the UK and runs his own guiding company in the UK called Trail Unknown. We had Tom on the podcast a few weeks ago on episode 071 (listen here). At the time of recording the podcast Tom had no idea in 3 weeks he would be racing in Uganda, but after searching through the back catalogue of the podcast he came across the episodes we had done from East Africa (see below) and it just happened that Tom’s sister was in East Africa at this time, he was intrigued.

One thing lead to another and Tom ended up in Uganda. Awesome! Adrian Rass is from Switzerland and just happened to get in contact with Will about helping with race and course preparation for the enduro. Adrian ended up staying for a number of weeks, racing and having a blast before heading on the rest of his African adventure the whole way down to South Africa (he also showed how fast the Swiss are on a bike!).   We had a laid back, fun chat about how the race went, what the conditions were like, how the course has changed from last year, funding, competitor numbers, how MTB is advancing in East Africa, how Tom came to be there and how curly Adrian's hair is. Plus much more.

On todays episode number Seventy Four we are chatting with MTB Freelance Journalist Lauran Jenkins. Lauren has been a Journalist for a number of years and has always had an interest in writing from an early age. When friends would be at a party Lauren would excuse herself, go home and write a blog. But when Lauren found her passion for mountain biking in 2012 she quickly combined that with her passion for writing and her career was born. Lauren quickly got involved in the industry and even though she was still at university finishing her journalism degree she found herself spending more time at the Dirt Magazine offices. We chat about her early days trying to get her foot in the door, what kind of articles and jobs she was doing, how she got involved with Pinkbike and the great people she has had the pleasure to work with.

Lauren started her mountain biking experience on a downhill bike and a downhill track! Now if that isn't being thrown in at the deep end I don’t know what is. However, after many tears and frightening moments Lauren build her skill level so she could cope with whatever the trail had to offer, she was even on a DH team. Lauren now rides a more friendly enduro bike and keeps the downhill stuff for special occasions. We chat with Lauren about what gear she uses and delve into ladies specific bikes, gear, clothing and how the industry is changing to cater for these things. We chat about a number of great interviews Lauren done in St. Moritz with ladies that work or play in the mountain bike industry and how they feel the ladies scene has changed over a number of years, mostly for the better.

So if you want to know more about how to get involved with journalism in the mountain bike industry or simply want to know what kind of schedule a MTB journalist keeps, plug in and let Lauren tell you all about it.

On episode number Seventy Three we are chatting with Jasper Da Seymour, founder of jdaseymourphotography.com.au. I was first put in contact with Jasper after he had done a photo shoot with Tom Redfern, founder and owner of Broken Riders who was on the podcast back on episode 038 (listen here). It has taken a while to get Jasper on the show but he is a super busy man, has lots of projects on the go and is always pushing and promoting his photography and filmography business. Jasper is from Tasmania just of the coast of Australia and I have to say, after watching Jaspers films of the local area the trail networks look amazing. Jasper seems to have really caught the passion that the Tasmania scene flows with, its young, exciting and full of energy.  

We chat about how the scene has grown over the last few years, how the local councils are getting involved in helping produce and build trails with the purpose of bringing more people into the area and helping local communities and business. And it seems to be working. We also chat about how Jasper got started in photography and filmography and how he found his true passion in the mountain bike scene. We chat about some of the projects he has worked on, how these came about, what the brands are like to work with and some of the characters in the industry.  

I really enjoyed my chat with Jasper. He is a super fun guy, has a really good sense of humour and is super passionate about his work. So put your feet up, find out what the Tasmania mountain bike scene is like and have a laugh with Jasper.

Back on episode number 025 I had a chat with James Wilson, founder and owner of Pedalling Innovations and inventor of the Catalyst Pedal. This was one of the best episodes of 2018 and I know you guys really got involved and enjoyed the episode. Many of you have asked what the best episodes have been over the last 18 months, so here is one of the top episodes for you to get caught up on and have a listen.

Todays Guest

James Wilson - Owner and Founder of Pedalling Innovations and the Catalyst Pedal

In todays episode number Seventy Two we are revisiting episode Twenty Five, where we chatted with James Wilson, owner and founder of Pedalling Innovations. We will be talking with James about why he strongly believes you should be using flat pedals over clipless. James has done lots of his own research into the pedalling stroke and has come to the conclusion that clipless is not the way to go. 

James provides us with his evidence on the podcast of what he has found during his research and what his conclusions are regarding the use of flat vs. clipless pedals. But James also believes that the flat pedals available on the market at this time are also not great at helping the pedal stroke, so James made the decision to create, design and produce his own pedal, the 'Catalyst Pedal'. So why is this better? You will find out all on the podcast.

On episode Seventy One we are chatting with Tom and Hugo, founders, owners and guides of their exciting bike adventure company Trail Unknown. Tom and Hugo are super cool guys who are following their passions by doing something they enjoy, getting people on bikes, experiencing great scenery and having a great time while doing it. Trail Unknown has been running for just over a year but the guys know what they are doing, have already build up a strong customer base, have returning clients and have a number of things planned for the future growth of their business.

I reached out to Tom and Hugo after having Jacob Martin the owner of Mid Nowhere Productions on episode 068 of the podcast (listen here). The guy's had worked together on a Aussie Grit Apparel photo shoot and after chatting to Jacob I thought the guys would make a great episode. Their guiding business sounds great and their packages look awesome. What I really like about their business is that it suits all levels of rider. Tom and Hugo often have 3 guides on each ride so they can split the group into different levels, making sure you are safe and enjoying your experience. We chat to Tom and Hugo about how their guided rides work, what you need to bring, different packages available, pricing and what you can expect to experience on one of their rides. Plus much more. 

Also the guys have kindly offered MTB TRIBE LISTENERS 10% OFF on your first ride with TRAIL UNKNOWN. Listen to the show or click here to find out more.

On episode Seventy I revisit Kieran and Louis from Mech Monkey to answer my questions on ‘Why Should You Buy A New Bike?’. I often get asked what my best episode has been. This is a very difficult question to answer because of time lines etc. So I thought I would revisit one of the best for this weeks episode and I also think it is a very relevant episode for the start of the year, as we are all looking forward to the spring and possibly purchasing a new bike. I originally recorded this episode with Louis and Kieran back in March 2018 (episode 029) but it is still very relevant for today. Enjoy!

Happy New Year! and welcome to episode Sixty Nine. On this episode we are chatting with Jack Devlin about his exciting mountain bike journey to date, how his music talents have helped and everything in between. I first ran into Jack (truth be told he almost ran into me, you will need to listen to the podcast to find out more!) when he was competing in the 24 hour race at Castlewellan. That was over a year ago and a lot has happened since then, so it was well overdue that I got Jack on the show to fill us in on what has been going on. If you know Jack you will know he is a great character, always smiling having fun and on top of the world so it was great to get him on the show for a chat.

Jack has had a great year, he was crowned 2018 Ulster Elite Enduro Champion, he has raced in a number of EWS events including Whistler, he stars in his own movie called 'Busk To Ride - The Whistler Edition' (see below) and he has landed with the Vitus First Tracks Team again for 2019. However, he has had his bumps and brakes a long the way.

We chat to Jack about all this plus, how he got started in mountain biking, how he hooked up Glyn O'Brien and the Vitus crew, how his season has went, how he is recovering from a broken wrist and what his goals are for the 2019 race season.

Take a load off and tune in to hear one of the fastest dude's in Ireland on two wheels tell us his story and also, how to have a few laughs along the way.

ALSO GET 50% OFF THE NEW STRENGTH FACTORY UK ONLINE PROGRAMME FOR JANUARY FOR MTB TRIBE PODCAST LISTENERS. LISTEN TO FIND OUT HOW!

On episode Sixty Eight we are chatting to Jacob Martin, Owner and Founder of Mid Nowhere Productions. If you listened to last weeks episode with Maya Atkinson you will know the background to how Jacob sent me a film he had shot with Maya and after watching that film I just had to get both Maya and Jacob on the show.

It was cool that Jacob was happy to come on the show and share his story about how he got into filmography and how the film with Maya came about through the network of people in mountain biking. And once again it goes to show that this mountain biking community is so friendly and social and that the contacts and friends you make within it are a major reason why we all find it so appealing and consuming.

I was blown away to find out that Jacob is only 19 years old because by looking at his films, these all seem to be the work of an older more mature and experienced film maker. Don't judge a film by its cover type thing. Which makes what he has done and is planning to do that little bit more special. We chat to Jacob about how he got stated in filmography, how working with Aussie Grit Apparel came about, what gear he uses, how you can easily get started in filmography, the major part it plays in mountain biking and his very cool movie 'Get It Done' with Maya Atkinson. Plus much more.

Get plugged in and check it out!

On episode number Sixty Seven we are chatting to two time Junior British Downhill Champion, Maya Atkinson. It was great to get Maya on the show fresh off the back of her new film 'Get It Done', by Mid Nowhere Productions. Jacob Martin the founder and owner of Mid Nowhere Productions emailed me the movie and after watching for the first time I knew I had to reach out and get Maya on the show. Maya was very cool and agreed to come on and share her story about racing, crashing and her preparation for her up-coming elite racing season.

Maya is so laid back in her approach to racing, training and results that you would be forgiven for thinking that she doesn't really care, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Maya is super focused, motivated and very determined to make her mark on the ladies downhill elite scene. I love Maya's approach. She is determined to have fun and enjoy herself in the process by not taking the whole thing to seriously. She has her goals set and is going to work hard until she achieves them. Maya is excited and nervous all at the same time about her up-coming season which is totally normal. We chat about this and how among many other things her parents have been a major driving force behind her getting to the level she is at and how they help in so many ways. We also chat about ladies in mountain biking and how best to get involved. Plus tones more great stuff.

So hit play and find out what it is like to be advancing from Juniors to the elite level of ladies downhill mountain biking.

On todays episode, number Sixth Six it was awesome to get James on the show from Kenya. As you guys who follow the show will know, I have had a number of guests on the podcast from Kenya, East Africa, chatting about what is happening over there regarding the expansion of mountain biking including, tours, races, skills courses etc..etc.. So it was great to get James on and tell us more about how he (with the help of friends) is helping mountain biking grow and expand in and around his local area.

James is the Director of Savage Wilderness, an adventure and tour company which now offers mountain biking as one of its packages. This has mainly grown from a passion James has for mountain biking and after a chance run in with Simon Blake the two guys put their heads together to organise not only cross country rides (some times lasting for a week) but enduro races as well. Because of people like James and Simon the enduro and mountain biking scene in Kenya is really gaining popularity with more interest from visiting racers and locals alike, the scene is looking very healthy for the future. We chat to James about how his adventure company is helping mountain biking, what his local trails are like, why there is such problems with getting good bikes in Kenya, how things are growing and expanding and what he has planned for the near future regarding mountain biking. Plus more.

So take a visit to Kenya, East Africa and find out what the mountain biking scene is like there. Who knows you may just stick it on your bucket list. Enjoy.

On episode number Sixty Five we are chatting with the young Irish ripper Oisin O'Callaghan. Oisin has been raging the downhill circuit over the last number of years and is quickly reaching the top of the youth division. When I had Oisin's father Chris on the show back on episode 062 (listen here) chatting about the Ballyhoura Trail Network, we had a quick chat about Oisin and how his season had went and what his goals were for the near future. I was super interested and wanted to know more. Chris was kind enough to ask Oisin if he would like to share his story on the podcast and thankfully he was cool with coming on and chatting with us.

For a 15 year old kid, Oisin is super motivated, dedicated and willing to push himself to take that next step forward. When I gave him a call he had only finished a gym workout. A gym that he has set up in his garage and it sounds awesome. For a young man Oisin has his head screwed on in the right direction. He knows what he wants from mountain biking and knows what he wants to achieve over the next season, and Oisin has the plans in place to do just that. We chat to Oisin about why he has got so good at a young age, what his training looks like, his favourite race from last year, how his season went, Crankworx, sponsorship, plus loads more.

On episode number Sixty Four we are chatting with Andy Cole. Andy is a massively passionate photographer and even thought he does take photography of more than just mountain biking, mountain biking and action sports is where his true interests lie. You can check out Andy's images on his very cool website at alcphotography.co.uk Andy first got in contact when he had just published an article for Pink Bike (see below) about his adventure with Sean Green and his Grizzly Munro Diaries. I was so impressed with Andy's images for that article and the overall Grizzly Munro idea that I had to reach out and ask both Sean and Andy to be guests on the show.

I was lucky enough that they both agreed to come on and tell their stories. One from the riders perspective and the other from the photographers. I had Sean on the podcast back on episode 057 (listen here) but now with Andy's schedule having a few gaps he was kind enough to put an hour aside and come on the show to tell us about how this all started, how he and Sean first hooked up and what it was like to photograph and ride in such unpredictable elements. We chat about this plus, how Andy got into mountain biking, what he loves about it, how and when he started photography and how he catches the perfect image. Plus much more.

Todays Guest

Matt Mooney, Founder and Owner of MTB Fitness. We chat with Matt about how being that little bit more pacific in the gym can help you on the trails and how nutrition and mind-set can help even the weekend warrior.

On episode Sixty Three we are chatting to Matt about his 12 week MTB training programme, which has been bought in over 23 countries and is a great way to help you get fitter, feel better and be faster on your rides. We chat about how Matt after many years of being a Personal Trainer found his passion again for mountain biking and seen a hole in the market for a more pacific mountain bike training programme. And this is when MTB Fitness was born.

Matt is very knowledgeable in how training can help you in a load of different areas of your daily life and how getting your butt into the gym a few times a week can help your riding. We chat about what his 12 week MTB programme consists of, how it works, equipment you will require (which is not a lot) and how much time you will require in the gym to help on the trails. We also delve into nutrition, mind-set and injury recovery.

Chris O'Callaghan - The service provider to the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails and founder of Trailriders.ie

On todays episode, number Sixty Two we are chatting with Chris O'Callaghan about why we  should all check out the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail Network and don't leave it off our to do lists for 2019. After all it has 98km of trails and is the biggest trail network in Ireland. We chat with Chris about how the trails came to be, how they where designed, how popular the trails have become, what facilities are on offer and what to expect from the trail networks, plus much more.

Chris was kind enough to come on the show and chat to us about this awesome sounding trail network. I have to admit, it is a network I have never visited and to be totally honest I have never really thought of going there. Why is that? It has awesome facilities, bike hire, a bike shop for repairs and general components and on top of all that it has a number of different level loops totalling 98km of trail. So I reached out to get more information on Ballyhoura for both myself and you guys as I feel it is a destination we all should visit on our next mountain bike trip.

On episode Sixty One we are chatting with The Bear, Rob Allcoat. I have been following Rob on Instagram for a little while and just loved his attitude, love for mountain biking and the energy he put out with his posts and videos. So I reached out and asked him to come on the podcast for a chat about what he does, how he stays motivated and how he went about getting ambassadorship and sponsorship. Rob was kind enough to say yes and we quickly set it up.

Rob has a passion for getting people out on the trails and through his sponsorships and growing social community he has been able to reach more people and motivate people to start mountain biking, get out in nature and enjoy exercise on two wheels. And for Rob that is what it is all about. Rob is fully aware of what mountain biking does for his overall mental state, energy and love for life and he simply wants to pass that on to as many people as he can. He is doing a great job so far!

On episode 60 we chat to Matt Sanders about living and riding MTB in Alaska and how he got the lead role in the newly released movie series Alaska Photo Ventures, from Dan Redfield an Emmy Nominated Filmmaker and Photographer. Plus much more!

On episode Fifty Nine we are chatting to Jon Aston the Founder and Owner of Chickens Frame Emporium about building, designing, shaping, welding and producing top notch steel frames hand build in the UK. I was put in touch with Jon by Tom Redfern, founder and owner of the MTB apparel brand Broken Riders. Tom was on episode number 38 of the podcast and thought Jon would make a great guest. So I reached out and Jon was kind enough to come on the show and share his story.

It was great to get Jon on the show as he see's the mountain bike industry in a different light and is not scared to air his views and thoughts on the industry. Jon got into building frames in a different way from most but if you had to put it down to one thing it would have to be passion. Jon loves what he does and even though he does not work out of a state of the art workshop and maybe he doesn't have the latest piece of building equipment, Jon is super stoked to be where he is and do what he's doing. Building frames for people and seeing smiles on their faces as they pick-up and ride their new frame is all it takes.

Jon chats to us about the building process, what steel he uses and how he goes about fabricating a bike frame. Jon works with all kind of orders, everything from ice-cream bikes to mountain bikes to fire breathing dragons (you will have to listen to the show to find out about that one) but mountain biking is where his passions are the strongest. We chat to Jon about why he loves steel so much, why he only makes hardtails, the many options that are available for your bespoke build plus much much more.

On episode number Fifty Eight we are changing the way we think about life, work and passions with Simon Hall who helps people chase the life they are passionate about and really want to live. And this spills into mountain biking as Simon is now hooked on hitting the trails with two wheels below him. I was put in contact with Simon via Alex Holowko, who we had on the podcast back in episode number Forty Three chatting about how to prepare for an enduro (Listen here). Alex is coached by Simon not just for his mountain bike racing and adventures but for his life on the road to how he stays focused, and focused on the correct things to help him improve and move forward.

Simon is such a great guy and is really switched on to helping people get into the correct frame of mind to better their life and getting them moving in the right direction to make their life better. And we as mountain bikers are so lucky because Simon has just been bit by the mountain bike bug. Simon got into mountain biking after a chance meeting with Alex. The two of them hit it off and one thing lead to another. Simon helped Alex focus and change his lifestyle and Alex helped Simon get on a bike and up the mountain. We chat to Simon about how to better yourself, how to make the gym work for you, getting your meditation on the trails, fuelling yourself properly for the bike and making your passion help in your everyday life, plus much more.

On episode Fifty Seven we have something a little different for you, or something a little crazy for you. It was my pleasure to get Sean on the podcast and talk about his passion for mountain biking the 282 Munro peaks of the Scottish mountains which he calls his Grizzly Munro Diaries.  And did I say he was doing it on a mountain bike? I love chatting to people like Sean who have stepped outside the box and are doing something completely different, something they are so passionate about it takes over your every minute of thinking.

Sean was great to chat with and you can tell his idea has grown into a full-time passion, even though he has to do it on a part-time basis. What makes this adventure even more crazy is that Sean works full-time, is a father of two and at times has to drive hours to even get to his next Munro challenge. His days off are full, his weekends are full but Sean strongly believes his family comes first and that he has a good balance between the two. Sean chats to us about his background in mountain biking, what it is like to bike where he lives and the crazy looks he gets from hikers when on top of an Munro with his bike.

And talking about bikes, Sean rides a Deviate with a Pinion gearbox (see sponsors list below). I have known about the Deviate brand for some time as I had Ben Jones, the co-founder of the brand on the podcast on episode 15 talking about his MTB adventure company (listen here). Sean is in love with his Deviate and believes the gearbox really helps his riding with not just climbing but descending. I must admit the bike does look awesome. We chat about how Sean reached out to get help from sponsors and how that has helped with the challenge. Sean chats to us about how to prepare for such an adventure, what extra gear you require and how crazy the terrain can get.

On episode Fifty Six to was my pleasure to get Graham Stock on the show to talk about everything carbon wheel related. Graham is the Founder and Owner of the UK based carbon wheel company called Sixth Element operating out of Manchester. I was introduced to Graham and Sixth Element by Tom Bell who was on the podcast back in episode Forty Four. Tom is a brand ambassador for Sixth Element and thought that Graham would make an interesting guest for the show. He was not wrong. I reached out to Graham who kindly agreed to come on the podcast and tell the story of Sixth Element.

Graham loves talking wheels. He has a real passion for it, so it is good for us all that he runs his own wheel building company. The Sixth Element product is hand build in their workshop and every order is bespoke for that order or that customer. Sixth Element has been in business for the last four years and they have made some great strides in both getting great riders on their wheels but also making a product that people love. The evidence is easy to find, just check out their website (see below). The customers not only leave great reviews but also post images of their bikes proudly wearing their new wheels. And with a lifetime guarantee included it is not easy to see why.

Graham chats to us about his background, where the idea to start a wheel company came from, the materials they use, the environmental issues involved with carbon, product options, pricing...plus much much more. So if you're thinking of a new set of wheels to upgrade your ride, make your riding better or whatever the reason my be, then pop those headphones in and have a listen!

Its episode number Fifty Five, and the podcast is one year old (it was launched with four episodes)!!

So in saying that it was great to have Simon Blake back on the show to talk about the Kerio Valley Enduro and how mountain biking in Kenya, East Africa has developed over the last 9 to 10 months. Simon was first on the show back in episode number Twenty (Listen Here) talking about his work in East Africa and how mountain biking was starting to get popular with XC and Enduro events starting to pop up all over Kenya, with his guidance and help of course.

Simon is never at home. He is always on the road promoting MTB and Road Racing development within Kenya, so he is a hard man to grab for an hour. Simon has been doing an awesome job building the MTB community and letting people see the advantages that such a healthy and fun past time can have not only on yourself but also your local community. We chat about how the mountain bike scene has changed over the last number of months and some exciting progress that has been made. We also chat about the Kerio Valley Enduro that Simon has just held and how it has become more popular not only with riders but with sponsorship and local businesses.

On todays episode number Fifty Four we are chatting with Tess Brown from her very popular mountain bike Instagram account MUD_AND_NO_MAKEUP. Tess started mountain biking around four years ago and since her first time on the mountain, on a proper bike and on proper trails she was hooked. Tess is super passionate about mountain biking and as with so many of us, it has taken her to places she never thought she would have been and it helps to have two wheels below you.

Tess started her MTB Instagram account just over a year ago to catalogue her mountain bike racing and travels and it has grown very quickly with over 12K followers. This has helped open the doors of sponsorship helping Tess get to races and promote and enjoy this hobby she is so passionate about. We chat about how Tess got started, how she felt about her first proper mountain bike ride, what her first bike was, how she got into the racing scene, advice she has for ladies wanting to start mountain biking and why mountain biking has made Tess move home. Plus much more.

On todays episode number Fifty Three we are chatting to Federico Sermarini about why you should look at Malta for a mountain bike adventure plus tons more great information on biking in this Mediterranean island.

If you have been listening to the show over the last few weeks you will be well aware of my bike accident (because I never shut-up about it) resulting in a broken collarbone. Well Federico is one of the guys (Edward, owner of Wheel Wizards being the other) that helped me that day, got me back to the car on as many flat roads as possible and off to hospital. So it was a pleasure to get him on the show and chat about what Malta has to offer as a mountain biking destination, what you can expect from the trails, the awesome weather, how the scene is growing, what bikes the guys are riding and lots more information about why you should give Malta a try for your next MTB adventure.

On episode Fifty Two I am all alone, interviewing myself about why I started the podcast, how my shoulder injury is going and what it is like to mountain bike in Malta.

On episode Fifty One it is great to be chatting with Ben Plenge the founder and owner of The Strength Factory. Ben has been involved in the fitness scene in one form or another for many years and when his career path changed he decided to combine his love for mountain biking with his fitness background. The Strength Factory was quickly born and a few years down the line it was Ben's full time job and passion. We chat with Ben about how this change happened and the challenges involved.

Ben offers a number of different fitness packages, everything from surfing to rock climbing. As Ben puts it, anything you can watch on Red Bull TV he can train you for. However, MTB is by far Ben's most popular course and with his passion for the sport it is not hard to see why. We chat about the courses Ben offers including in gym group classes, one-on-one classes and online courses. We get into the detail of why we all should be attending the gym and how it helps when you get out for that weekend ride. Plus loads more great information to help you ride stronger, faster and better.

ALSO GET £5 OFF THE STRENGTH FACTORY ONLINE PROGRAMMES WITH MTB TRIBE. LISTEN TO FIND OUT HOW!

In episode 50 we chat to Nathan McComb, a.k.a 'The Lizard'. We talk about his trials background, his move to MTB and how he got so fast, ending with him standing on many podiums. Plus his new Enduro Malaga MTB Holiday business, what they offer, pricing, trails etc etc. Plus loads more interesting info.

Today on episode number Forty Nine we are chatting with Jez and Bruno about their relatively new business venture, Rhythm And Bikes Bicycle Repair Shop. I was put in touch with Jez and Bruno by Tom, founder of Broken Riders who I had on the show in Episode #38.

I was keen to get them on the show and tell their story because it is an example of the power in following your passions and doing something in life that you enjoy. Jez and Bruno gathered up their courage a few months ago and decided to take the leap and open their own bicycle repair shop, following a life long passion of riding and working on bikes. We chat to them about where the idea came from, what made them take that scary leap of faith, how they find being their own boss, what maintenance packages they offer and much more.

On episode number Forty Eight it is my pleasure to have Tim Taylor on the show, the man behind the better tasting and better performing sports nutrition company Chia Charge. I was asked to get Tim on the show by Nigel Morris, the man behind the very popular Manx 100 Endurance Race held in the Isle Of Man. Nigel uses Tim's product and simply wanted to know more about the Chia Charge story. When I reached out to Tim about coming on the show he was super keen to get on and share the story of Chia Charge, what they do and why their product is that little bit different.

After doing research into Chia Charge and the different products they offer I was very happy to see quite a few vegan options (if you didn't know, I am vegan so this sold it for me!). Chia Charge has a great range of products, fun website and really seem to enjoy what they are doing. I chat with Tim about how it all started and why he wanted to enter a very competitive sports nutrition industry. We also talk about what is involved in building a sports nutrition company, what ingredients they use, how Chia Charge helps you perform better and what products best suits your needs, plus loads more.

Also, Tim has very kindly given MTB TRIBE listeners a 20% OFF Discount on Chia Charge products (not including the discounted sample packs) by using the following link. Click on the following link and the discount will be added automatically: MTBTRIBE20 Enjoy!

On episode number Forty Seven we are welcoming back Trent and Allie from their YouTube channel Trent & Allie, Aka TNT MTB. I first had Trent and Allie on the show way back on episode 4! (Listen Here) We were talking about their YouTube channel and mountain biking, among other great stuff. Well since that time a lot has changed including the name of their channel, which is now simply Trent & Allie.  We chat about why they changed the name of their YouTube channel and the direction and focus it is moving into the future.

When I first had Trent and Allie on the show they had just finished their first van conversion, but since then they have sold that and just completed their second build with no expense spared. So I thought it was a good time to get them back on the show and take us through the process of converting a van into a full-time liveable space. We chat about the reasons behind this new build, where the ideas came from, what they were doing differently from the first build, cost, time and why Trent was lying below the van in the snow installing a portable toilet. It gets messy!

On episode number Forty Six I am chatting with Colleen Lowry, owner of the popular year round destination for not only mountain biking but a host of other activates: Blessingbourne Estate.

Colleen and her husband Nick are the proud owners of a beautiful family run estate at the edge of FiveMileTown, which just also happens to have 13 Kilometres of mountain bike trails. A simple coincidence? Not so. Colleen and Nick were the main driving force behind getting the trails built. When Colleen and Nick were looking at diversifying the land around the estate they (with the help and advice of others) decided that mountain bike trails would be the way to go. They visited trial centre's in Scotland and had a look at what other estates were doing besides mountain biking, but in the end and with Colleen being a keen mountain biker when she was in London decided that mountain biking would be a great fit for what they were looking to achieve. It would bring in a different clientele, would be something the whole family could use and it would attract people from all corners of the country and beyond.

We chat about where the idea came from, as it is unusual to have mountain bike trails situated on a picturesque country estate. We chat about how the first few days went when the trails first opened, we chat about the past MountainBikeNI awards the estate has won, plus a tone of other interesting and useful information including, what a bunch of good people we mountain bikers really are!

It is my pleasure to have Nigel Morris on the podcast for episode number Forty Five. Nigel joined me from his phone in the airport waiting to catch a flight home to the Isle Of Man where the Manx 100 is held. If you want to challenge yourself to the fullest and push your limits this is the race for you. I chat to Nigel about how the race was first envisioned, where the idea came from and how he has built it over the years to because a top class event.

If you listened to last weeks episode with Tom Bell who won the race last year, you will know how challenging the Manx 100 really is. But Nigel and his crew didn't set the race up to be easy, that was not the point. It is purposely difficult. We chat about why they made the race 100 Miles in distance and why over the years they have introduced different categories. We chat about why the Isle Of Man is the perfect setting for such an event, how they use the same grandstand as the TT and why the trails in the Isle Of Man are so good. Plus much more.

It's episode number Forty Four and we are chatting to Professional XC Racer Tom Bell. Tom is well known in the XC circuit for constantly being on the top podium. Tom is a super cool guy and I am super stoked to get him on the podcast.

Tom chats to us about his racing career, being the current MTB Marathon National Champion, his coaching business, racing and representing Great Britain at the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships. Plus much more about how you can best race XC.

On episode Forty Three we are chatting with Alex Holowko about everything enduro race related, from how to register to how to keep mental focus. Alex has been racing on the down hill scene since a young age but has now set his focus on the enduro scene. Alex is currently travelling around Europe in his motorhome with his girlfriend, Amanda Dexter aka WolfGirlMtb (check out episode 41 here) filming for their YouTube channel, Wolfpack Adventures, racing and chasing the Enduro World Series. We caught up and got Alex's insights into everything you need to know about entering an enduro, how to be best prepared, compete and much more.

I was asked by a number of our listeners about how to best go about preparing yourself for racing in an enduro, mainly of the back of a few of our other interviews regarding racing (see below). So when I had Amanda on the show it dawned on me that Alex would be the perfect person to ask. So a few days later Alex was kind enough to take time out of their travelling schedule and share his thoughts and experience about what we should be thinking about when taking that jump into the exciting world of enduro racing.

On episode Forty Two we are chatting to Owen Franssen about his Irish based blog called, Emerald MTB, riding bikes, the state of mountain biking in Ireland and how he won a free entry to the Davagh Enduro!

Its funny how things work out at times. I knew of Emerald MTB, I used their great race calendar resource, read their blog and watched their video's, but I never really knew of the guy behind it all. That was until he won a competition I was running on the podcast to win a free entry to the Davagh Enduro being held at the end of June. After Owen won the competition we got chatting via email and it dawned on me who he was. Boom! what a stroke of luck. One thing lead to another and he agreed to come on the show.

I was stoked to get Owen on the show because I not only wanted to find out more about his Emerald MTB blog but also, I knew he would be a great guy to chat to regarding mountain biking in Ireland as that is what the content of his blog relates too. I wanted to find out a little more about the scene in Ireland and how healthy he felt mountain biking was and how it is looking for the future. I also chat to Owen about how he got interested in mountain biking, what his local trails are like, why he started the blog, products he has reviewed for the blog, his awesome race events calendar and much much more.

For episode Forty One it is great to get Amanda Dexter, the face behind the super popular Instagram page Wolf.Girl.Mtb. I hooked up with Amanda while she was on her European trip chasing the EWS. Amanda and her boyfriend Alex have totally changed their life's to chase the dream of mountain biking and van life. This was not an easy move from full time work and a steady income, to taking the leap to working remotely and traveling in a motorhome around Europe. We chat about the highs and lows of such a massive lifestyle change, how Amanda struggled at first, how she feels about it now and how it has been going so far.

Amanda has lived a pretty mobile life since being a kid. From being born in America to moving and living in Africa, so living on the road seems to be second nature for Amanda but it still comes with its challenges. Amanda has also stepped into the YouTube world with her new channel Wolfpack Adventure, filming her adventures on the road around Europe with Alex and her wolf, Kia. He's not actually a wolf but he looks like one! We chat about why Amanda and Alex started a YouTube channel and what they feel is the end goal for the channel. We chat about riding bikes, racing enduro, living on the road, sponsorship and parking in the wrong places.

On episode Forty it is great to get Hannah, Founder and Owner of Flare Clothing on the show. Hannah started Flare Clothing in 2013 and the brand has went from strength to strength, even winning the Total Women's Cycling Award for 'Best Mountain Bike Clothing 2016'. This was no mean feet taking on the big players such as Fox etc.. Hannah introduced a Men's range in 2014 and used a Kick Starter Campaign to help fund this. We chat about how Hannah started Flare with the help of her Masters Degree to how Flare has grown to a full time lifestyle business.

Hannah has thrown her heart and soul into the creation of Flare Clothing and it shows. Flare's product range is great, has depth and has everything you need to get on the trails. Hannah is a one man band and has the responsibility of designing the products to working with the manufacturers to designing the website to posting product to customers and everything in between. This has grown into Hannah's full time gig, we chat about the time it takes, the motivation it requires and how Hannah still doesn't see herself as an entrepreneur, plus loads more.

I am really pleased to welcome our first magazine on the show for episode #39. Today we are chatting with Seb Rogers, Founder, Owner and Editor of Cranked Magazine. If you have never got your hands on a copy of Cranked you are missing out. It is a bumper mountain bike magazine, almost a coffee table book and as Seb likes to put it, 'It's intentionally different'. We chat about how Cranked came to life, why it is different and why it has been such a success, plus find out how to get a Free Cranked Tee Shirt.

If you like great stories, awesome images, articles to get you on your bike, quality paper and a magazine that you will want to keep, this is the one for you. Cranked is not full of adverts or product reviews and this is intentional. Seb did not want Cranked to be just another mountain bike magazine full of adverts so he put a percentage limit on ads throughout the content of the mag. Seb also decided not to do product reviews as he believes this causes a conflict of interest in all types of areas and to be honest it is a breath of fresh air not getting blasted by review after review. We chat about how Seb funded the magazine and basically had the magazine validated in four and a half hours.

On Episode Thirty Eight it is my pleasure to welcome Tom Redfern to the show. Tom is the one man machine behind the MTB apparel brand called Broken Riders. Tom found his way into the fashion word by accident. It just so happens that accident was on a mountain bike. When recovering from his accident Tom had an idea to start a mountain bike brand for people just like himself, people who wanted something cool and comfortable to wear after a ride or simply down to his local shops, while not looking like they had just came from a Moto-x race.

Fast forward a number of months and Broken Riders was born. Tom had no experience in the world of fashion but had the necessary skills as a graphic designer to produce professional looking designs and came up with a very cool logo, a slightly different take on the 'devil horns' logo. Have a closer look and you will understand what I mean. I chat with Tom about how he got started, where the idea came form, how much work it involves, his very important environmental stance and what cool stuff he has planed for the future.

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On episode Thirty Seven it is my pleasure to have Kelly-Jayne Emmerson on the show. Kelly or Kell as she is best known has been mountain biking for three years and has already started an exciting and interesting mountain bike blog called KellBellandBikes.com. She is also an ambassador for many top end brands including Morvelo Clothing and Cotic Bikes. We chat to Kell about how she accidently started mountain biking, how she got hooked on her first ride and how that has lead to a mountain bike lifestyle she is very happy with.

Kell's background is not in blogging or in mountain biking but because of a love and passion for mountain biking she has stepped outside of her comfort zone and made both work towards the lifestyle she wants. Kell works hard on her blog and publishes a new article each week. Each article is packed full of information and really gets you stoked to get out on your bike. Kell's blog is very much written in her own style and it really works. Her love, joy and happiness for mountain biking really comes across. And lets not forget about Bell, Kell's trail dog. Bell is a large part of the blog and can get recognised before Kell at times when they are both on the trail. We chat about this plus much more.

It is my pleasure to have Alastair Beckett on the show for episode number Thirty Six. Alastair is a major reason why the bike brand Nukeproof is where it is today and has become so successful. Nukeproof dawns riders like world champion, Sam Hill and Kelan Grant, to name but a few. Alastair has not only been a driving force behind the design of the Nukeproof brand as Design Engineer but also took on the challenge of becoming Brand Manager. We chat to Alastair about the rise of Nukeproof, working for CRC (Chain Reaction Cycles) and a load more great stuff.

Alastair had shall we say, a slightly different route into the mountain bike industry. He has done everything from telesales to World Cup mechanic to brand designer and manager. As a young mountain biker and BMX rider he never really knew what he wanted to do as a career. But when a small mistake at school (this is awesome) made him make a very fast decision he quickly found a passion and a direction for a successful career all based round his love for mountain biking. Sorry, but you will have to listen to the podcast to hear about that school mistake!

In todays episode #35 and our 5th instalment of our African Series we have invited Adam Davis, founder and organiser of the Kijabe Enduro back to chat about how the race was received and how the weekend went. We had Adam on the show in episode 24 to talk about organising his first enduro race and what riding was like in East Africa for a 16 year old kids form California, plus much more.

It was great to get Adam back on the show and fill us in on how the weekend went. It defiantly was a challenge and an eye opener for Adam in organising the enduro. With balancing school work and daily life challenges it was not easy. But with the help of Simon Blake, Adam got the job done and held a very well received weekend of racing.

Do you want to train better, race better, eat better and live better? If you want to be brave and do epic shit this is the episode for you. Sonya Looney does all of the above and tries to motivate everyone as she goes. I was stoked to get Sonya on the show not only because she is a very successful professional endurance racer, fellow podcaster and public speaker but because her message is so inspiring and she truly does want to help people live better and enjoy life to the full.

We are all so consumed today with work, social media and making ends meet that a lot of us don't take the time to do what we love or spend time with people we love. Sonya has made changes throughout her life to be able to do what she loves and has not only made it work through the world of mountain biking but has also been very successful at it. Sonya tells us her story from how she started mountain biking, almost by chance to what epic races she has planned for the near future.

Do you need to brush up on your MTB skills or do you simply want to hire a mountain bike to cycle round Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails? Well Killian, founder and owner of Cloughmor Extreme Adventure can help you out. Killian started the business around six years ago and it has grown from strength to strength. He caters for a tone of activities but it all started from a mountain bike guiding service and has evolved from there.

Killian has done plenty within the mountain biking scene and has been riding bikes for 18 plus years. Killian has a background with loads of experience in the adventure world and with his want to be more entrepreneurial, he stepped outside his comfort zone, took a leap of faith and started his own business doing something he loved. That has grown into a great local success story called Cloughmor Extreme Adventure. Have a listen and find out how Killian made it happen.

In this weeks episode number Thirty Two we are chatting to the legend who is J-Mac. J-Mac has come over from MotoX to mountain biking and has been riding at full speed since day one. We chat about how J-Mac got into MotoX and why he decided to move to mountain biking. We talk about how he feels riding MotoX gives you a real advantage when riding mountain bikes and helping with your overall fitness.

J-Mac is a man of experience on the racing scene and has had awesome results over the years to prove it. We chat about his killer results on the Irish Downhill Points Series, how he approaches the race (this may surprise you), how the Red Bull Fox Hunt has eluded him so far and what he plans to do about it for 2018. J-Mac also has some funny stories to tell us!

Ever wondered why your trail centres are always in great shape? Well it's because of people like John and a team of volunteers lending a helping hand, taking time out of their day to help maintain their local trails. Have you ever thought of helping out yourself?

Well on todays episode number Thirty One, we talk with John about how you can do that, how the whole process works and why your help is needed to keep the trails maintained the way we have grown to love. We talk about everything from John's role as a Trail Ranger to rider safety to what repairs are required the most.

This is a great episode were we get to find out what really goes into keeping our trails open all year round and what we as users can do to help. It doesn't take a lot of effort or a great deal of our time to help out so we can enjoy this thing called mountain biking 365 days a year.

Please listen to the show, get involved and help out your local trail centre!

In the Fourth instalment of our African series and episode number Thirty we will be chatting with Will Clark. Will is the founder of the Mount Elgon XC & Enduro MTB Race. We chat to him regarding living in Uganda, his local trails, organising an XC & Enduro Race and mountain biking in general. Will also gives us an exclusive on an exciting new Mtb venture he started at the beginning of the year.

Will is originally from the UK but has been living in Uganda for around ten years. He didn't get into mountain biking until he lived in Uganda while managing a white water rafting business, but once he got that downhill bug he was hooked. Will has really taken his love of mountain biking to the next level by holding a race weekend since 2011. Will also has a couple of other business on the go but his new venture is all based on mountain biking. We will get into that and a load of other cool stuff happening in Uganda.

After getting a lend of the new 2018 Rocky Mountain Altitude Aluminium (Shimano 70) from Mech Monkey and having a total blast it got me thinking, ‘Should I buy a new bike’? I kind of know why I should buy one but was that just a heart over head type response.

Yes, the Rocky Mountain was lighter, faster, slacker and more controllable or was that just the placebo effect? So, to find out the real reasons why I should buy a new bike I visited the Mech Monkey guys in Belfast to have a chat about it. Yes, Mech Monkey do sell Rocky Mountain, Transition, Nukeproof and loads of other required stuff (not a plug, really), but I knew I could chat to them and get truthful answers regarding this topic and not get regurgitated responses from the industry trying to sell me something (because I need it all to become a better rider!).

Find out why you should buy new over upgrading.

It's episode number Twenty Eight and I am so delighted to have Brain Kennedy from his YouTube Channel BKXC on the show. Brian has build his YouTube Channel up over the last couple of years to 130K followers. We chat about how Brian got the idea for the channel, how it grew so quickly and why he thinks it has been received so well. Plus much much more.

Brian's success is not by accident. He has always been looking for that side hustle to escape his 9-5 and after doing research and following his dreams of mountain biking he found his opportunity. Brian was quick to chase that dream down and now makes a good living by filming his adventures from riding the best trails on the planet and bringing us along for the ride. Or as Brian puts it,  'Let's ride the best trails in the world'. We chat to him about his fast rise to YouTube success.

In todays episode number Twenty Seven we are chatting to Robin O'Neill about being a professional photographer not only within the outdoor action environment but also within the mountain biking scene. Robin has worked with a number of top company's and personalities in the mountain bike industry. She chats to us about how she became a photographer, why she moved to Whistler and how she came to be shooting for some of the best brands in the mountain bike scene.

Robin had a different and interesting direction into the photography industry. She chats about this and how she decided to follow her true passion and get involved fulltime in outdoor lifestyle and action photography. This was a natural direction for Robin as she is a avid mountain biker and skier. We chat about this plus much much more.

Welcome to the forth instalment of our 'Why I Ride' series with Audrey Gallagher. Audrey is a super keen mountain biker and can often be spotted charging her local trails at Davagh. Audrey chats to us about how she came from a background of very little sport and how after some coaching from her boyfriend, she got hooked on mountain biking.

It wasn't an easy start for Audrey. She had her fare share of injuries from a number of accidents in her past and felt that mountain biking was the last thing she should really be doing. But after some encouragement, great coaching and a proper bike she finally got bit by that mountain bike bug and was hooked. Audrey has taken this one step further and has introduced a number of her friends from her road cycling club to get off road and on the trails. She now heads up a social roadies get-together on the trails of Davagh every Saturday morning. We chat about that and much more.

In todays episode number Twenty Five we are talking to James Wilson, owner and founder of Pedalling Innovations. We will be talking with James about why he strongly believes you should be using flat pedals over clipless. James has done lots of his own research into the pedalling stroke and has come to the conclusion that clipless is not the way to go.

James provides us with his evidence on the podcast of what he has found during his research and what his conclusions are regarding the use of flat vs. clipless pedals. But James also believes that the flat pedals available on the market at this time are also not great at helping the pedal stroke, so James made the decision to create, design and produce his own pedal, the 'Catalyst Pedal'. So why is this better? You will find out all on the podcast.

In our Third instalment of the African series and episode Twenty Four we will be chatting to Adam Davis about how a California kid ended up living in East Africa, what his local Kijabe trails are like, why he wanted to start an Enduro Race, what it was like guiding Brian Kennedy from his YouTube channel BKXC around and how he got so good on a bike with no coaching or guiding at the age of 16!

I got Adams details from Simon Blake, who was on a previous episode (#020, see below for the link). Simon said I should have a chat with him as he was doing good things in Kijabe and holding a Enduro race early next year (2018). I got in contact with Adam who was more than happy to come on the show and talk about what he was up to, how he got involved with mountain biking and everything else related to mountain biking in his area of Kijabe. Adam has a very interesting story and as a 16 year old he is certainly enjoying life, making the most of every opportunity and grabbing the bull by the horns (or the bike by the bars, if you wish).

In episode number Twenty Three we are chatting with Brian Lenehan who races in a number of local Enduro events and is registered blind. If you feel you need a kick up the backside and some motivation to get out on the trails then this is the episode for you.

Brian talks us through how the injury happened that effected his eye sight and would turn his world upside down, taking us through some dark times. But this is also a story of determination and discipline. Brian has come out the other side, has come to terms with his condition and all with the help of close family, friends mountain biking. If all you do is complain about the rain and snow (like me) then take a listen and realise you have nothing to complain about at all.

In episode number Twenty Two we are talking to Kelan Grant about winning the Redbull Foxhunt, what that has done for his racing career, his new CRC Mavic signing and racing on the same team as EWS World Champ Sam Hill.

This has been a massive twelve months for Kelan. Over the last year he has won many races including the Redbull Foxhunt, this qualifying Megavalanche heat, he is the Irish National Enduro Champion and has got a new signing to the CRC Mavic Team that will see him partner up with current 2017 EWS World Champion, Sam Hill. It was awesome to get Kelan on the podcast, we chat about everything from how he got started to overcoming injuries to his up coming year with a new race team. It is an exciting time for this young man from Omagh.

It's episode number Twenty One and we are chatting with Lynette Deacon about her racing, training, challenges and sponsors.  We get inside the ladies racing scene and chat about ladies in mountain biking. Lynette has raced in the Redbull Foxhunt for the last four years. We hear how she got on, what she thinks about the race and how competitive ladies racing is.

If you are thinking of getting involved in the ladies racing scene or even just starting to mountain bike this is the episode for you. We chat with Lynette about how she started mountain biking and how she would advice doing this in a male dominated scene. She shares some experience on how to get more involved, enjoy your riding more and get on the trails with more confidence.

In our third instalment of the African series and episode number Twenty we are talking with Simon Blake who is the Sports Director for African Mountain Biking and Cycling Development. Simon was nice enough to come on the show and fill us in on his role in introducing East African kids and adults to the world of mountain biking and cycling.

Simon is from Australia but has been living and working in East Africa for many years, helping grow awareness of the benefits that both mountain biking and cycling can bring and how it can become a career for those who have the skills and dedication. Simon has achieved this through many different methods, from pump tracks to enduro races but still believes they have a long way to go before this can become a reality for a lot of these kids.

In todays episode number Nineteen we chat with Michael Regan who along with being an excellent rider and racer is also the organiser of both the Davagh and Davagh Night Enduro. We chat with Michael about the challenges that arise in organising an enduro race, why he felt the need to start an enduro event, what kind of rider you need to be and how you can get involved and race yourself, plus much more.

Have you ever thought of entering an enduro race  (like me) but are just not sure if you are fit enough, skilled enough or fast enough? Well don't worry a thing about it. Michael talks us through it all. Lets us know what level of fitness you will need and if you are most likely up for the challenge, just remember to bring your lights to the night event!