The Ride Companion

Rachel Atherton is one of the greatest downhill mountain bike racers of all time.

With 40 UCI Downhill World Cup victories, six overall titles, five elite World Championships and the only perfect World Cup season in history, Rachel achieved almost everything the sport could offer. In this deeply honest conversation with Davi and Olly, Rachel opens up about what happened when winning stopped defining her.

Recorded at Dyfi Bike Park in Wales, Rachel discusses motherhood, suffering a serious postpartum haemorrhage during the birth of her second daughter and the difficult recovery that followed. She explains why she felt torn between motherhood and racing after having her first child, her experience of postpartum depression and why winning her 40th World Cup at Lenzerheide left her feeling unexpectedly empty. Rachel also reveals why she eventually stepped away from racing, how injury changed her priorities and why discovering a new purpose has sometimes felt harder than winning a World Cup.

The conversation explores the loneliness and pressure of dominating downhill, how her relationship helped separate her identity from her results and the hidden workload that comes with being the fastest rider in the world.

This is Rachel Atherton beyond the race results. We hope you enjoy the episode.

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion

This episodes sponsors:
- It's ALMOST winter/night riding time! Check out the brand new Six Pack 15 handlebar light & Zenith 4 helmet light at https://www.exposurelights.com

- Get 15% off Invisiframe kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk

- Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at https://www.outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees!

You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com/aff/theridecompanion/
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

Listen or watch the full episode with Brendan Fairclough below.

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Ad Free on Patreon 

Episode Sponsors:-

Check out Brendan & Co's new business at https://riderovika.com and enter the code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off the entire site!
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

Listen or watch the full episode with Jenna Hastings below.

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Ad Free on Patreon 

Episode Sponsors:-

- Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees!
You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

Welcome to Tailgatin' with Bernard Kerr, a special episode of The Ride Companion presented by Igloo!

We travelled to Pivot Factory Racing HQ in Wales to catch up with Bernard and do some talkgatin' across his incredible and very unique car collection. Bernard shares a brutally honest assessment of his 2026 downhill season, opens up about breaking his kneecap at Lenzerheide and reveals his plan to return for Whistler, Lake Placid and Red Bull Hardline in Vancouver.

We also discuss the sacrifices required to become an elite downhill racer, why Bernard moved his entire life to Wales, the increasing pressure of managing a World Cup team and how he identified riders including Roger Vieira, Jenna Hastings and Dylan Maples plus much more...

To enter our Igloo Playmate giveaway, comment over on YouTube what you would keep inside yours. Bernard will choose five winners a week after the episode has been live!

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion


You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com/aff/theridecompanion/
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

Brendan Fairclough is back on The Ride Companion to reveal his new business, ROVIKA!

Recorded inside the ROVIKA warehouse, Brendog and Olly Wilkins also look ahead to Les Gets, where Brendan is joining downhill legends Sam Hill and Steve Peat for a special Monster Energy course preview.

Brendan also shares what it's really like trying to follow Amaury Pierron at race pace, why World Cup qualifying can be more exciting than the finals and what makes the atmosphere at Les Gets unlike anywhere else in mountain biking.

The lads also chat filming with Nino Schurter in Lenzerheide, the future of Roaming on 2 Wheels, plans involving Peter Sagan, Kade Edwards' first Red Bull Rampage and Brendan's three biggest pieces of advice for a Rampage rookie. Plus, Brendan discusses Whistler, Red Bull Hardline and why his new ROVIKA venture is designed to work with local bike shops rather than compete against them.

Check out Brendan & Co's new business at https://riderovika.com and enter the code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off the entire site!

Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion


You can also support our long term partners:

Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb
Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com
SRAM: sram.com/en/sram
adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten
invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk
Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion
HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/
Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk
Compex → 20% off with code THERIDECOMPANION: compex.com/uk/
Igloo → igloocoolers.com/
Kecks → https://kecks.co.uk use code THERIDECOMPANION for 10% off
Feedback Sports: feedbacksports.com
WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://uk.worx.com/aff/theridecompanion/
HKT Products → 10% off with code PODCAST at hktproducts.co.uk


Follow
The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House