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

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.