Andrew Dodd aka Doddy is the podcast! Doddy is a man who has lived through every era of mountain bike media, from the golden age of print magazines at MBUK to YouTube with Global Mountain Bike Network and now working inside the industry with Mondraker. We dive deep into the evolution of mountain biking, how bike media really works behind the scenes, and why the modern bike industry might be overcomplicating things. Doddy shares untold stories from his time testing thousands of bikes, what it was like reviewing products when magazines could make or break brands, and how the rise of YouTube, TikTok and influencers has completely changed the landscape. We also get into why modern bikes might be 'too much', the truth about bike reviews (then vs now), the explosion of content and how it affects riders, e-bikes, gravel bikes and industry trends, burnout from working in bike media, what actually makes mountain biking fun and much more. This is one of the most insightful conversations we've had about the bike industry — from someone who's seen it all, we hope you enjoy it! Episode Sponsors:- - Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk - WORX → 15% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at uk.worx.com - Manta Sleep: Get 10% off with code theridecompanion at https://tinyurl.com/theridecompanion - Kecks → 10% off with code THERIDECOMPANION at https://kecks.co.uk 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 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