Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’m on the ground in Maydena this week to experience the incredible trail network and to bring you content from Red Bull Hardline. So, following our World Cup style approach, you’ll be getting a pre and a post-race show from the event. 

For today’s pre-race show, we’re joined by the man behind Maydena Bike Park and Hardline Tasmania, Simon French, alongside racer, local legend and last years rider of the week, Dan Booker. We’ll be hearing about changes to the course, sneaky inside lines and what it’s really like to ride this beast.

We talk about some of the riders we’re excited to see on track, wether the world cup racers might be holding back a little to stay safe ahead of the season,  and how this track compares to the original Hardline in Wales. It’s the first big race of 2026 and there’s plenty to discuss. So sit back, hit play and check out this Hardline Tasmania pre-race show with Simon French and Dan Booker.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can find Maydena Bike Park on Instagram @maydenabikepark or their website maydenabikepark.com.

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania for making this episode possible. Tasmania is a dream MTB destination and you can find info on all their amazing riding spots here.

For more on the event itself, head to Red Bull TV here.

Podcast Stuff

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Nick Waygood / Red Bull Content Pool

Jackson Goldstone’s first two elite seasons weren’t straight forward, but in 2025 we really saw what he is capable of.

Coming back from injury, Jackson faced the pressure of expectation, the chaos of a packed race calendar, and the challenge of finding more speed while the rest of the field was doing the same. 

In this episode, he breaks down what actually went on behind the scenes, from mindset shifts and race-day decision making, to testing new bike parts mid-season and learning how to stay in control when momentum really starts to build.

We talk about chasing flow state, handling media and fan attention after both big wins and big losses, and why focusing on one race at a time became the key to his most complete season yet. It’s an honest look at what it takes to unlock the next level at the very top of downhill racing, from one of the best we’ve ever seen do it. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Jackson Goldstone.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can follow Jackson on Instagram @jacksongoldstone and on YouTube here.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

This episode is a paid partnership with One Up Components who helped us bring you this conversation. Check out their entire range of products over at oneupcomponents.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Sven Martin

For Axess Intense Factory Racing, the 2025 season was full of high highs, and some really low lows.

Injury. Uncertainty. Financial pressure. And moments behind the scenes that most race programmes never talk about publicly.

But those lows are exactly what pushed Joe Breeden and Olly Morris forward with new partners, a bigger budget, and an exciting new setup for 2026 as the Nukeproof Axess Racing team is born.

This is a conversation about pressure, vulnerability, and what it actually takes to keep a race team moving forward when everything’s on the line. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Joe Breeden and Olly Morris.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can find everything Nukeproof Axess Racing on Instagram @nukeproof_axess_racing and the Axess website is here and Axess Racing is on YouTube here.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

This episode is sponsored by Wahoo Fitness. Over the last few years, the Wahoo KICKR has become in invaluable part of my training. They’ve recently launched the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 to provide an incredible trainer with pro level features at entry level pricing. Check it out over at wahoofitness.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – @sursunbikeholidays

Mountain bike media has always been shaped by the riders, the bikes, and the culture around them. But right now, that landscape is changing faster than ever.

Today’s guest has seen that shift from the inside. Drew Rohde started his career at Decline, right at the heart of print media, before going on to found the independent mountain bike platform, Loam Wolf.

In this episode, Drew and I talk about how he made that jump, what it takes to build sustainable MTB media today, and whether the rise of platforms like Meta and AI content and search puts specialist MTB media at risk.

We also dig into what riders are actually asking for, how e-bikes have changed both coverage and audience expectations, and where Drew thinks bikes, and e-bikes in particular, are heading next.

This is a conversation about media, bikes, business, and the future of the sport we all care about. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Drew Rohde.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can find everything Loam Wolf at theloamwolf.com and on their YouTube channel here.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

This episode is sponsored by Wahoo Fitness. Over the last few years, the Wahoo KICKR has become in invaluable part of my training. They’ve recently launched the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 to provide an incredible trainer with pro level features at entry level pricing. Check it out over at wahoofitness.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Loam Wolf

For the last three months, I’ve been working on my nutrition with Chris Lowe, to do what a lot of us want to do… lose fat and build muscle. But I was very clear that this couldn’t come at the expense of not having enough energy to work, train and live life in general.

Honestly, the biggest surprise hasn’t been the results, it’s been how easy it’s been and the other benefits that have come alongside the fat loss. In this episode, Chris will be sharing the methodology that we’ve been following, to enable sustainable fat loss whilst maintaining energy and building healthy habits.

Find out how to periodise your nutrition to deliver what you need, when you need it. Hear how Chris approaches dialling in calorie deficit and why following Chris’ approach means you get the weight loss done once and never need to do it again.

Whether you’re riding bikes, training seriously, or just trying to feel better day to day, this is one of the most practical conversations I’ve had about nutrition. No extremes, no fads, just habits that actually work long term. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Chris Lowe.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can follow Chris on Instagram @chrislowenutrition, or at his website here. You can find more podcasts from Chris here.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

This episode is sponsored by Wahoo Fitness. Over the last few years, the Wahoo KICKR has become in invaluable part of my training. They’ve recently launched the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 to provide an incredible trainer with pro level features at entry level pricing. Check it out over at wahoofitness.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Chris Lowe