The Downtime Podcast

Today we’re talking to Jake Atkinson, a rider who’s made a meteoric rise in the sport, despite growing up far from the perfect training grounds for what he’s now doing. From the trails of the Lake District to competing on the world stage, Jake’s story is one of trusting the process, leaning into the challenge, and making huge strides in a short space of time. We dig into how he’s done it, the lessons learned along the way, and where he’s heading next. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Jake Atkinson. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Jake on Instagram @jakeatkinson and find his latest edit here. Podcast Stuff Listener Offers Downtime listeners can now get 10% off of Stashed Space Rails. Stashed is the ultimate way to sort your bike storage. Their clever design means you can get way more bikes into the same space and easily access whichever one you want to ride that day. If you have 2 or more bikes in your garage, they are definitely worth chec

This week, I’m joined by Becci Skelton, a rider who proves that racing isn’t the only path to building a life on two wheels. From multi-day adventures in Madeira to coaching, creating content, and inspiring others, Becci has forged her own route through mountain biking, one built on passion, authenticity, and persistence. We dive into the highs and lows of that journey: from managing health challenges like haemochromatosis, to tackling huge physical feats like her Everest at Dyfi Bike Park and competing on Ninja Warrior. Becci shares how mental strength, community, and staying true to herself have helped her thrive and how she’s built a successful, supported riding career without following the traditional racing route. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s room in mountain biking to do things differently and still make it work, this one’s for you. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Becci Skelton. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Becci on Instag

This week we’re joined by Fox Racing's Head of Performance Cut and Sew, Keegan Reyfeldt to hear about their SpeedSuit RS which was launched last year and really got the internet talking. We’re also hearing about the development of their all new full face helmet, the Rampage RS with Senior Director of Merchandising, Jarred Law. Fox is keen to push the limits of technology to make us faster, safer and more comfortable. That is evidenced in these two products and this is a fascinating deep dive into what went into these two ground breaking offerings.  Hear how Fox worked alongside their athletes to redefine downhill race kit, the advantages it brings and how they are already looking to the next step. We find out how Fox decided current helmet safety standards weren’t keeping up with the increasing pace of the sport and how they remedied that whilst also significant reducing the weight of their full face offering. This episode really pulls back the curtain on what it takes to push the limits of riding ge

Red Bull Hardline has become the most extreme race in mountain biking, but the story of how it came to be? That’s something you’ve never heard like this before. Today, Dan and Gee Atherton sit down to share the real history behind Hardline. The secret test sessions, the build failures, the crashes no one saw, and the moments that almost shut the whole thing down. From a cheeky illegal trail in the Welsh mountains to the gnarliest track on the planet, this is the untold story of Red Bull Hardline. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Dan and Gee Atherton. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can watch Red Bull Hardline LIVE here on Red Bull TV on Sunday 27th July at 14:30 BST. Podcast Stuff Listener Offers Downtime listeners can now get 10% off of Stashed Space Rails. Stashed is the ultimate way to sort your bike storage. Their clever design means you can get way more bikes into the same space and easily access whichever one you want to ride that day. If

This week we’re catching up after a massive double-header in the Enduro World Cup. Val di Fassa and La Thuile delivered everything we love about the sport: big mountains, tight racing, and a few surprises along the way. Joining me to break it all down are two riders who know exactly what it takes to perform at the top, Morgane Charre and Greg Callaghan. We get into what those Italian rounds were really like from the inside, from pushing through injuries and dialing in recovery strategies, to the chaos and buzz of night stages, and the emergence of some exciting new talent in both the men’s and women’s fields. We also took a moment to step back and reflect on the state of Enduro as a whole — where the sport is right now, what’s working, and why this season has felt like a positive shift, both on and off the bike. This one’s got insight, honesty, and a bit of that good race-weekend energy, so sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Morgane Charre and Greg Callaghan. You can also watch t

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Andorra post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please conside

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Andorra pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please consider supporting u

From the spark of an idea in an engineer’s mind to becoming one of the most talked about innovations in mountain biking, this is the story of OChain. Today, we go behind the scenes with Fabrizio Dragoni, the creator of the OChain system, and James Alberts, MTB Category Director from SRAM, to find out how this radical concept became a reality and why SRAM saw enough potential to bring it under their wing. This is about passion, persistence, and pushing the boundaries of what a bike can feel like. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Fabrizio Dragoni and James Alberts. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find out more about OChain at ochain.bike. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Listener Offers Downtime listeners can now get 10% off of Stashed Space Rails. Stashed is the ultimate way to sort your bike storage. Their clever design means you can get way more bikes into the same space and easily access whichever one you want to ride that day. If you have

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our La Thuile post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please consi

From racing between the tape to calling the action from the booth, Josh Carlson has experienced mountain biking from every angle. In this episode, we dive into his unique journey from pro Enduro racer to one of the key voices in the sport's global broadcast. Josh shares what it’s like working behind the mic for Warner Brothers, how he connects with athletes and audiences, and why storytelling is at the heart of great coverage. We also get into the evolution of Enduro, the grind of balancing family life, racing and media, and what it takes to build a personal brand that truly represents the sport. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into broadcasting the sport we all love, so sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Josh Carlson. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Josh on Instagram @joshcarlson__ or on his YouTube channel here or website here. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Worx If you ride bikes, you need a Worx Hydroshot. It’s a cordless

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our La Thuile pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please consider supporting

Our Enduro World Cup debrief with Morgane Charre and Greg Callaghan after the first two rounds of the season proved to be really popular, so the team is back to discuss what went on in Loudenvielle and Leogang. Hear which top rider nearly didn’t make it to the first stage in Leogang, which rider has reverted to singing songs to calm the mood and who should we be watching out from from the upcoming crop of young, talented enduro racers. We’ll also discuss our thoughts on the sneak peak of Warner Brothers series, Grit and Glory, that we got to see in Leogang. There’s heaps of stories to dig into from rounds 3 and 4 of the 2025 Enduro World Cup, so sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Morgane Charre and Greg Callaghan. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Morgane on Instagram @morganecharre. Greg is @greg_callaghan on Instagram and you can find his YouTube channel here. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Worx If you ride bikes, you need a Worx Hydroshot

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Val di Sole post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please con

This week’s episode is a little different as it was recorded in front of a live audience. BOA invited me out to the Leogang World Cup and after the race we went to their office in Mondsee to record an episode with their supported athlete, Nina Hoffmann, in front of the BOA team. I want to say a huge thanks to BOA for inviting me over, it was great to meet the whole team and inspiring to see the focus and attention to detail that goes into the design of every product that features a BOA dial. After seeing that, it’s really no surprise that the products are so good. Nina literally just bounced back from the biggest crash of her life, off the top of the wall ride in Leogang. We’ll be hearing all about that crazy moment along with how Nina’s dealing with both the physical and mental side of recovery. Nina discusses some of the changes she’s made over the the winter, like bringing on a coach, getting to know a new mechanic and becoming a podcaster herself. It’s an honest, inspiring conversation with one of down

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Val di Sole pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please consider supporti

Hattie Harnden is one of the most versatile riders on the planet, and this year she’s taken a bold leap into downhill racing. In this episode, we dive into what drove that move and how it’s played out so far. Hear how Hattie’s adapted to a bike that’s wildly different from anything she’s ridden before, and how she’s found even more speed by refining her technique. Hattie shares the highs and lows of racing, the pressure of media attention, and what it feels like to finally belong. This is a raw, honest look at what it takes to evolve at the highest level of the sport. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this conversation with Hattie Harnden. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Hattie on Instagram @hatt1e_harnden. To be in with the chance of winning a set of Magura Gustav Pros and a Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT bike computer, fill out our audience survey here before the end of June 2025. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Wahoo Head to wahoofitness.com to check out Wahoo’s br

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Leogang post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please conside

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Loudenvielle post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please co

Today I'm joined by Cy Turner, the founder of Cotic, to find out more about one of the most commented on bikes of the year, their brand new Cotic eBike. It’s a bold move from a small, steel-focused brand known for doing things differently, and it’s certainly ruffled a few feathers. We dig into the design process, the engineering challenges, what made Cy take the leap into e-bikes and the thinking behind some of the key design decisions. We also chat about Cotic’s fresh new branding, what it means for the brand’s future, and how people have responded. This is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how innovation, great engineering, and a strong sense of identity come together to shape a product and a brand. So it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Cy Turner. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Cotic on Instagram @coticbikes and find them on YouTube here and see the full range at cotic.co.uk. To be in with the chance of winning a set of Magura

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Leogang pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, we'll be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as you probably know, the mountain bike industry isn’t in a great place right now and as a result, this series doesn’t have any brand support. The World Cup coverage is the most expensive thing I produce, as it often includes travel and I like to pay the guys for the expertise that they bring to the table. I honestly considered not running the series this year, but I love doing it and from what all of us involved have heard trackside from the fans, you love it to.  So I’ve decided to fund it myself, for now. But if this show means something to you, and you want to keep it going, then please consider supporting u