The Brake Magazine Podcast

The Dakar Rally 2022 Pre Race Podcast - Bonus Episode

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 09:00:01 GMT

Wooo! Dakar is back. The antidote to grey winter days is here. For the next three weeks I'm gonna spend a lot of time with my laptop open on the tracking page whilst I work, refreshing like crazy and crossing my fingers for our main man Si Hewitt!

In the podcast we talk about all the ket talking points about the 2022 edition of the Dakar, and cover some of Ray's questions on the previous post about the T7 project. Over the next few weeks we'll be doing a fiar bit of Dakar related chat on the Discord server so if you're keen to ask question or send us stuff see please don't hesitate.

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Episode #020 - How to take better travel and adventure photos w/ Isaac Johnston

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:00:35 GMT

Photography and capturing memories is a huge part of modern existence. We all do it, nearly daily for most of us. There is a huge difference between a snapshot and an image that takes you back to a moment, that evokes a memory and a feeling.

Photography can also be an incredibly rewarding part of the process too, It complex, engrossing and the end product lasts a lifetime. In this podcast, our guest is Isaac Johnston, a professional outdoor, adventure and lifestyle photographer. His work is simple, clean and feels incredibly real.

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Episode #019 - How clothing is designed for Motorcycle Riding w/ REV'IT'sRod Macintyre

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 08:00:41 GMT

Designing, developing and improving motorbike kit must be a thankless task. The kit I want vs what is possible often seems a million miles apart and the process of trying to get to where we as end users want our kit to be, must be tricky.

This weeks guest is Rod Macintyre, a Senior Apparel Product Designer at REV'IT. Over the last few years we've seen some increasingly progressive designs and ideas coming from the Dutch brand, from award winning protection to the wild but incredibly functional Expedition H20 boot. I've been fortunate enough to use some of those products and fall in love with their approach.

It's also sparked a conversation with REV'IT that led to this podcast, where we talk about how and why REV'IT approach product design, where the ideas come from and how they tackle the endless challenges from material science to sizing for a global market.

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Episode #018 - How To Make and Plan Routes w/ Si Hewitt and Si Pavey

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 08:00:12 GMT

For a really long time I've been lucky enough ride with people who are great at making and planning rides. While I spend most of my time worrying about the riding, the shots we're getting and how the bike I'm riding is working, planning the route hasn't been a priority.

As I'm starting to explore the new area that I'm based in, I've realised I don't know anything. I'm a complete novice and it's tricky. In this episode we're breaking down all the elements of finding, prepping and planning your routes for your rides.

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Episode #017 - How are motorcycles designed and developed? w/ BMW's Ulli Ast

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 08:00:30 GMT

Right back at the beginning of season one of the podcast, before Covid and all the other jazz, I did a podcast about the choices motorcycle brands make and why they make them, with my friend Chris Northover. It was fascinating and allowed us to tackle some really tricky questions, the type of questions we've all sat around wondering.

This podcast is a direct follow on from that, tackling the hurdles and challenges of producing a motorcycle from scratch. Our guest is Uli Ast, a member of the Product Design team at BMW Motorrad. In this episode we cover the who, what and why of the production process from developing the idea to arriving at an end product.

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Episode #016 - Are bikes too heavy, is the new Harley going to be good?

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT

This week's podcast is returning to the subject of the internet and some its wisdom. We talk about one of the most regular comments I receive on videos, the new Harley and why it's so damn interesting and how it compares in every way to the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R.

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Episode #015 - Suspension and how to make it work w/ Chris Hockey

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 07:00:11 GMT

I'm a self-confessed suspension obsessive. I recognised my issue a few years back and have since learnt to ride around the problem but I'm a fettler at heart. I like understanding it and I like making my bike handle as best as it can.

However, when it comes diving inside suspension, I'm no more clued up that the next person. Like most complex skills with layers to understand, suspension takes years of dedication and skill to develop an understanding of. The dozens of variables are overwhelming.

Chris Hockey is one of those expert level suspension tuners. He's rare. With skill on the tools and skill on the bike, Chris has created a unique position where he can feel what the bike is doing and understand how that translates into the suspension. Over the years I've ridden dozens of his bikes and it has consistently impressed me that he he take something so mediocre and make it work so damn well.

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Episode #014 - Traveling through Iraq and Afghanistan w/ Billy Ward

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 07:00:16 GMT

Throughout the last 20 years Iraq and Afghanistan have had a rough time. War torn, broken and painted into our memories as places not to go. This week's guest, Billy Ward, decided that's exactly where he should go.

Billy is a character full of larger than life stories that are not larger than his life. With his intrepid friend and filmmaker Claudio Von Planta of Long Way Up fame, the pair documented their trips into the war zone of Northern Iraq and Afghanistan. The podcast touches on that experience, on how a project like that comes together and why Billy chooses to go to extremes with his holiday choices.

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Episode #013 - Discussing internet things w/ Si Pavey

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 07:00:06 GMT

The internet is full of wisdom. As a Youtube channel, I get literally thousands of comments a month asking for advice, feedback and telling me I'm wrong. Those topics vary massively but throughout some themes rise to to the top.

In this episode we break down the regularly asked points, such as "What about bar risers?" and "That GS is a pig". It makes for interesting conversation and was mildly cathartic.

This series is something I'd love to add in as a more regular feature so if you've got any questions and suggestions I'd love to hear them!

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Episode #012 - How crash protection is made w/ AltRider CEO Jeremy Lebreton

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Whenever you sit down with a real engineer, I find you quickly realise just how little you know. This stands for most professions but in some areas these things stand out as a little more obvious but what catches me off guard about motorcycles is that quite often simple parts take a substantial amount of thought.

To some degree, adventure bike protection is quite simple. You can make rudimental parts of out bent pipe and stick them together. However, the bigger your company gets, the more complex the process of both design and manufacturing gets. For me this has always been a fascinating conversation. A few years back I did an interview with part of the Ducati design team and this follows on from that. It's all about asking why and how!

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Episode #011 - Inside the Dakar Rallye 2021 w/ Chris Evans

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 07:00:59 GMT

Dakar. It's easily one of the most closed off sporting events on the planet. By nature it's hard to get inside and the organisers, ASO keep everything close to their chest. To kick off the second season of the podcast we're going inside the Dakar with Chris Evans, one of the few British staff members on the race.

His grasp of the French language and genial nature have allowed Chris rare access to the race over the last 25 years. I asked him literally everything I've wanted to know about the goings on of the Dakar, every question that was left over from '21 edition of the racer and more.

For more Chris Evans and to go riding with him visit - https://sport-adv.com/

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Episode #010 - How to sail the Pacific on a GS w/ Dylan Wickrama

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 14:09:27 GMT

Dylan Wickrama's story is an incredible one. Mid-way through travelling the world, Dylan decided he wanted to skirt the Darien Gap in a non-traditional way. He build a raft with his GS as the main driving force and sailed hundreds and hundreds of kilometres from Panama to Columbia. As well diving into his story, in this Episode we ask the question you all want to know; HOW? How do you build a raft from a GS. Does that work? Where does it not work?

If you want to read or watch about Dylan's fantastic story you can do so on his website - https://www.ride2xplore.com/english/

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This is the final episode of Season One of the Brake Magazine Podcast. If you want to listen to newer episodes come to the Brake Magazine Patreon Page - https://ww.patreon.com/brakemagazine

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Episode #009 - How to get into Dirt Bikes w/ Chris Birch

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 07:00:56 GMT

When it comes to getting into dirt bike riding, whether you're fresh to riding or transitioning from Street & Adventure stye riding there is a ton to learn. Dirt bikes are fickle, flighty race derived machines that need some series learning to understand. For this episode we linked up with Hard Enduro legend Chris Birch to break down the lessons he feels are most important for you dirt bike journey.

To learn from Chris visit - www.saynotoslow

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Episode #008 - How to use tiny bikes for Adventure Riding w/ Nathan Millward

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 17:00:04 GMT

Riding from Sydney to London on a 3 speed, 110cc scooter will teach you a lot. Repeating the task in America will teach you even more. Nathan Millward bought a posty bike, threw a basket on the front and rode back to the UK from Australia, in regular clothes without anything fancy.

He's made an art form out of travelling via the small, affordable route and he's a huge proponent of living within your means. However, there is a lot to be learnt about how to make that process survivable, enjoyable and reasonable. You can join Nathan for a weekend ride out in Devon on one of his collection of small, affordable adventure bikes.

https://www.dorothysspeedshop.com/

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Episode #007 - How to get started with riding rallies w/ Simon Pavey

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:00:55 GMT

There isn't much at this point that Simon Pavey doesn't know about Rallies. He's ridden a ton and started exactly where you are now; with no idea. We're currently blessed with more Rally events than has ever been, especially on main land Europe. They're some of the best value, most enjoyable rides your can do in a week long holiday and in this episode we pick Simon's brains about every single step of the process to get across the finish line.

It's an awesome, fascinating episode of the podcast and hopefully leaves you with a bundle of great info. If you'd like to know more about Simon and his legendary training school, Off Road Skills head to the website below.

https://www.offroadskills.com.

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Episode #006 - How to be a better adventurer w/ Isaac S Johnston

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:00:01 GMT

This weeks episode is all about enjoying, embracing and not getting eaten when out in the wilds of the world. Our guest is super nice guy, professional adventure photographer and outdoorsman Isaac Johnston. As a Montanan born and bred, Isaac has grown up exploring the wilderness on foot, by horse, by motorcycle and spends over 100 days a year in a tent. His speciality has become finding the fun in every situation, turning discomfort into enthusiasm and figuring out how to always enjoy your free time.

If you want to see more of Isaac, his infectious enthusiasm and great story telling you can find him on his Instagram and Youtube channel.

http://www.instagram.com/isaacsjonston

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCStM5oS1pVNSqLvcqgWLCSg/featured

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Episode #005 - How to be a better traveller w/ Chris Wilthuis

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:04:31 GMT

Chris Wilthuis is highly experience and comfortable traveller. A full time tour guide, Chris has a comfort and fluidity when travelling that helps him drop into foreign cultures and environments with a liquid ease. We sat down to ask him how and why he helps clients and himself to break down the barriers and get the most from traveling the world.

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I sincerely apologise for the poor audio quality of this episode. We're not really sure what happened.

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Episode #004 - How To Finish The Dakar Rally w/ Patsy Quick

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 09:29:12 GMT

The Dakar Rally is an event the captures the imagination like no other. It's unique, adventurous and a true test of mind and body. With so much enigma around the event we sat down with the Patsy Quick, a Dakar finisher herself and the owner of the Desert Rose Academy. As well as running schools and events, she provides race support and guidance for people who wish to compete in rallies, from small european events to major competitions such as the Dakar and Eco Africa Race.

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Episode #003 - How to be a better off-road rider w/ Simon Pavey

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 09:28:46 GMT

There aren't many people who know more about teaching off-road motorcycling. Simon Pavey is the owner of the Legendary Off Road Skills school in South Wales, the same school that trained Ewan and Charley for Long Way Round. He's finished 8 Dakar Rallies, ridden all across the world and has spent 30 years teaching other people to ride better. We took a dive into what he thinks the common mistakes are and what you can do to improve.

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Episode #002 - Why do manufacturers make weird choices w/ Chris Northover

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:28:11 GMT

We've all sat around with friends, or in front of our keyboards and spurted out "Why don't they just fix that?" It could be suspension, weight, or fuelling. In this episode we look at why certain things happen, why they're not fixed and why certain brands repeat the same traits.

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Bonus Episode - How To Build The Perfect ADV Bike

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 09:44:57 GMT

Lyndon Poskitt knows a lot about building bikes. Basil, his KTM 690 Rally converted to adventure bike is a thing of beauty. It's custom beyond belief, detailed and considered. After hundreds of thousands of km's testing, travelling and racing multiple rallies, Lyndon knows about bike building and more importantly, guiding others on what bikes to buy and how to make them fit for purpose.

In this episode we look at what makes the right bike for you, what needs tweaking and what doesn't.

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