Josh Bryceland on the Downtime Podcast: The Story So Far

May 22, 2018
by Downtime Podcast  
Sven Martin

Josh Bryceland - The Story So Far
Words Chris Hall // Photos Sven Martin




There’s something special about Josh Bryceland. Ever since he arrived on the mountain bike scene he has brought something unique to the party. His laid-back attitude, incredible style, huge grin and unmistakable looks have proved infectious, and as a result, he’s earned a place in the hearts of many fans.

In the off-season of 2016, Josh announced that he would be leaving the downhill world cup behind, much to the shock and dismay of his followers. However, Josh wasn’t going away, in fact, anything but! 2017 saw a more enlightened Josh making forays into the Enduro World Series, Crankworx, and Fest Series, as well as being involved in multiple filming projects and creating more fresh content with the 50to01crew. All this meant we got to see more of that infectious grin than ever before.

Manizales Colombia Enduro World Series 2. Sven Martin

But how did we get here? Where did it all start? What really drove the decision to leave downhill, what’s next, and what does Josh think about the state of mountain biking today? These questions have been on my mind for some time, so when I got the opportunity to visit Josh on his houseboat, moored in a quiet marina on the outskirts of Manchester, I jumped at the chance.

Josh popped on the kettle and we sat down with a cup of tea (with hemp milk, of course) for a good old-fashioned chinwag. In a wide-ranging conversation and the most in-depth interview with Josh so far, we cover his childhood, riding with Peaty, sports psychology, winning the World Cup overall title, why he decided to quit downhill and plenty more. So grab a drink, sit back, relax and listen to the story of Ratboy’s journey so far.

You can also listen by searching for ‘Downtime Podcast’ on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play, or on our website http://www.downtimepodcast.com/josh-bryceland/

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143 Comments
  • 132 2
 Glad I'm from the north of England and I can understand him. Everyone else; good luck.
  • 37 1
 I'm french andI understand the english language prettywell. But this is Brycelandish language.
  • 9 2
 I'm not northern but I have no issues understanding Josh, I've heard accents that are far more difficult to understand
  • 7 5
 In other news, Jack Moir broke his collar bone today..... As for Ratboy, I can't understand him when I'm drunk OR sober.
  • 2 1
 @Waldon83: Yeah? Bummer.
  • 3 0
 @Waldon83: that's gutting, was looking forward to seeing how he'd go at Fort William!
  • 1 0
 And I was already looking forward to this...
  • 8 1
 Can we sub the podcast please?
  • 2 0
 @DC1988: I'm from Spain and I can tell it is not easy
  • 2 5
 I think pinkbike and Josh will make a great couple,,, looking forward to the wedding pics.
  • 2 0
 LOL! Please translate if you don't mind.
  • 7 0
 I don't know why, but he's totally easy to understand for me?
  • 1 0
 Huh - I've got the same BDAY as he does. We are odd Piscean Aries.
  • 1 0
 Im glad too you re from north of England and I hope you rest there mate! Cheers
  • 2 0
 I've never had a problem understanding him, but 30+ years of watching British TV probably helps.

I'm also from the southern US and strong accents are something I've always known.
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: that would be odd , your either piscean or arien ! 23 April makes him a arien !
  • 4 0
 @bilsmy: Translates into American as when the F*** wee going to get gearboxed V10 or Hightower?
  • 1 0
 I think that would be considered rasist if he was a black rat?
  • 1 0
 @Matt115lamb: He's March 23rd, no?

Joshua Antonio Torres Bryceland, known as Josh Bryceland (born 23 March 1990, in Manchester) is a professional downhill mountain biker, who lives in Higher Poynton, Cheshire, England.
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: sorry ..... but that still makes him an arien Wink
  • 1 0
 @Matt115lamb:

Right, technically by a couple of days. But we are Pisces-like in many ways, being on the cusp, hence the term Piscean. I barely believe in the stuff, but it has its merits and I am more like my Fish friends than my Ram friends.

If you are trying to say we are Aryan, that's some ish I don't fvck wit.
  • 2 0
 I can only understand him if I smoke a joint.
  • 66 0
 This is our first time featuring on Pinkbike... so I'd love to know what you all think to the podcast once you've had a chance to listen. Hopefully it's something a bit different and brings you some good insight into this awesome sport! Enjoy...
  • 7 4
 This is nice if I could understand anything
  • 13 0
 Great work. Couldn’t really ask for any more. Good, simple and relatable questions and then just letting the subjects speak openly and relaxed. I’ve been subbed a while and it’s all good stuff.
  • 5 0
 @ThomDawson: good to hear, thanks!
  • 11 0
 Best bike podcast out there for sure. Sound quality is rad and Chris your a great host. loved it for ages but just keeps getting better and better. Keep em coming! Id make a really original comment about not understanding Josh or that he should come back to DH racing. But a combo of using my ears to do listening and the fact Id rather a sound guy does what makes him happy than that which doesn't, means I cant make either comment. I hope that Chris and Josh keep doing what makes them happy. Ill keep listening and watching if you both do.
  • 7 0
 Chris I've been enjoying your podcast for a while now, would recommend it to any mountain biker. Great insight into the pro bikers world. Look forward to listening to ratboy later today on my commute home. Cheers!
  • 4 0
 @juansamwell: thanks man, kind words indeed... makes me happy!
  • 1 0
 @obiwankenobi: sweet, let me know what you think when you've had a listen...
  • 5 0
 @downtimepodcast: been enjoying the episodes since the start. Haven’t listened to the rat yet, but I’d echo everyone else in hoping the struggle to decipher him isn’t too difficult. Some podcasts use horrible cell phone connections and it ruins the show. Keep sound quality up. Content and questions are good. Keep pursuing those good guests and interviews in the sport. Keep asking all those questions we wanna hear. Enjoyed the Melamed interview and others.
  • 3 0
 I said I would give it a few minutes to see what it was all about, I was wishing for more after 1h 40. Top work, well done. Ratboy is a great interviewee, very honest and open.
  • 2 0
 @Rockydildoa: thanks, glad to hear you're a long time listener. Yeah sound quality is the hardest bit. This is a totally unfunded project (apart from selling a few t-shirts) so money for travel is non-existent. Luckily the internet means we can still chat to guests from all over the world, but sometimes the connection isn't perfect. So it's a balance, sometimes the sound isn't as good as I'd like, but at least we can speak to loads of awesome people. I'll do as many as I can face to face though, as it's way more fun and I can control the sound quality then!
  • 1 0
 @davefw: awesome, so happy to hear that! Glad you liked it, I could happily have gone on chatting with Josh for hours!
  • 2 0
 I've been listening since the beginning, lots of great episodes. Thanks for making it happen!
  • 1 0
 @Jlukac86: thanks, it's a pleasure!
  • 2 0
 Great work as always!
  • 1 0
 Really enjoyed listening. Particularly as it's Josh who is my favourite rider by a mile. Such a humble and cool persona. Keep 'em coming!
  • 1 0
 First one I've listened to. Subbed straight away afterwards and I'll definitely be listening to the past ones. I could have listened for hours. It just sounded like Josh was totally relaxed and giving great honest answers, credit to you as the interviewer. Thanks for going to the effort for us all.
  • 1 0
 @Soilsledding: cheers!
  • 1 0
 @Justmatthew: Good to hear. Yeah spending time with Josh was an absolute pleasure, top geezer. I'll do my best to keep putting them out.
  • 2 0
 @ollieF: welcome on board Ollie! Glad that you enjoyed the episode with Josh, and I hope you enjoy working your way through the back catalogue just as much.
  • 2 0
 Awesome work, more of this please!
  • 3 0
 @beast-from-the-east: glad you liked it! We've got 46 episodes in the back catalogue for you to catch up on if you've not already listened. Also got plenty more episodes coming your way!
  • 4 0
 @downtimepodcast I was genuinely hanging on every word from start to finish. I'm from the Southeastern USA and didn't have any trouble understanding him at all. Best Ratboy interview yet, for sure. So much respect for him as a racer/rider and all round human in general. Great piece! Keep them coming!!!
  • 3 0
 @tbell1979: I find that astonishing. I lived in his neck of the woods for years and I was struggling at times. Couldn't get the treble high enough on my phone...
His lack of polish is superb though. Says it like he feels it. No filters. Just like a funny mate in the pub.
  • 1 0
 Long time listener keep it up. Look forward to every episode.
  • 1 0
 @tbell1979: totally agree, he's a great guy to listen to! Glad you liked it, and we'll definitely keep them coming!!
  • 1 0
 @experthucker: awesome to hear, thanks!! I'll keep doing my best!
  • 2 0
 I didn't know you guys existed! Very excited to listen to all your podcasts, just found them on Spotify
  • 1 0
 @cranny: happy days... get stuck in and spread the word!
  • 3 0
 Great job man, your hosting skills are solid. You’re cadence and timing are good and when you do talk it’s pertinent and concise. Welldone.
  • 1 0
 @Sponger: thanks for the kind words. I'm definitely learning and hopefully improving with each episode! Glad you enjoyed it.
  • 1 0
 Great interview, good questions and nice you have good background knowledge of the industry, but for me the quality is hard to listen to. I tried to listen before at work and I couldn't. I managed too with this one because I really wanted to hear it, but I find there is way too much low end and I have to turn it up really loud to listen. Then the volume can spike at times when someone raises their voice and it's deafening. I EQ the low end right off and boost the mid and treble to make it more intelligible. If you could fix that then it's good.
  • 2 0
 @clarky78: I have to say i thought the sound levels were absolutely fine. Maybe your set up is off?
  • 1 0
 @clarky78: thanks for the feedback. I do EQ to take out the low and and boost mids and treble currently. Do you have a recommended roll off frequency for the low end? I'm happy to give it a try and see how it sounds.
  • 1 0
 Great podcast - your interview style creates a super relaxed vibe, you ask good questions and you get meaningful answers. Definitely feel like I saw sides of Ratboy beyond what the media / marketing portrays. Thanks for this!

Subscribed!
  • 1 0
 @jaydubmah: awesome! That's exactly what I set out to achieve, so the fact that you feel that is great, thanks for taking the time to comment.
  • 26 1
 He was the next Shaun palmer. A DH rockstar party animal champ. Inspirational! Still sorely missed from DH.
  • 26 0
 Once piece of advice for your younger self?......Scrub the bridge!
  • 3 0
 ha ha, love it!
  • 21 1
 Oh god a lot of people will need a transcript here
  • 5 0
 Other than some of the Brit Slang, I had no problem understanding The Rat.
  • 15 0
 "His laid-back attitude, incredible style, huge grin and unmistakable looks have proved infectious, and as a result, he’s earned a place in the hearts of many fans."

I would add inability to speak any known language to that list Wink
  • 9 0
 downtimepodcast that was the shit stunning interview asking all the right questions can't believe it took so long to spit out Semenuk, sure it was on everyones lips
  • 3 0
 cheers bro, really glad you enjoyed listening!
  • 1 0
 I thought he might have gone for Hans Rey, Martyn Ashton or another trials guy. Surely he's rode with Danny before, both being SC riders?
  • 6 0
 Excellent, really enjoyed that. Josh is actually really articulate I think. I've got the same Manc drawl and it's one of those accents that sometimes sounds a bit dopey to outsiders, it's a bit nasally for some. Any non UK folk struggling with it I'm sure there are YouTube clips of Liam and Noel Gallagher to get a feel for it!

Loads of interesting insight in the interview, his dad owning the marina! the influence of brendawg, the amazing 2014 season, his attitude going into hafjel, the bridge jump, his enlightenment and soul searching during his recovery, his thoughts on enduro (he's a fan), loosefest, Rankin, steel city etc etc etc

Great effort, really enjoyed it. Seems to be a lot easier doing a face to face interview rather than over phone? I've only recently begun subscribing and enjoyed the Chris ball, Phil atwill and cy cotic interviews. I'll listen to them all and recommend them

Nice one. Josh is a lovely lad, I wish him all the best and I've got a feeling he'll be around the MTB scene for a long time
  • 1 0
 Well put.
  • 1 0
 Thanks, that's great to hear. Totally agree that face to face is better, and easier for me too! It's just quite limiting in who I can speak to that way. So it's a bit of a balance, hopefully we've got the balance just about right!
  • 4 0
 Sorry, this page went live before it was scheduled to, so the webpage on our site wasn't up... It's sorted now, so that should fix any 404 errors. Hope you enjoy listening to Josh!
  • 7 0
 The first 5 minutes were hard, but you start getting onto the accent.
  • 7 0
 Ha! Yeah it's kinda like drinking a new scotch, at first you're trying to figure out what the hell is going on but then the more you drink the more everything starts to make sense.
  • 6 2
 Ratty as a podcast? Oh my!! Nobody can understand a word he says... But watch him ride and that cheerful grin and you are hooked. Ratty Fan
  • 2 0
 Really impressed with the quality, especially given it's a hobby. Also really like the format, the longer, slower conversation is much more interesting than chasing soundbites. How about some more technical interviews, you've got one with Cotic, how about some similar interviews with other manufacturers?
  • 2 0
 it's like you read my mind...
  • 6 0
 Cheers to Ratty... he's an insightful guy living his dream
  • 2 0
 Is there some backstory with all the Syndicate guys taking shots at Gwin? Ratty seems to elude to it here, and Peaty took a wide open shot at Gwin in his “25 Years of World Cups” interview, over something Gwin said like 5 years ago in his early twenties (about not needing racing and having other things he’d like to do in his life as well, and has since said he’d like to keep riding as long as possible). You’d think, with the way things have gone for Rat, that he’d have related to that statement, and after he said in this interview he didn’t like the part about racing of siding with friends and wanting to beat the other guys, or see your friends beat them. Seems so odd to me, and honestly a bit petty from guys who seem otherwise to be seriously good blokes. Fantastic interview, love Rat’s vibe and energy for life and riding!
  • 2 0
 Ugh, allude, why does the edit function disappear so quickly?!
  • 3 0
 @catfish9797: edit function disappearing is such a hassle. Pinkbikes web functionality would've been state of the art in like 1999.
  • 2 0
 @catfish9797: Thought he was talking about Gee. There were a couple of... incidents.
  • 2 0
 @BenPea: like when rat swung his dingaling at gee after beating him at a race. I personally thought the rowdiness was awesome and totally in character for rat. Fat thumbs down to whoever the Pinkbike author was that put it under the "bad month for rat" in good month bad month. I understand mountain biking will never be as renegade/grassroots as it was, but we dont condemn it in hockey and other pro sports and it kinda bums me that we condemn it here.
  • 3 0
 I don't think he was referring to Gwin, but possibly a couple of other British racers who seem to take things seriously. That said, all of the riders I've encountered at races (Windham twice) were pleasant to talk to and tolerant of a fan usually 10 years or more older than they are.

Gwin is just as laid back, but in a different way.
  • 4 0
 What a lovely, articulate and insightful young man.His honesty,openess and humour really shone through in a very entertaining interview.
  • 2 0
 Minaar is a bully, LOL.

If I recall correctly, he said he was scared to race down Ft. Bill, not scared to ride down after his ankle injury. I think if Sc doesn't put the pressure on him to podium, maybe he'd race a few DH events to just go down and steeze it out some. Not fair to to he other ambitious racers, but he all but admitted he is a lifestyle athlete now, so why not?

I'd like to have heard more stories about his other support staff such as Kathy and Doug. I liked hearing about his thoughts on the HT he rides and the changes of the V10 over the years, so more bike checky things like that.

This podcast was excellent, gonna check out more of them- thanks PB & Downtime!
  • 2 0
 Thanks, glad you enjoyed it... plenty more to come!
  • 7 1
 What?
  • 4 0
 for those that didn't understood the podcast, Ratboy is for Gearbox, next santa cruz bike must have gearbox.
  • 3 1
 Excellent interview/conversation with Josh - I completely understand his leaving the race scene. His matter of fact straight on candor is refreshing and insightful. Carry on mate.
  • 2 0
 Thanks, and I totally agree, love Josh's open approach to life.
  • 1 0
 "You know London...Fish, chips, Mary Poppins, Bad food, worse weather...London!" "Does anyone speak English in that country, I thought they spawned the damn language"........................for those that don't know this is a quote from movie Snatch. A very bad requote
  • 3 0
 "you can invest so fokk'n heavily into this thing, and then you get this thing and you're still just you...you're still the same person".
  • 2 0
 I like the bit on the gearbox. It would be nice to eliminate worry about hitting a rear der. Thanks for the interview, enjoyed it.
  • 4 0
 I could listen to Rat talk for hours....wait it was an hour and half ok
  • 4 0
 01:27 - JB for gearboxes! Yes!!!
  • 4 0
 Fokkn' proper podcast mate.
  • 1 0
 Thanks!!
  • 3 0
 Fooking awesome. Wish that interview went on longer. Chilled, insightful and aye, good stuff.
  • 1 0
 Great podcast - really loved his insight into other riders. This is a guy who when he hit his purple patch in DH looked so wild, and yet here he is in awe of other rider's style and skills.
  • 1 0
 Stoked that you enjoyed it... Josh's enthusiasm is infectious eh!
  • 2 0
 Nice vibes comin in my head when i was listen this long journey! Respect and peace ma men!
  • 1 0
 nice one, good vibes all round!
  • 3 0
 oida wie immer versteh i garnix :-)
  • 1 0
 Half the fun of listening to Josh is hearing him speak. My brain automatically goes into his accent when I think of him - I get so confused.
  • 2 0
 Such a legend, was a pleasure meeting and having a chat in Newcastle when you were in Aus mate. Keep rippin and having fun
  • 4 3
 Anybody out here who can tell us, why he left DH racing? His accent is so hard to understand...
  • 3 0
 I havent listened to the whole thing yet but on a previous interview on the 50:01 channel he said he wanted to stop flying tonnes of stuff half way round the world and going through ~20 sets of tyres (plus testing) just for a 4 minute race run down a bike park.
  • 5 1
 It was mainly because he lost the desire and the killer instinct though. Other factors were probably spinning around in his head too, but you've either got the hunger or you haven't. You can't fake it in WC DH. Like Manon.
  • 3 1
 @gibbon-on-an-orange: that is valid until you see him doing the same travel around around the world for EWS and video shoots. He may not test /use quit as many tires. However, I would hardly call his current lifestyle environmentally 'friendly'. I believe he was mainly just burnt out. Nothing wrong with that.
  • 3 0
 @bman33: definitely. His attitude towards the ews racing seems a lot more laid back, and you could argue that you get a lot more fun riding in during an ews round than at a world cup, so a laid back fun atmosphere plus some awesome trail riding = a happy rat.
  • 3 0
 Cruising the world, exploring new areas and trails, racing a bit, hitting festivals, meeting tons of new people, making vids with the boys, all while burning plenty of weed sounds like a more attractive and laid back deal. He still creates mega exposure for his sponsors in a way that more consumers can relate to than the WCDH circuit. Props to him for figuring it out as I’m sure their are plenty out there who would love that life as opposed to the grind of the WC.
  • 2 0
 Great interview, such a sound bloke…
  • 2 0
 Dude has more fun that anyone on a bike!
  • 2 0
 He's the only bloke in mountain biking that interests me.
  • 2 0
 I wanna see what car he's using for driftin!
  • 3 0
 Pretty sure its a large (read "not a 3 series") BMW from the mid 90s.
  • 1 0
 www.instagram.com/p/QZnT2MGbCl/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=vrqws906omqw
  • 3 0
 Sounds pretty sound.
  • 2 0
 That's it. Mtb used to be an adventure.....
  • 5 3
 Was this... english?
  • 5 1
 Yes.
  • 3 0
 Yes just as much as Swiss German is German
  • 3 2
 Subtitles or headaches Smile
  • 2 1
 Not translating this one boys
  • 1 0
 'Hemp milk'?? How does that work then....
  • 5 0
 it's made from soaking and grinding hemp seeds... works pretty good in a cup of Yorkshire tea!
  • 3 2
 @downtimepodcast: milk is made by mammary glands
  • 4 1
 @Y12Sentinel: You can milk anything with nipples
  • 1 0
 @Dav82 Almonds also have nips, but these Alt 'milks' are mostly water.
  • 2 0
 @endlessblockades: so is regular milk, bud.
  • 1 0
 @bmck: good point
  • 4 0
 @delawhere: Robert De Niro has nipples. Could you milk him?
  • 3 0
 Dave Lister asked the same question on Red Dwarf, when informed the tea was made with dogs milk...as it was always the last to go 'cause no bugger would drink it! Is The Rat Arnold J Rimmer's nemesis, on a bike?!
  • 1 0
 And I mean WC events, not just Cranworx and Steel City, etc..
  • 1 0
 Yes when wee going to see a gearbox V10 or hightower?
  • 4 3
 I need subtitles
  • 2 1
 translation please
  • 3 0
 Lamento que contratamos un andaluz para la traducción y resultó aun menos comprensible.
  • 1 0
 @acali: You win the internet today!
  • 2 2
 404 error
  • 1 2
 where can i download subtitles?
  • 3 0
 If you are using the Chrome browser, install the Poynton Extension.







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