Nissan and podcaster The Ride Companion have kitted out a Nissan Primastar van as a mobile production support vehicle for remote areas.
Developed in collaboration with specialist LCV converter MTB Vans, the high-spec studio enables off-grid podcast and video recording with pro mountain bike riders and industry insiders.
The Ride Companion’s founders Davi Birks and Olly Wilkins will use the custom Primastar to help them produce shows whenever they’re away from their Surrey Hills studio, travelling the length and breadth of the UK to meet guests and ride the country’s best trails and bike parks, as well as attending national and international mountain bike races.
Based on a Primastar Tekna+ L1H1, the vehicle was given a full fit-out of the load area with bike and equipment storage and recharging, Starlink mobile Wi-Fi connectivity, a content editing workstation, water tank and pressure washer. Other modifications include off-road tyres and an LED light bar to help the team access and record from remote trails.
The conversion process, which took less than two weeks from start to finish, culminated with a custom vinyl wrap on the sides and rear of the van by MotoShack.
The Ride Companion co-founder Davi Birks said: “It’s sometimes tricky to get guests to the studio because world-class riders are so busy, but now we can take the show to them and record wherever we like. Vans are a massive part of mountain bike culture and our custom Primastar is so sick: it’s easy to drive, has all the features and space we need, so it’s the perfect way to transport all our bikes and kit. It’s The Ride Companion’s ultimate ride companion!”
MTB Vans founder and owner Joel Aindow commented: “This is the first Primastar we’ve worked on, but we’re very happy with the result: the quality is really solid, and the space is great for a short wheelbase van, so the conversion was straightforward, which is crucial when you’ve got loads of projects on the go. It’s definitely a good option for builds and great value compared to some brands.”
