Welcome to "Shop Talk" – a series offering a behind-the-handlebars view into the lives, work, and passions of the extraordinary athletes and two-wheeled icons who inspire us daily.
In our first episode, we traveled to Llanfyllen, Mid Wales, with filmmaker Callum Philpott to profile builder and rider Sam "Hodgy" Hodgson at his compound, where he lives and builds with his partner, Veronique Sandler.
For those unfamiliar with Hodgy, he is one of the most charismatic and trailblazing builders in the scene today, renowned for his innovation and skillful use of topography in constructing dirt jumps. Since Hodgy and Veronique began working on the compound in 2022, it has garnered widespread acclaim in the jump community for its distinctive features and thoughtful integration with the natural environment. What started as a modest jump spot on the propertly named “Lucky Dip,” has rapidly evolved into a premier park known as “Maes Loonskie,” earning the honor of hosting the Monster Backyard Brawl.
To prepare for the event, Hodgy, Vero, and Oscar Powell dedicated all winter and spring to designing and building the venue and its features, weather permitting. While capturing the park’s progress was a primary goal for Callum, the videographer also spent over three months documenting the characters who rode the spot and exploring the motivations and influences that have shaped Hodgy into the rider and builder he is today.
Follow along, and stay tuned for our next episode…
