Hi! My name is Volodymyr, and I’m the person behind the Joy Ride blog. I’ve been into bikes for over 14 years — from building my first custom rigs and working in bike repair shops to opening my own workshop, where I’ve been hands-on for the past 6 years.
I love not only riding mountain trails but also fixing and tuning bikes.
Over the years, I’ve gained a ton of experience. I understand how a bike and all its components work. I know how a properly functioning bike should feel — and I can immediately tell when something’s off.
That’s why I created Joy Ride — so you can spend less time Googling and more time riding.
I started my cycling journey back in 2011, riding local mountain trails. At the time, I was building bikes from parts I found at flea markets. Like many others in Ukraine back then, I was fixing my bike in the yard and clumsily tuning brakes and derailleurs.
After gaining some hands-on experience, I worked in local bike workshops where I serviced all kinds of bikes.
Eventually, I opened my own bike repair shop and dove into marketing. I handled SEO for a bike store, ran ads on Google and social media. These skills came in handy for running this blog and helping friends promote their own businesses.
In 2025, I relocated to Ireland, where I’m now exploring local MTB trails and the biking culture overall.
I started my cycling journey back in 2011, riding local mountain trails. At the time, I was building bikes from parts I found at flea markets. Like many others in Ukraine back then, I was fixing my bike in the yard and clumsily tuning brakes and derailleurs.
After gaining some hands-on experience, I worked in local bike workshops where I serviced all kinds of bikes.
Eventually, I opened my own bike repair shop and dove into marketing. I handled SEO for a bike store, ran ads on Google and social media. These skills came in handy for running this blog and helping friends promote their own businesses.
In 2025, I relocated to Ireland, where I’m now exploring local MTB trails and the biking culture overall.
Eventually, I moved beyond my local trails. I started riding in bike parks and mountains across western Ukraine. The parks in Pylypets and Bukovel became my favorites. And every ride through the wild Carpathian trails was both a lesson in new terrain and a true test of endurance.
Those spots built my stamina, my technical base, and a deep respect for the trail — as a teacher. I learned how to properly set up suspension for different types of terrain, why tire pressure matters, and how to understand MTB physics to ride with skill, not just brute force. I also figured out how to choose the right protection and gear for safe and comfortable rides — whether in bike parks or backcountry tours.
It all started on my local trails, where I spent years sharpening my skills the hard way — without “manuals.” Nobody was talking about wet roots back then. Those backyard trails gave me a solid foundation! I learned how to feel the bike and control it with my body. I developed a sense for tire grip and started to understand how a bike behaves on different sections of the trail. That was the soil where everything else grew from.
That’s the experience I now share on Joy Ride — so anyone can ride with confidence, skill, and pure stoke, no matter their level.
This kind of riding naturally led me to become a bike mechanic. After all, once you start pushing your limits on the trail, you’ve got to service your bike — or it’ll bite back when you least expect it.
It all started on my local trails, where I spent years sharpening my skills the hard way — without “manuals.” Nobody was talking about wet roots back then. Those backyard trails gave me a solid foundation! I learned how to feel the bike and control it with my body. I developed a sense for tire grip and started to understand how a bike behaves on different sections of the trail. That was the soil where everything else grew from.
Eventually, I moved beyond my local trails. I started riding in bike parks and mountains across western Ukraine. The parks in Pylypets and Bukovel became my favorites. And every ride through the wild Carpathian trails was both a lesson in new terrain and a true test of endurance.
Those spots built my stamina, my technical base, and a deep respect for the trail — as a teacher. I learned how to properly set up suspension for different types of terrain, why tire pressure matters, and how to understand MTB physics to ride with skill, not just brute force. I also figured out how to choose the right protection and gear for safe and comfortable rides — whether in bike parks or backcountry tours.
That’s the experience I now share on Joy Ride — so anyone can ride with confidence, skill, and pure stoke, no matter their level.
This kind of riding naturally led me to become a bike mechanic. After all, once you start pushing your limits on the trail, you’ve got to service your bike — or it’ll bite back when you least expect it.
A Bike Mechanic with Hands-On Experience You Won’t Learn Online
After repairing hundreds of different bikes, I mastered the full range of technical work:
full bike servicing
fork and shock maintenance
hydraulic brake service and bleeding
hub, bottom bracket, and headset overhauls
transmission settings
wheel truing and custom wheelbuilding
suspension setup
component replacement and parts compatibility selection
After reaching a high level of craftsmanship, I realized I wanted to set my own quality standards. That’s when I decided to start my own business.
I wasn’t just fixing bikes anymore — I was taking full responsibility for every job and every client.
Not from manuals or scripts, but from real experience and in plain language, I know how to help someone choose the right part, plan an upgrade, or build a bike from scratch — so everything works perfectly.
At Joy Ride, I share practical guides — not “theory,” but real-world solutions that actually work.
My journey as a bike mechanic began when I tried fixing my own bike after a tough ride. Then it was a friend’s bike. At first, I used my grandfather’s old Soviet-era tools. And from there — things took off: dozens of repairs, hundreds of adjustments, and jobs at various bike workshops.
In those workshops, I learned to work fast and with precision — always taking full responsibility for the bike and care for the customer.
My journey as a bike mechanic began when I tried fixing my own bike after a tough ride. Then it was a friend’s bike. At first, I used my grandfather’s old Soviet-era tools. And from there — things took off: dozens of repairs, hundreds of adjustments, and jobs at various bike workshops.
In those workshops, I learned to work fast and with precision — always taking full responsibility for the bike and care for the customer.
After repairing hundreds of different bikes, I mastered the full range of technical work:
full bike servicing
fork and shock maintenance
hydraulic brake service and bleeding
hub, bottom bracket, and headset overhauls
transmission settings
wheel truing and custom wheelbuilding
suspension setup
component replacement and parts compatibility selection
After reaching a high level of craftsmanship, I realized I wanted to set my own quality standards. That’s when I decided to start my own business.
I wasn’t just fixing bikes anymore — I was taking full responsibility for every job and every client.
Not from manuals or scripts, but from real experience and in plain language, I know how to help someone choose the right part, plan an upgrade, or build a bike from scratch — so everything works perfectly.
At Joy Ride, I share practical guides — not “theory,” but real-world solutions that actually work.
The Other Side of Cycling
Running my own bike workshop didn’t just sharpen my repair skills — it also taught me how to promote a business.
I was responsible for:
SEO optimization of the shop’s website
setting up Google Ads and remarketing campaign
social media marketing (Instagram, Facebook)
creating valuable content that brought in traffic and clients
As a cyclist myself, I know how hard it is to find a mechanic you trust — and I understand how cyclists think when they’re searching online. I know what they’re looking for, what kind of words catch their attention.
I know how to build websites and pages that inspire trust — not just exist on the internet.
Now I use these skills here at Joy Ride, so that you can find me easily and get reliable, experience-based content that makes mountain biking more accessible.
The Other Side of Cycling
Running my own bike workshop didn’t just sharpen my repair skills — it also taught me how to promote a business.
I was responsible for:
SEO optimization of the shop’s website
setting up Google Ads and remarketing campaign
social media marketing (Instagram, Facebook)
creating valuable content that brought in traffic and clients
As a cyclist myself, I know how hard it is to find a mechanic you trust — and I understand how cyclists think when they’re searching online. I know what they’re looking for, what kind of words catch their attention.
I know how to build websites and pages that inspire trust — not just exist on the internet.
Now I use these skills here at Joy Ride, so that you can find me easily and get reliable, experience-based content that makes mountain biking more accessible.
I currently live in Ireland, exploring local MTB trails and getting immersed in the local bike culture.
Through this blog — Joy Ride — I share that experience with you. Honestly, accessibly, and without unnecessary theory. Everything I write is based on what works in real life, making mountain biking more approachable.
Practical articles for beginners and experienced riders
Tips and tricks for bike setup and maintenance
Checklists for components, tools, and gear
In-depth podcasts and downloadable PDFs
One-on-one advice tailored to your specific questions
I’ve walked the path of a rider, a mechanic, and a workshop owner — and I understand how real, rider-focused service works. It’s not just about doing quality work — it’s about timing, communication, and being able to explain things clearly.
One of the most valuable skills I’ve learned is understanding what a rider needs — even if they can’t quite put it into words themselves.
And I keep practicing! Besides daily mechanical work, I study technical manuals from manufacturers, read niche forums, and test tools and components on my own bike. I believe a good mechanic is someone who never stops learning — and I learn every single day.
I’ve walked the path of a rider, a mechanic, and a workshop owner — and I understand how real, rider-focused service works. It’s not just about doing quality work — it’s about timing, communication, and being able to explain things clearly.
One of the most valuable skills I’ve learned is understanding what a rider needs — even if they can’t quite put it into words themselves.
And I keep practicing! Besides daily mechanical work, I study technical manuals from manufacturers, read niche forums, and test tools and components on my own bike. I believe a good mechanic is someone who never stops learning — and I learn every single day.
I currently live in Ireland, exploring local MTB trails and getting immersed in the local bike culture.
Through this blog — Joy Ride — I share that experience with you. Honestly, accessibly, and without unnecessary theory. Everything I write is based on what works in real life, making mountain biking more approachable.
Practical articles for beginners and experienced riders
Tips and tricks for bike setup and maintenance
Checklists for components, tools, and gear
In-depth podcasts and downloadable PDFs
One-on-one advice tailored to your specific questions
Joy Ride isn’t another how-to article from the internet. It’s hands-on experience from a rider, mechanic, and real-world practitioner.
If you want to ride with more confidence, understand your bike better, or just get honest, no-fluff advice — you’re in the right place.
Feel free to write, comment, and ask questions.
This blog was made for you.
You are on the English version of this page. Go to the original version of the page to read in Ukrainian.
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