Sam „Hodgy“ Hodgson
 

If there’s no line, you build one. 

No plan B. Just dirt. 

“If an opportunity doesn’t knock, you build a door.” 

For Sam, that’s not a quote – it’s a way of doing things. Growing up on the Isle of Wight, with no parks, no lines, no spots, building wasn’t a choice. It was the entry ticket. Hard work was just part of life. It was everywhere. In the ground. In the hands. In the head. And that’s exactly where his riding style was shaped: raw, straight-up, no shortcuts. 

From early on, it was never about finding the perfect spot. It was about making one. If you want to ride, you grab a shovel first. Simple as that. 

Wales, garden and gnomes 

Today, Sam lives in Wales with his girlfriend Vero. What they’ve built there isn’t a compound. Not a playground. Definitely not a training facility. It’s their garden. With jumps. 

Everything feels light-hearted. Playful. Almost casual. No over-the-top monster lines, no pure “bigger, further, gnarlier” mindset. More like a place that’s grown naturally over time – as if two garden gnomes actually live there, keeping things dialed and running smoothly. 

That’s what makes it special. This spot isn’t just home. It’s a stage. For progression. For sessions. And for one of the most respected MTB events out there. 

Full Party, straight out of the garden 

Right in the middle of the jump garden: Sam’s GHOST POACHA Full Party. 

His setup: 

“I would say that it’s given me a lot of confidence. Like when you’re carving lips, doing whips and flat spins, it feels super stable and it just goes wherever I want to put it. Normally I’d have to play around with it loads, but straight out of the factory I feel completely at one with it.” 

Exactly how it should be. 

Dreaming isn’t enough. 
When Sam sees something in his head, he builds a way to get there. With time, effort, and a clear idea of how riding is supposed to feel. 

No plan B. 
Just lines waiting to be built.