The UK Mongoose team consisting of Paul Ryan and James Ivett went over to South Africa to meet up with the South African Mongoose riders, Greg Illingworth and Stu Louden. Also, Jason Phelan tagged along with the guys to film for his recent Wethepeople frame promo video. We also had our photographer Nathan Beddows on the trip who shot the trip for the mag (issue 160).

We asked James Ivett to tell us what went on behind the scenes on the trip – things that we wouldn’t ever hear about. Here’s some ‘Things You Wouldn’t Know” on the UK Mongoose trip to South Africa…

“Jason Phelan and I took a day trip to London after missing our flight due to an expensive mistake involving tools and hand luggage.”

“Jason, Stu and I were dubbed “Team Retard” by Mr Will Evans for no apparent reason.”

“Nathan Beddows (Ride UK photographer) took 3 attempts to commit before he did the bungee jump and then blamed it on the storm that was brewing. It was quite an intense moment.”

“Me and Jason met a Zulu warrior princess (beast) in the hottest tub at the back packers bar. She told us the craziest thing she had ever done was “smoked too much of the hubberly bubbly, got naked and got caught by the police”. She then followed Jay back to the room…”

“At the epic ditch spot, there were these massive bugs called ‘Shongololo’s’ everywhere. When you touched them they curled up into a spring and if you picked them up they shat all over the place including Beddows camera bag.”

“Paul Ryan completed Zelda on his DS 58 times between shutting down spots and filming for sweetcorn adverts.”

“Nathan Beddows and Will Evans (the filmer on the trip), will talk in hash tags 80% of the time and also do Jeremy Clarkson impressions for everyone.”

Look’s like the guys had a fun trip! Be sure to check out the video out again even if you have seen it…

Photos by James Ivett.