Ryan Leech Interview

[cam@nsmb.com]

A little fireside chat with Ryan Leech.

Here's what he had to say... (http://www.nsmb.com/people/leech_02_07.php)

[tFly]

Cool interview, I don't really think it's possible to describe just how nice of a guy Ryan is, or how stoked on riding he is. One of my favourite guys on the scene right now I think.

[Pedro Cury]

Really nice interview!

I really like to meet Ryan. It´s really hard to imagine how do you top guys influence kids all around the world. And of course, as a trials/street rider, Ryan is a really big influence for me... even so far away here in Brazil.

Keep the good job and come visit us sometimes! I´m sure you will find really good places to ride.

[Rexthespeedster]

I've met Ryan a few times, and he's such a nice guy; so passionate about riding and the show he puts on.

I gained new appreciation for just how dedicated he was to the show while watching him perform in Whistler Village during Crankworx last year. He was doing a side-transfer hop, and the rear wheel *just* caught the side of the box, and it slipped down and shredded his rear derailleur. He was sooooo bummed. No bad words uttered, just sadness and apology to the crowd. Class act for sure.

[trail worker]

just watch his segment in Kranked 6 and you should get an idea of how nice a guy he is! I don't think he has a bad bone in his body.

I remember watching one of the first Norco Team Trials demo's circa 1996 here on the Sunshine Coast at a Sprockids race when I was around 11 years old. That race was my first exposure to organised "bike culture" and I was hooked in no time. At that time Ryan Leech was maybe 16 or 17, and he was killing it at the demo. That was my most vivid memory of when I first got "hooked" on mountain bikes. I remember Robin Coope being in the demo, but don't remember any of the other names on the Norco Factory Trials Team.
Anyways, thanks for the article and the memories

[Robot]

Total pro. So many other 'pros' could learn from the way this guy carries himself and represents his employers.

[LeeLau]

Ryan was so shy when i first met him almost 8 years ago. Now a articulate pro who represents the sports and sponsors so well. So good to see him succeed

[skifreak]

Class act guy all the way - great ambassador to our sport and good role model for kids.

Props to Ryan - I hadn't even noticed he used a Norco 4x to do his trail in Kranked 6

[the Master Plan Dan]

Easily the nicest person in the sport! Way to go Ryan!

Dan

[Nick U]

Ryan Leech always positive and just having fun on his bike. It is nice to see.

[Dean W]

I met him one time while I was building at The Woodlot.

He stopped chatted for a bit said thanks and was on his way with the group he was with. This guy epitomizes class.......every 'pro' rider could learn a thing or two from Mr. Leech (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6670047698960314415).

[C.C.]

I first remember seeing Ryan Leech riding in the watershed. He was doing trials on a Brodie XC frame. Even back then he made it look easy.

[B.O.B]

I first remember seeing Ryan Leech riding in the watershed. He was doing trials on a Brodie XC frame. Even back then he made it look easy.

No surprise he was on a Brodie - argurably the first guy to put a slope on a top tube of a Montain Bike . . and speakin of nice, humble, talented guys . . . I met Paul at the bike show years ago - the whole time thinkin I was takin to a rep - until I finally figured it out and called him on it.

Just thinkin about it somemore . . . Ot-Pi did a demo as well (first time I'd ever seen a pro trials rider - at the time, he was reigning world champion).

[SebV]

"Ryan Leech isn't your average mountain biker. Trials hasn't been 'cool' for some time now but Ryan doesn't care."

This is the stupidest thing I have read in a long time

First, I dont know Leech but I'm pretty sure he doesnt think that trials "isnt cool anymore" otherwise he would have stopped riding right?

McRae is obviously completely clueless about biketrials and has probably never heard of names like Beleay, Macaskill, Keita, TRA...the list goes on and on of riders who's level of riding is WAY above anything the trials riders did when stock trials bikes were shackled to the mountain bike companies.

Those articles with the message that trials should go back to xc frames and sus fork so mountainbikers will think it looks better pisses me off

TRIALS IS NOT A MOUNTAIN BIKING SUBSPORT, NOT BMX AND NOT A MIX IN BETWEEN

----> Biketrials is a complete cycling discipline different from everything else. <----

If some people want to mix it with other disciplines, thats fine by me, but I am sick and tired of people trying to move a message that trials riders should be "mtb clowns" bouncing on the rear wheel of a xc bike to entertain mtb crowds at xc races.


rant over


p.s. I would LOVE to see the kind of stuff Leech could pull if he would pick up a long XTP2 for 3 months Cool it would probably be quite insane

[heckler's better 1/2]

a friend of mine thinks Ryan is "dreamy"...

[connor]

yeah for sure he's the nicest pro rider who's house I've had tea at.

[heckler]

a friend of mine thinks Ryan is "dreamy"...


a "friend"?

[shirk]

a friend of mine thinks Ryan is "dreamy"...

Is someone else logged in on YOUR computer?

[the Master Plan Dan]

a "friend"?

Is someone else logged in on YOUR computer?

HAhahahahahahahaaha!

Dan

[stinky_rider7]

a friend of mine thinks Ryan is "dreamy"...
No, I think you got it wrong, it's friend of mine that thinks he's dreamy...
but :shhh: : she's gotta be careful, 'cause her husband lurks on these boards, he might get jealous ;)

[heckler's better 1/2]

No, I think you got it wrong, it's friend of mine that thinks he's dreamy...
but :shhh: : she's gotta be careful, 'cause her husband lurks on these boards, he might get jealous ;)


I didn't know she was married, she sure doesn't act like it when she talks about Ryan...her poor husband! He must have pretty good self-esteem to sit back and listen to her babble on and on and on about how cute Ryan is when he sways his shoulders from side to side.

[morley]

"Ryan Leech isn't your average mountain biker. Trials hasn't been 'cool' for some time now but Ryan doesn't care."

Number one, ryan would never say he doesn't care about trials, I've known him since '95 and he'd never say such an uneducated statement. From that 'cool' statement it's obvious Cam knows nothing about trials, and didn't take the time to do any research. Journalism at it's worst. I don't think he's exposed to any trials except what he sees in the movies his website sells.

Perhaps you should read next months Mountain Biking Magazines 8 page trials article called "The balance of progression" to get some real insight to what's going on with the trials scene these days.

Number two, when was trials cool? It's always been a subculture in the sport of cycling... but a cool trend? I've been riding trials for over 15 years and can't say I've ever seen some trendy times. Participation is higher then ever. Currently BC has the biggest trials scene in North America, and one of the top competition riders in the world John Webster (from Victoria). He was also in Ryan Leech's mastering the art of trials. If ryan didn't care about trials he never would have made that movie, hung around the trialsworx event at whistler, or phelped Norco to make an amazing entry level trials bike (evolve).

[cam@nsmb.com]

Buddy - you are a weeeee bit defensive about your 'complete cycling discipline.' You may want to chill a little.

There are a lot of things that aren't 'cool' that I like. In fact most of the things I like aren't cool. I myself am decidedly un-cool. Generally though I don't like watching most riders hop around on freakish bikes without saddles - but that's just me. I appreciate the skill involved and even marvel at what they accomplish - but I'd rather not see it in a video. If you like it I'm okay with that. I do like watching Ryan Leech ride whatever he happens to be riding because the man is an artist. Call it whatever you like and be glad he showed the way with Manifesto.

So SebV - start taking yourself a little more seriously and go back to your little mountain biking sub sport. ;)

"Ryan Leech isn't your average mountain biker. Trials hasn't been 'cool' for some time now but Ryan doesn't care."

This is the stupidest thing I have read in a long time

First, I dont know Leech but I'm pretty sure he doesnt think that trials "isnt cool anymore" otherwise he would have stopped riding right?

McRae is obviously completely clueless about biketrials and has probably never heard of names like Beleay, Macaskill, Keita, TRA...the list goes on and on of riders who's level of riding is WAY above anything the trials riders did when stock trials bikes were shackled to the mountain bike companies.

Those articles with the message that trials should go back to xc frames and sus fork so mountainbikers will think it looks better pisses me off

TRIALS IS NOT A MOUNTAIN BIKING SUBSPORT, NOT BMX AND NOT A MIX IN BETWEEN

----> Biketrials is a complete cycling discipline different from everything else. <----

If some people want to mix it with other disciplines, thats fine by me, but I am sick and tired of people trying to move a message that trials riders should be "mtb clowns" bouncing on the rear wheel of a xc bike to entertain mtb crowds at xc races.


rant over


p.s. I would LOVE to see the kind of stuff Leech could pull if he would pick up a long XTP2 for 3 months Cool it would probably be quite insane

[cam@nsmb.com]

Whoa Morley old buddy, you might want to go back and actually read what I wrote. It's tough to recognize 'journalism at its worst' if you can't read properly.

I said, 'trials hasn't been cool for some time but Ryan doesn't care.' I did NOT say he doesn't care about trials but you devoted two paragraphs to that. I know Ryan well enough to know that he loves trials. I don't care if it's cool either. I have never been one to judge what I like or dislike based on what other people think. You shouldn't either.

You gave me a good laugh though. Where did I claim to know anything about trials? I don't really even like watching most trials riding. I'm not that stoked on street riding either or even dirt jumping but there are certain riders in each of those disciplines who I enjoy watching. Ryan Leech's riding - whatever you want to call it - falls into that category as well.

I understand that you like trials and I'm okay with that but there's no need to get nasty and personal.

Who knew trials riders were so tightly wound?

Ryan sure isn't like that.

Thanks for saying your two bits all the same. :D

Number one, ryan would never say he doesn't care about trials, I've known him since '95 and he'd never say such an uneducated statement. From that 'cool' statement it's obvious Cam knows nothing about trials, and didn't take the time to do any research. Journalism at it's worst. I don't think he's exposed to any trials except what he sees in the movies his website sells.

Perhaps you should read next months Mountain Biking Magazines 8 page trials article called "The balance of progression" to get some real insight to what's going on with the trials scene these days.

Number two, when was trials cool? It's always been a subculture in the sport of cycling... but a cool trend? I've been riding trials for over 15 years and can't say I've ever seen some trendy times. Participation is higher then ever. Currently BC has the biggest trials scene in North America, and one of the top competition riders in the world John Webster (from Victoria). He was also in Ryan Leech's mastering the art of trials. If ryan didn't care about trials he never would have made that movie, hung around the trialsworx event at whistler, or phelped Norco to make an amazing entry level trials bike (evolve).

[morley]

Why I care... trials is always misrepresented. 99% of the mainstream mountain bike scene never cover it properly or know what's going on these days. If you enjoy Ry's style you'd actually like a lot of what's going on in the underground scene these days.

The whole way he rides is to make trials look 'cool', meaning he cares the way he represents trial. I don't think I got that nasty or personal, just didn't phrase my comment in a passive manner. You even admitted "Where did I claim to know anything about trials? I don't really even like watching most trials riding"

From John Webster... hands down the best trials rider in North America.
As far as the article goes I didn't think cam knew what he was talking about but not may people do when it comes to trials unless you are in the sport.

[Gidget@nsmb.com]

yikes! easy guys...when I read Cam's statement, I thought he meant more in the 'popular conscience', not even necessarily in the bike scene. For awhile trials riders WERE more visible in general and I think if it wasn't for the guy's pioneering the sport back than, many of us wouldn't have ever been exposed to mountain biking. YUP, that's right..I said it - I associated mnt biking with trials.
Now, before you go all agro on me - I realise that Trials is, in and of itself, its own discipline, but there's no denying that the early XC-bike-ridin' guys were the ones who started putting mountain biking on the map as well.

Kiss and play nice boys! From what I know of Cam, he's the last guy to ever intentionally slam anyone who's on two wheels....try to appreciate the spirit of what he wrote even if the wording might not have been exactly right!

[mattj]

"Ryan Leech isn't your average mountain biker. Trials hasn't been 'cool' for some time now but Ryan doesn't care."

This is the stupidest thing I have read in a long time

First, I dont know Leech but I'm pretty sure he doesnt think that trials "isnt cool anymore" otherwise he would have stopped riding right?

McRae is obviously completely clueless about biketrials and has probably never heard of names like Beleay, Macaskill, Keita, TRA...the list goes on and on of riders who's level of riding is WAY above anything the trials riders did when stock trials bikes were shackled to the mountain bike companies.

Those articles with the message that trials should go back to xc frames and sus fork so mountainbikers will think it looks better pisses me off

TRIALS IS NOT A MOUNTAIN BIKING SUBSPORT, NOT BMX AND NOT A MIX IN BETWEEN

----> Biketrials is a complete cycling discipline different from everything else. <----

If some people want to mix it with other disciplines, thats fine by me, but I am sick and tired of people trying to move a message that trials riders should be "mtb clowns" bouncing on the rear wheel of a xc bike to entertain mtb crowds at xc races.


rant over


p.s. I would LOVE to see the kind of stuff Leech could pull if he would pick up a long XTP2 for 3 months Cool it would probably be quite insane

Easy there Bin Trials. No one is dissing pure trials - this article and discussion are about the positive influence in the sport of CYCLING that is Ryan Leech. Peace.


-m

[dirty deeds]

WOW!

Cam gets called uneducated, stupid and clueless by 2 oversensitive hoppers who've only demonstarated one thing... they can't read.

[SEKTER13]

yikes! easy guys...when I read Cam's statement, I thought he meant more in the 'popular conscience', not even necessarily in the bike scene. For awhile trials riders WERE more visible in general and I think if it wasn't for the guy's pioneering the sport back than, many of us wouldn't have ever been exposed to mountain biking. YUP, that's right..I said it - I associated mnt biking with trials.
Now, before you go all agro on me - I realise that Trials is, in and of itself, its own discipline, but there's no denying that the early XC-bike-ridin' guys were the ones who started putting mountain biking on the map as well.

Kiss and play nice boys! From what I know of Cam, he's the last guy to ever intentionally slam anyone who's on two wheels....try to appreciate the spirit of what he wrote even if the wording might not have been exactly right!

Well said. You guys gotta read slower or something. If you've read the stuff Cam writes for NSMB you'd know hes not trying to slam anyone or any type of riding. A bike is a bike, Ryan is a chill guy with a great passion for riding. Cam covered it and in turn, got many people more interested in Trials. How can you get aggressive toward people because they don't know whats going on in the underground scene? If we all knew then it wouldn't be underground now would it? Maybe instead of being aggressive and defensive (for some reason?), why not point us toward these gems so we can see? You cant really expect people who don't ride trials to know every intricate detail about the sport. Do you think you could interview Steve Peat or Ryan Nyquist any better then Cam did Ryan?

[morley]

How can you get aggressive toward people because they don't know whats going on in the underground scene? If we all knew then it wouldn't be underground now would it? Maybe instead of being aggressive and defensive (for some reason?), why not point us toward these gems so we can see? You cant really expect people who don't ride trials to know every intricate detail about the sport. Do you think you could interview Steve Peat or Ryan Nyquist any better then Cam did Ryan?

Yes I do.

A few years ago I sent a huge writeup on some BC trials riders going to the worlds and their results. One placed top 5, but I never heard a response. Also when the outdoor show was going on a few years ago, Ryan's demo was replaced by a freetrials competition and there was no mention of this trials event, because 'ryan leech wasn't going to be there'. The sad aspect is there were riders in that event that would put on a show far above any trials demonstration.

Here are some videos with a slew of different styles if anyone want's to lean what's going on in trials these days pick up mountain biking magazine next month and look for the article called the balance of progression

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7TFAmhNpus
http://www.biketrials.ca/downloads/MyFavouriteGame.mpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZL-7TApMLQ
http://tv.isg.si/site/filebrowser/judders << Edinburgh.mpg
http://www.biketrials.ca/downloads/mw002.mpg

[M@M]

Wow, whole lot of anger in this thread. If you guys were any more uptight, you'd be shitting diamonds. Relax a little, then maybe it wouldn't seem like you are going on an angry tirade.

[Bukkake]

Wow, whole lot of anger in this thread. If you guys were any more uptight, you'd be shitting diamonds. Relax a little, then maybe it wouldn't seem like you are going on an angry tirade.


trials riders are just insecure cuz no one wants to watch them ride, so as a result every time they get the tiniest bit of recognition they get uptight and choked if it's not conveyed perfectly.

and Ryan is hardly a trials rider anymore, he's got his own thing going on that's been heavily influenced by trials, needless to say he handles himself well and is good at staying healthy...

[Uncle Duke]

trials riders are just insecure cuz no one wants to watch them ride......


lol..after awhile its like watching paint dry..

xc racing isnt fun to watch either..doesnt mean people shouldnt do it tho.

I have to agree w Cam on this one.

[Bukkake]

xc racing isnt fun to watch either..doesnt mean people shouldnt do it tho.


that's exactly it...

I don't really like watching people read books for that matter... but seriosuly I think trials is one of those disciplines that can assist almost evey type of cyclist. It's just a whole other world of control over a bike. However once i started freeriding an bmxing I realized how safe you are riding trials all the time, when things start to go wrong you can usually bail out or dab without any real chance of getting hurt. It can be tough for a trials rider to go into the world of momentum and high level commitment to a stunt.

I'm really happy tho that I spent over two years practicing trials and the odd time I ran into Ryan Leech while I was riding (on his signature frame noless, remember the old green one?) he was always really friendly. :D

[SebV]

Buddy - you are a weeeee bit defensive about your 'complete cycling discipline.' You may want to chill a little.

Generally though I don't like watching most riders hop around on freakish bikes without saddles - but that's just me.

You're right, THATS JUST YOU. Maybe you should have said that after your comment about trials beeing uncool.

It's a matter of taste, personally, I find that the only thing cooler than biketrials riding are good bmx videos. Trials is pure control, BMX is pure attitude. Both surpass any other disciplines skills wise.

I havent bought or even watched a freeride video in 6-7 years because it's always the same thing: motorcycles without motors jumping off cliffs. Seen one seen them all, boring as hell. But thats just me.

Honestly I really dont care about freerider's opinion on trials. Simply because my opinion about freeride would offend a lot of people. What pissed me off is that your article has been posted on biketrials.ca and wasnt even edited.

p.s. I did find the actual interview with Leech interesting...