What’s going on, Ryan! How’s the weather out in Steamboat, CO?

What’s up Tim! Dude, it’s been super hot and dry. Reminds me of SoCal for sure haha. 

So you moved from California to Colorado, last year. What went into that move?

A year ago this month I moved out here from San Diego simply for the rad trails! Single track everywhere, bike parks on every other mountain and of course sweet race venues! I knew the terrain out here was incredible and wanted a taste of some high alpine, so here I am!

In racing, what are you focusing the most on, this year?

Last year, which was my first year racing, I was doing a random bunch of races to have fun and see where I stood. This year I've honed in on what I want and will be racing Enduros. I'll be doing a BME when I can but I am preparing and focusing on the Rocky Mountain Enduro Series coming up in July. I’ll be competing in Amateur Men for the events this season and have my eyes set on Top 10's. I need to keep strengthening my back then I’ll be solid!

That’s right. You recently had a pretty gnarly injury. Tell us a little more about that.

Yeah it wasn't too fun. As ski season was coming to an end, my friend Emil Ashley and I went to The Burns, an area known for moto trails, to do some filming and digging. After playing on bikes all day on our way back to the truck I wanted to hit this rock garden that had a rock lip into it. I hit the lip but when I landed I flatted in the front and high sided. My back landed right on a rock and broke a piece off my L2 and L3 vertebrae. I was super lucky and didn't need surgery. 5 weeks later I was trail riding.

If you could choose between Colorado and California, which place would you say has the better riding?

That’s a dangerous question. Haha I wouldn't say one is better than the other but...the trails in Colorado are hard to beat.

Aside from the Rocky Mountain Enduro series, you also plan on heading to Crankworx in Whistler. How excited are you for that?

I can't wait! This will be my second year in a row going and I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's Whistler, what is there to say that hasn't already been said? I was there for Crankworx last year but didn't compete. This year though, I hope to be able to compete, whether it’s DH, Pumptrack, or Enduro. No matter what it’s going to be a wild ride!

AWESOME, buddy! Thank you and best wishes on your continued recovery and getting back to 100%! Any shout-outs you would like to make before you go?

Thank you man, I appreciate it and I’ll be seeing you around for some laps! First and foremost, I'd like to give a shout-out to my physical therapist and chiropractor Ernie Ferrel. He's helped me out a lot with past injuries and especially with my most recent. I really appreciate the support coming from my family to keep doing what I love and see where I go! A big thank you as well to the companies that help keep me and my bike rolling: Bell Helmets, Gamut USA, Onyx Gloves, Rynopower, Spy Optic, Slytech, and of course Monster Army!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow Ryan:

// Monster Army // Instagram // Facebook //