Growing up, Ryan Leech always hoped he would make a life for himself in the cycling world. And since that dream has come true, he says he owes a great part of his successes to the local trails and the local hospital.
The 32-year-old Port Moody resident is one of the pioneers in the sport of trials riding, a kind of two-wheeled urban obstacle-hopping that pits balance and bravery against the pressures of performing.
"It's very much a show, a performance," Leech said. "Whether it's a live public show or filming for an action video, it's definitely in the entertainment realm. That's my speciality."
Leech was at a loss, however, when asked to explain exactly what trials riding is, saying that people need to come out and see him perform at Coquitlam's Town Centre Park after Saturday's Wheel to Heal rides.
"It's tricky to describe. Basically it's very slow-speed riding with balance-oriented techniques and manoeuvres. It involves riding my bike over a variety of obstacles - picnic tables, rocks, stumps, cars, railings. You name it, a trials rider will try to find a way to ride his or her bike over it."
Before his performance Sunday, the pro cyclist who has been featured in more than 25 bike films, will ride in the 40-km Wheel to Heal ride to raise money for Eagle Ridge Hospital.
"The organizers approached me to do this and it was a really good fit because, one, my love for cycling," Leech explained, "and two, I actually had a knee surgery at Eagle Ridge Hospital, so that was a nice tie-in as well."
And while Leech admits the surgery was required after a bike-related mishap, he says that cycling, even trial style, is still the best preventative medicine he knows.
And speaking from experience, he advised fellow daredevil riders and weekend warriors alike that, "If you're out there enjoying the local trails, then donating to Wheel to Heal to help your local hospital is definitely a good investment in your own health for the future."
The first of the three Wheel to Heal rides - an 80 km, 40 km and 10 km - takes off Saturday at 8:30 a.m. from Coquitlam's Town Centre Park.
To participate in the ride to raise money for Eagle Ridge Hospital or to sponsor a rider such as Leech, visit wheeltoheal.ca.
