Enjoys mountain biking, cyclocross and long walks on the beach.

Name:
Ryan Leech

Date of birth:
8/14/1977

Where you grew up and live now:
I grew up in State College, PA, during high school and university days. Currently I live in Bulgaria working the diamond mines. Just kidding. Philadelphia keeps me cold these days.

College:
Penn State '95-99 (Geography), and back for another degree '02-03 (Landscape Architecture)

How long have you been riding / racing mountain bikes / road?
I mowed lawns and saved allowances for a year to buy a mountain bike in 1990. My little trio of buddies explored the nooks of Happy Valley, trespassed on enticing property and terrorized SC on summer nights via two wheels. My first race was a fall Coburn Classic, back when they were big races in a small town (1991). The following year I went into the sport further and became a complete addict. I began road racing as a freshman at Penn State. I was president of the PSU Club for 2 years ('97-'99). While living in Santa Cruz, CA (2000) I tried cyclocross racing which became my most beloved and strongest cycling sport.

Your biggest accomplishments in cycling:
2004 — 1st, Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Championship (Elite Category)
2004 — 1st, Racoon Rally MTB race
2004 — 1st, Hershey MASS
2003 — 1st, PA Cyclocross Championship
2003 — 2nd, Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Championship
2003 — 2nd, Wilderness 101
2002 — 2nd, PA Cyclocross Championship
2002 — 2nd, Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Championship
2002 — 1st, Regional Cup (Cyclocross)
2000 — 1st, Northern Cal/Nevada Criterium Championship (Cat 3)
2000 — 1st, Northern Cal/Nevada Road Championship (Cat 3)
1995 — 2nd, Mid-Atlantic Super Series (Junior Expert)
1994 — 1st, PA Junior MTB Championship

Why you like to ride in PA:
IT'S AWESOME! The riding potential in Pennsylvania is fantastic. We have mountains, rural countryside, piedmont flats, long, wide valleys and long narrow ridges. Road riding is superb throughout the entire state with so much rural farmland its not difficult to find hours of riding with minimal traffic and fantastic sights. The mountain biking is EPIC in much of the state — you can go out for 2-10 hours with not a person in sight (literally). Also, the cities have some really fun trails — Philly and Pittsburgh have dirt within minutes of the center city. Although the weather could be a bit more friendly in the winter, riding is ideal in PA.

Your connection to the visit PA.com team:
Ray and I have been racing against each other since '93 or so. We've been going head to head since being junior experts competing for the original Super Series and state championships. I also know Mike from racing - hearing his name before I knew him (college days). I got to know Mike when we raced together on the same road team a few years back and as a promoter for his super fun 'cross races in Marysville, PA!

Bikes:
mtb: Fisher Ziggurat, Cannondale CAAD8 road, CAAD9 cyclocross, 1970's Fuji for a commuter, Rocky Mtn single speed mtb.

Worst crashes:
Try to forget them...all on the road bikes involving lots of people. yuck.

Nutritional beliefs:
Eat balanced and eat enough. Definitely take in more carbohydrates before big rides and races (bonking sucks). Refuel soon after rides/races with sugars.

Best ride(s) ever:
The Renovo road ride, going North out of State College is incredible 140miles. Riding in Rothrock State Forest is incredible & huge. Wes and Ray and I have had some nice rides in British Columbia too.

Worst ride ever:
Getting up really early after a late night to ride a big chunk of the Wilderness101. It was hovering just below freezing and I couldn't get warm for 4 hours and bonked. But it was still a super fun ride!

If you were a bike, what would you be?
Any that the rider is smiling upon.

Favorite place to ride on road / off road:

Off road: ROTHROCK State Forest.

Road riding: Black Moshannon area.

Favorite races:
The MASS weekend in Marysville, put on by our own teammate Mike Kuhn—most fun all year. The original Coburn races back in the early 1990's and the current Wilderness101.

Favorite mid-ride food:
PopTarts and ripe blueberries, picked from the bush wherever you stop.