From the desert to the world stage: The story of Aussie/ American MTB star Ryan Standish
The small desert town of Alice Springs in central Australia on paper does not appear a place conducive to producing champion cyclists. But Ryan Standish is among a few motivated trail blazers in this town that have made it a mountain biking mecca. Super early morning starts to avoid the dangerously hot conditions as a high school student to working 3 jobs in the town to help make his global cycling dreams a reality, Ryan Standish knows what it takes to knuckle down and go against the grain for the sake of pursuing a dream.
However, it was not until a family member received a life changing diagnosis did this pursuit take on real meaning. Now a full time professional MTB and gravel racer in the USA, Ryan Standish knows how to stand out from the crowd and garner a following all for a good cause.
Hear about his remarkable journey and his devotion to the MS society in his hour long chat with fellow Aussie/ American Justin Morris.
Ryan on his home trails of Alice Springs, Australia.
“Alice Springs, despite the weather does have a really good mountain biking and cycling community, this was one of the biggest factors that enabled me to pursue MTB as a sport”
Growing up in a rural/ remote community in Australia is often considered a disadvantage for one’s opportunities in life. However, Ryan Standish was able to turn this stereotype on its head by embracing his strong local community that ended up encouraging and enabling his career in the sport. The town of Alice Springs sits halfway between the cities of Adelaide and Darwin in central Australia, a 2 day 1500km drive to either one. Ryan was born in the USA but moved to Alice Springs as a young boy. Inspired by his Dad as a teenager he took up mountain biking as an after school hobby and it was not long until this hobby became a passion. Waking up at early hours in the dark to train in order to avoid the dangerous heat of the day in the desert, travelling long distances to races around Australia ignited a dream for Ryan to pursue his passion as a career.
The Alice Springs trails are best hit in the early hours to avoid temperatures in the 40’sC/ 110+F.
With some standout results in the Australian road and MTB calendar, Ryan’s strength and talented was soon identified as he was selected for a number of domestic elite teams that enabled him to travel and compete around Australia. Ryan would balance his racing commitments with working 2 jobs in the local hospital and bike shop. With a vision to save the funds necessary to pursue the sport in his birth country.
“I thought If I don’t pursue this now, then what am I gonna do when I get to be 40 years old? Then (pro cycling) is not really an option anymore. So I think it was more like a fear of not seeing where it could go and committing to it from there.”
Victory at the Mongolia Bike Challenge one of Ryan’s big results.
Once in the USA, whilst still working and studying Ryan was racing top level events across the continent. Securing more results on both the roadie and MTB, his career appeared to be panning out well. However, in 2012 he received some news from his Australian home that would change the trajectory of his career henceforth. A diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis for his father came as somewhat of a shock and instigated a desire to help in best way he could even from afar.
“Around the time that dad was getting in the wheelchair, I was like; I need to do more to support not only my dad, but everyone who lives with MS!”
Ryan’s new privateer race kit for the 2022 season featuring the bike MS fundraising logo. Pic: Justin P Diamond.
Ryan Standish now rides as a privateer full time professional MTB and gravel racer with a bevy of sponsors who all back his core purpose which is to raise funds and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Hence, his racing has become a platform not just for his own performance and name but for a cause far greater than himself. In 2021 Ryan raced the USA round of the UCI MTB world cup in Snowshoe, West Virginia whilst wearing a pair of jean shorts earning him the nickname ‘Jorts guy’. Bouncing off this notoriety, Ryan has recently created his own brand named Rocket Sloth. The brand is a tribute to his Dad, with a portion of all proceeds going to the MS society and also a reminder to us all to ‘Go Fast, Be Chill’.
“I thought let’s make it an actual thing and use it to raise awareness and funds for MS and kind of spread the word that way. ”
Photo: Justin P Diamond
“The world is moving pretty fast, but it’s good to take a step back and chill out.
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Pic: Justin P Diamond
A real genuine story from one of the most interesting and down to earth stars on the intensely charged pro mtb circuit these days, have a listen to the full story via the Mind Matters Athlete Coaching podcast, available via most online podcast feeds.