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Good Bones:
Anatomy of a Mountain Biker’s Life

Capturing the Ride

From the ancient trails of the Utah Desert to the pine forests of Oregon, professional freerider Ryan McNulty carves his destiny in the dirt. Often bathed in the hues of the setting sun, Ryan captures on video iconic and perilous biking runs alongside a team of adventurous friends. For a dedicated young rider like Ryan, mountain biking transcends sport — it is a way of life. His videos are a self-expression of this lifestyle, a visual embodiment of his adventurous spirit.

Professional freeriding, closely related to downhill biking, dirt jumping, and freestyle BMX, focuses on tricks, style, and technical trail features. This rapidly-growing sport sees more festivals and professional events emerging globally each year. 

Beyond raw talent, several components are key to making a life as a freerider possible. We spoke with Ryan about the many factors that have propelled his career and sustained the sport.

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The Bones: The Perfect Freeride Bike

Ryan’s main bike, a Canyon Torque, comes from an early brand sponsor. He customizes this downhill-style model with ultra-stiff suspension and high tire pressure for predictability and performance. It’s tough enough to handle hard and rocky terrain while offering the precision and handling needed for big jumps and tricks.

He’s also careful to set the seat to an appropriate height, where he can grip between his knees or grab it for certain spins and tricks. It’s all a delicate balance.

 

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The Heart:  A Supportive Community

Growing up in Bend, Oregon, Ryan found a game-changer in his move to Southern Utah, where he connected with like-minded riders. In the early days, his job washing cars barely covered the rent. It was the community of free-spirited athletes that provided the camaraderie and motivation to keep pursuing his dreams. This same community continues to give Ryan the connections and support he needs to push the boundaries of the sport.

"Something that I really like about biking is it's so accepting — everyone does it. It doesn't matter what age you are. I see people pedaling every single day, no matter what, and everyone's stoked on it."

 

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The Legs: A Legendary Truck

Ryan’s 2001 Toyota Tundra, known as Bentley, is a piece of mountain biking history. Before Ryan purchased it from a friend, the truck had been used by legendary riders Ryan “R-Dog” Howard and Carson Storch. Bentley is perfect for hauling water, tools, and bikes to epic spots where Ryan and his friends dig and ride (digging involves reshaping biking trails for a ride). Equipped with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, the truck has the all-terrain performance and stamina needed for wild adventures.

"To get to where we want to ride, we go on a dirt road, and it's the worst road you've ever driven. The whole thing is all potholes. With the KO2's, driving off-road feels great, and when I get back on the road, it feels just as good." – Ryan McNulty

The Spirit: Fest Events and Filming

Instead of traditional competition, Ryan channels his energy into what ignites his spirit most: capturing epic rides on video and sharing his gift at Freeride Fest events, which are all about showcasing talent and pushing limits. It was at one of these events — Black Sage in Pineville, Oregon — that Ryan’s raw talent for freeriding first caught the attention of the professional community.

"There are a couple of events I do that are competitive, but for us, it's more about jam sessions: we build courses, invite people, and get a bunch of content out of it. It gives people an opportunity to push themselves."

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The Five Parts of a Great Run

In Ryan’s world, a great bike run is a meticulous blend of vision and execution. Especially in the wide-open Virgin Desert of Southern Utah, his favorite runs are often inspired by the terrain, featuring outcroppings of rock, and dead-drop ridges. Digging pushes the limits of what can be done on this terrain and adds new creative levels to the sport. According to Ryan, to build a great run, you need to:

  1. Scout the Area’s Natural Terrain
    The foundation of any great run starts with finding the right spot. Natural terrain offers unique features that can’t be replicated, making each run special.
     
  2. Put Rider Safety First
    Ensuring the run is safe is paramount. Ryan emphasizes checking for stability and predicting how the terrain will react to intense biking and inclement weather.
     
  3. Consider Aesthetic Appeal
    The run has to look good. It’s not just about the ride but also the visual experience — both for the rider and the audience.
     
  4. Build in a Few Challenges
    Incorporating a mix of jumps, spins, and technical elements keeps the run exciting and pushes riders’ limits.
     
  5. Test, Tweak, Repeat
    Before attempting any tricks, Ryan performs a few test jumps to gauge the speed and lip of the jump, ensuring everything is perfect for the actual ride. For instance, before executing a full trick, he might start by leaning the bike during the jump to test the timing and landing of each feature.

 

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Digging for the Future

Ryan McNulty’s life is a balance of passion, dedication to sport, and community involvement. From building intricate runs to championing festivals and competitions, every aspect of his life is aimed at one goal: keeping the spirit of mountain biking alive. His story reminds us that the best adventures come from the heart, and the greatest achievements can be those we build from the ground up.

"Our main goal is just expressing ourselves. I want to set the same example for kids that look at me growing up — just go out and ride your bike and have fun."

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