Devon Balet recounts his first year off the bike after a minor accident. The reality of an unexpected injury can suddenly change everything. 

As the anesthesiologist wipes my neck with an antiseptic wipe, I pull back slightly. The sudden cool catches me off guard, making me jump.

“Oh, sorry Devon. I should have warned you it would be cold,” replied the caring doctor, but I say nothing.

Looking past my outstretched legs, I watch as my parents walk out of sight towards the waiting room of Vail Surgical Center; the assistant draws up the Versed from a vial. This medication would in essence wipe my mind clean of what was about to happen. The anesthesiologist continues to prep my neck and shoulder for the nerve block to be implanted in my shoulder.

As I watch the assistant flick the full syringe, clearing it of air bubbles, everything suddenly rushes down on me like the crash of an imploded building. Every emotion and feeling comes to light. Every...

Each month the RLC Team of Coaches & Ambassadors selects the best MTB videos from YouTube. Each selection comes with a thoughtful write-up about why the video fits with the RLC motto of Trail-Bike-Body-Mind-Flow. A new collection is published monthly exclusively for members of Ryan Leech Connection, but we wanted to share a sample of what it's all about here.

So grab a cuppa, and enjoy some amazing scenery and stunning landscapes from the February selection, courtesy of Ambassador, Gianluca Spini.

"These places are my mountains: the Alps. And the protagonists are from Innsbruck (Austria) and belong to a group called Vertrider. It is a different way of understanding the Mtb, which they call Alpine Freeride, where the key is a combination of technical challenge, mountain experience, the accurate estimation of risk, and of one's own abilities. The challenge is to be able to descend from the top of a mountain as far as possible, without setting foot on the ground on paths not...

#RoamEvents bring women together to experience the awesome adventure and community of the mountain biking lifestyle. Their festivals totally rock and they’re clear that skills coaching is not part of their magic formula, which is why they created a referral system called the #RoamFinishingSchool. 

My online coaching service made their cut and to get this endorsement alongside some of the most talented coaches in the business is really special. Check out their thoughtful Roam Finishing School page to check out all the awesome offerings. www.thisisroam.com/finishingschool

How do you survive Winter as a mountain biking fanatic? Leave your tips in the comment section below!

This video features Russ Risdon from Bend Oregon who is one of our coaches and a self proclaimed MTB fanatic. We produced this video to give members some ideas about how to make the best use of their membership through the dark winter months. Ride ON!

Are you still flat pedal curious? From enjoying the benefits of comfortable shoes to an increased sense of freedom, more flow, confidence and fun all while not losing pedal efficiency, member Mal Schulstad shared, in a Facebook post, his enthusiasm for flats after finishing the last ride of the 12 Ride Flat Pedal Challenge course. Mal is also an accomplished photographer and provided these photos to help illustrate his experience.

Share your experience with flats in the comment section below, or complete the course and go have fun on Flat Pedal Challenge Ride #12, then answer the nine questions after your ride!

Here is what Mal said: 

So yesterday was what I'm calling my celebratory flat pedals ride - 32km and 1000+ meters of climbing (and naturally descending) on rarely used trails and fire roads that I'd never been on with a fairly fit group.

Throughout the ride I kept up with everyone on the ups - no loss of pedaling efficiency, rode over unfamiliar technical terrain...

It’s with excitement that I announce coach Elaine Bothe is taking on the newly created role of Community Liaison, designed to further improve the RLC member experience throughout the site. Part of her role will be to maintain our Facebook Group as a unique and safe space for members to share their riding experiences and post practice videos. She will monitor the FB comment stream to ensure member-inspired advice, which we highly encourage, is inline with RLC’s core teachings and safety standards. She’ll be working hard on many fun projects to help everyone gain maximum value from their skills practice!

Learn more about Elaine and the rest of the RLC team here!

Steep technical climbs require a tuned blend of technique, fitness and patience.

I love challenging myself to the point of failure, and climbs allow for this much more safely than descents.

If you ever want an incredible workout and skill practice, find a tech climb that is just slightly above the difficulty level that you'd normally clean. Find a climb that you may only ride clean one out of every five attempts - and then session it!

High Fives!

In this 3 minute long video I share a few RLC reflections from 2017 and some plans for 2018. Here are the highlights:

• RLC has grown gradually and steadily again, the site is over four years alive! Since the 12 Ride Flat Pedal Challenge launched a year ago over 10,000 riders have registered - and many upgraded to a full membership.
• There are no shortcuts for adult skill acquisition - RLC continues to create the safest possible skill development progressions that rely on your regular practice. This helps set up a foundation for lifelong enjoyment of the sport rather than forcing and rushing new techniques. 
• 2017 saw the launch of The Cornering Continuum and Jump with Confidence - with guest pros and coaches: Kat Sweet, Thomas Vanderham, Jay Hoots and Shaums March. Dozens of drills and lessons were published exclusively for members along with 50 curated weekly updates.
• 2018 will see an early launch of the Tight Switchbacks and Stoppies...

We LOVE receiving progress reports from customers like this!...

Hello Ryan!

I accidentally discovered your 30 Day Wheelie Challenge in a newspaper and thought, I'll give it a try, I always wanted to. Your program has absolutely convinced me. I subsequently registered as a full member.

Bunny Hop and Manual are currently my current exercises, ...if the weather permits. Track Stands can also be practised in the garage in bad weather conditions ;-)

I have a small video created, which I have achieved in a half-year. I'm excited!

Very helpful was the very good feedback from you and Jeffrey, Peter and Gianluca. Thanks a lot for this!

Wheelie, Manual, Bunny Hop, I will continue to expand and I'm looking forward to Tight Switchbacks and everything that has to do with technical climbing, I love it ...

Big thanks also to Jeff and his Yoga Progression Series # 2. "Relieving neck pain" / "hips under pressure" are my favorites. He's the wizard with the ball!

Merry Christmas and a healthy year...

The coach and ambassador team have responded to thousands of questions inside RLC this year.  It's clear from the following short greetings that the connection we strive to offer our customers has a reciprocating affect on us...

Happy Holidays. Thank you to each member of the RLC community for the inspiration to keep pushing my own limits. I am looking forward to seeing all the awesome things you will do in 2018! - Peter Glassford

Wishing all of you a joyful holiday season, and bountiful riding and learning in 2018 - Roger Joys

Happy Holidays to everyone! It has been an honor and a pleasure to get to know you all, hear your advice, watch your successes and share your 'mishaps.' RLC has been a life-changing experience for me, and you have all had a lot to do with that fact! - Jeff Neitlich

Happy Holidays from Down Under! May your New Year be flat-tyre free and chockers with fun skills progressions. - Carl Roe

Warmest wishes to everyone this holiday...