Makes you think...: North Shore-style mountain biking ace Ryan Leech noticed something about how children regard elite athletes about a year ago, and he responded by changing his path. While some highly gifted pros duck the responsibility of being role models, he pursued it.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Leech began building a dazzling array of mountain-bike trials skills at the age of 13, and has launched a high-flying career as a mountain bike entertainer who brings the thrill of the jumps, pivots, bunny hops and spins performed out on nature trails back to audiences in urban settings. The 28-year-old Port Moody resident practices his craft on the world-renowned <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North Shore mountain trails, where he has starred in scenes for epic movies that shaped the sport, such as the Kranked Series, Ride to the Hills, and The Collective. ?I?m in a fortunate position,? he said, before performing for and speaking to students at Ridgeview Elementary School in West Vancouver on Wednesday. ?It hit me a year ago when I was doing some tricks for students, and they were hanging on my every word.? ?I thought I should explore and expand on what I want to say.? Leech explains he decided he could give advice to youngsters, ?in my own way? and felt a greater satisfaction than simply entertaining with his amazing stunts. He agrees that perhaps, this new thrill of delivering an uplifting message renews the initial thrill he got from learning his craft on a bike. ?That satisfaction you get when you nail a line for the first time, maybe (connecting with kids) is the same kind of thing,? he said. ?I get really excited about doing these presentations for kids.? And the message he?s trying to teach is simple, yet hard to grasp for today?s young generation, he says. ?It boils down to listening to your heart,? he said. ?It may sound kind of cheesy, but with all the pressures on kids from parents, teachers, friends??do this, do that??it becomes difficult for them to figure out what they want to do.? And when Leech hits the road for his cross-Canada ?Trials of Life? tour this spring, environmental responsibility will also be a big part of the message. He plans to visit 50 schools, ?in some of the nooks and crannies? entertainers rarely make it to.
