ryan drayton

BIO

Hi, I'm Ryan, I’m a lifelong biker from the UK, professional bike mechanic, husband, Father, recent transtibial amputee and privateer downhill racer.

During warm up on a half pipe in February 2020 I unfortunately sustained irreparable damage to the leg, foot, ankle assembly on my left leg. 15 month later plastic surgeons and I discussed the best option for quality of life hereafter and the tt amputation was elected.

So far my recovery expectations have all been well exceeded. In the first 3 months I reached the expectations of a 12 month very fit patient. My recovery continues to interest the professionals and trustees.

My intentions from here on are to relentlessly advocate for more areas of cycling to be introduced and included in the Paralympics, to create a worldwide platform where adapted athletes can compete at a level equal or greater to what is currently being showcased.

Collectively we are researching and developing an interface between prosthetic legs and pedals, latest tests have already opened the door to allow riders to ride downhill race tracks totally unhindered. The advances are encouraging and very exciting for the amputee biker community.

On 17 June 2022 (10 months post op) I will be taking the race truck, with my brother as my support, to the French Alps for 5 weeks of riding, racing the Megavalanche, Mountain of Hell, Altitude Challenge, travel, media gathering for affiliates, and the mountains! I have been going to the races in the Alps since 2013 so we know exactly where and how to do it.

On my return home I intend on spending less days on my legs as a fine mechanic and put my energy into making the above mentioned sports, and many many others, accessible and available to everyone to participate in, or to watch on in awe, inspiration and encouragement.