Ryan Atkins has been a huge part of the KH Factory Team since the beginning. He has also been a big driving force in our sport in all kinds of ways, from raising trials standards to simply being an awesome ambassador for our sport. In 2008 Ryan tells me he plans to ride more casually and instead pursue XC mountain bike racing, which he is already doing at a very high National level in Canada. This means that Ryan has chosen to retire from the KH team in 2008. So sad! But I really wish Ryan best of luck with his XC mountain bike racing aspirations.
I’m happy to announce that Kelly Hickman is joining the KH Factory Team for 2008! Kelly brings some awesome street riding and filming strengths, and a friendly low-ego attitude that meshes well with the rest of the team. Here’s a link to a recent vid: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=27099012
Congrats Kelly! You’ve earned it after all of the hard work and practice, and dedication you’ve had.
It’s truly a disappointment seeing top-end guys like Zack and Ryan step down at the height of their game. Ryan has been a great pioneer of the sport, and has been a huge influence upon me, and the reasons why I still ride. I thank him kindly for his contributions to the sport, and more specifically to trials unicycling. He made it to the top in unicycling, and it looks like now he’s doing the same in XC biking. Best of luck to you Ryan!
Now there is a big loss of excellent trials riders in NA. I’m 22, starting to feel ‘old’ because so many drop away from the sport before they reach my age. I’ll keep going, and try to get better than I have ever been, this summer. People of North America, I think it’s time we stepped up our trials game
Congratulations to Kelly, but sad to hear about Ryan.
Let’s hope he continues to ride a bit and maybee make a comeback:o
I think this will open up a possible slot for a good trials rider who is willing to do get a bunch of positive exposure for KHU, other sponsor(s) and our sport.
On the subject of sponsorship…Kris have you seen/heard of Marko Blau? He’s a really good mod bike trials rider and the only one I know of that has given unicycling a legitimate shot. He’d be a good choice for your ambassador team to try and get more bike trials riders to give unicycling a shot.
He’s one of my most favourite riders ever. And a very nice person too(with a funny accent). He shall be missed greatly.