That drive has lead me to take on the world’s most extreme cycling challenges, including the 4,418 km Tour Divide (the longest and toughest mountain bike race in the world), the 4,851 km Race Across America (considered the toughest sporting event in the world by Outside magazine), 25,000 km down the Pan American Highway (the longest road in the world, stretching from Alaska to Argentina) while raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and nearly crippling myself on an 8-day stationary cycling world record attempt. The list goes on!
I have been honored to represent the Canadian National Team, be a Mount Royal University valedictorian, receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award, speak at many distinguished events across the country, and advocate for cycling in my community.
Right now I am writing a book about my adventures, titled A Purpose Ridden. I have also begun training for my next race – IRONMAN in 2013. Whether or not I am a successful in achieving these goals, I can only hope that one day my actions will inspire others as my role models have inspired me.
Many more pictures and video can be viewed on my Facebook and Vimeo pages.
Completed the Tour Divide – 4,418 km solo from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico – considered the “longest and toughest mountain bike race in the world” (2012)
Represented the Canadian National Cycling Team at the Marathon World Championships in Montebelluna, Italy (2011)
6 day 20 hour Guinness World Record Indoor Spin Attempt (2010)
4th place overall, Open Men category, TransRockies mountain bike stage race (2009)
Completed the Race Across America – 5,000 km from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland – considered the “toughest sporting event in the world” (2008)
Hike and residency project in Auyuittuq National Park, Baffin Island (2007)
Cycled 25,000 km from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina along the Pan American Highway (2005)
Cycled 14,000 km around North America on Ride for Life tour (2002)
Cycled 2,400 km from Calgary, Alberta to Phoenix, Arizona (2001)
Cycled 2,400 km from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Grimsby, Ontario (1998)
Cycled 1,700 km from Charlettown, P.E.I. to Grimsby, Ontario (1997)
Cycled 3,400 km from Calgary, Alberta to Oliphant, Ontario at age 13 (1996)
Column writer for the Sylvan Lake News (2010)
Blog writer for Mountain Bike Magazine (2009)
Listed, Calgary Herald, “20 Compelling Calgarians” to watch this year (2009)
Cover story, Avenue magazine, “10 Calgarians changing the way the world sees our city” (2008)
Extreme Athlete Team, CBC’s ‘Test The Nation’ quiz show (2008)
Feature in Explore magazine (2008)
$10,000 National Production Program mentorship grant from the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (2007)
Bootlegger clothing store chain, Generation B role/model(2007)
Optioned film and television rights for ‘Mind Over Miles’ Race Across America documentary (2006)
Shot, edited and produced ‘Longest Road’ documentary (2006)
Front page feature on Pan American journey, Calgary Herald (2005)Interview on Much Music (2002)
Inaugural Legacy (Horizon) Award from the Mount Royal University Alumni (2009)
‘Youngest Solo Finisher’ award, Race Across America (2008)
Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold award (2007)
Valedictorian, Mount Royal College (2007)
Bachelor of Applied Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (2007)
Outstanding Young Canadian Award from JCI Canada (2006)
Outstanding Young Calgarian Award from JCI Calgary (2006)
President’s Honour List, Mount Royal College (2005 – 2006)
Dean’s Honour List, Mount Royal College (2004 – 2006)$4,000 scholarship from the Garfield Weston Foundation (2005)
Three, $1,000 Jason Lang scholarships (2004 – 2006)
$6,000 grant from the Alberta Community Initiatives Program (2004)
Alberta Provincial gold medalist in track racing (2003)
Athlete and honor roll student at the National Sport School (1997 – 2000)
Hundreds of motivational talks for school groups
Countless volunteer hours at local sporting events
Burlington Cycling Socials Organizer (2012 – )
Member of the Burlington Cycling Committee (2013)
Athlete Ambassador for the Ride to Conquer Cancer (2009)
Athlete Ambassador for Unicef (2008-2009)
Athlete Ambassador for All-Sport-One Day (2008)
$20,000 raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation (2005)
$14,000 raised for the Childhood Cancer Foundation (2002)
$1,000 raised for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (2002)
Google Glass is scheduled to make its debut later this year. If you haven’t already heard about this revolutionary step (forward?), I suggest checking out www.google.com/glass/start/ I have to admit, the hands-free approach to everyday techie tasks intrigues me. After watching the recent TED demonstration with founder, Sergi Brin, I got to wondering how [...]
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of organizing the annual Joint Meeting for cycling committees in Southern Ontario. The event was held at Burlington City Hall. Going around the table, it was enlightening to hear about the success and roadblocks that others have encountered in their effort to advocate and educate. A couple of [...]
I bet you know of at least one older person who has muttered, “The world is falling to sh*t.” Unfortunately, you probably know of a younger person who has said this too. If you’re anything like me, you grow more and more cynical as work and stress pile up. The douche bag in the sports [...]
Earlier this year I found an excuse to take on the Tour Divide again…part of it, anyway. I’m leading (with the help of a great support crew) an ambitious group of 12 riders from Banff, Alberta to Whitefish, Montana in August. I call this new venture/adventure the ‘Great Divide Mountain Bike Tour’. More at www.greatdividetour.com. [...]
The world doesn’t need another politically correct person. Please allow me to rant for a moment. Just heard that there is a reality show where celebrities are judged on their ability to creatively dive off a high platform… A TV executive thought that you would like this programming. In a secret meeting, a group of [...]
A rider that I train asked rhetorically, “You have that power tap, right?” My gut instinct suggested that I nod, even though I knew it was a lie. This was someone that trusted my opinion on cycling tech. But alas, no, I could not tell him what he wanted to hear. Instead, I held up [...]
My girlfriend Sarah and I had a good chat on the weekend about how our habits might change if we won the lottery. This prompted me to wonder what your thoughts are on the matter, and to start a weekly blog post titled, ‘What would you do Wednesday?’ Below is the first poll. Take a [...]
Last week I was at Starbucks, 6am, watching a snowstorm outside, when low and behold, two cyclists ride up and scramble inside, freezing. “Where are you headed,” I naturally inquire. They tell me of their planned route, and of the fact that they had to turn back because they were snowed in. They then proceed [...]
Each year a group of Tour Divide racers are asked to contribute to a book on the race, called ‘The Cordillera’. The editors describe it as a literary journal. Their mission is to capture the stories and soul of the Continental Divide and those who race on it. They are now working on volume 4. I [...]
My girlfriend Sarah and I sat down last night to discuss some of our goals and expectations for the next 332 days leading up to Ironman, Mont Tremblant. The priority is to find ways to work together. Training for three disciplines can be a selfish endeavour, so the more that we can do together, the better. [...]
Hammer Nutrition has come on board as the education partner for Compex electro muscle stimulation in both Canada and the U.S. We believe that this technology is “the next big thing” for training and recovery. Oddly enough (or maybe not so much when it comes to new tech), this type of product is readily available [...]
Question from Julie Ditzend (Waterloo Cycling Club): With a crazy family life, my rides are mostly around the two hour mark in length. How would you suggest fuelling for these rides? If they creep over the 2 1/2 hour mark, is there a different strategy to consider? Hey Julie, Let’s look at two scenarios… Ride first [...]
Good news everyone! I have almost finished writing the first draft of ‘A Purpose Ridden’. Chapter number 24 (of 31) goes out this Friday to those of you that signed on to become a book sponsor earlier this year. The response so far as been very positive. My plan right now is to do a [...]
My girlfriend Sarah and I are going to be working towards competing in a full Ironman next year. Read more about the next adventure here. Thank you for following along!
Topics: Adventure cycling tales, Dreaming BIG, Trip planning, Sport nutrition, Team building, Ecotourism, Building a sustainable cycling movement
Speaking Fee: $2,000 (2 hour talk) – $4,000 (all day workshop) for Corporate functions. This fee is negotiable for non-proft and educational groups
“Ryan spoke to our Half-Marathon and Marathon clinics on the topic of “Nutrition for Endurance Athletes”. His presentation was informative and well organized, and the feedback from the runners was very positive. With his background as an endurance athlete, Ryan was able to apply the facts and figures of sports nutrition, translating the technical information into useable solutions. By giving practical examples from his cycling experiences, he made dry facts come to life. Because he has the principles of nutrition and the practical experience at his disposal, he handled the variety of questions well. I would recommend Ryan to anyone seeking a competent speaker on this topic.”
Carol Willmott, Hamilton Running Room Manager (2012)
“Ryan Correy provided inspiration for our Ambassador’s Club, made up of over 100 grade 4-8 students intent on ending bullying at our school. His presentation was entertaining, informative, and his message of “stand up for yourself and others” really hit home, leading to further discussions at school. Ryan spoke of his own issues with bullying and was able to relate to all the kids by speaking to their concerns and questions at their level. We would be happy to have Ryan return to John T. Tuck Public School to reiterate this important message any time he is available.”
Claire Eggers, Special Education Resource Teacher, John T. Tuck School (2012)
“I wanted to let you know we have received a lot of positive feedback from the presentation on Friday. The students and staff really enjoyed it. At our leadership meeting today one of the members commented on how much the grade eight boys liked it. They continued to say that during a goal setting assignment in class the boys really took a lot of the information you gave them to heart and really got into it. This is fantastic as this group of students is sometimes difficult to impact. Thank You Again.”
Deanna, Stettler Middle School (2010)
“It was a pleasure to hear Ryan Correy speak during the November 2009 IPLS Conference held in Panorama, BC. As the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver are fast approaching, we decided on an Olympic theme and Ryan was a real motivator, given his incredible athletic accomplishments and his pursuit towards making the Canadian National Cycling Team. The audience was inspired by his unique story and respected his honest, heartfelt approach. Everyone was extremely motivated by his journey and we all look forward to hearing about his future endeavors. Ryan is definitely a true testament to the old adage, with perseverance and dedication dreams really can become reality.”
Christa Bridgemann, IPLS Committee Member (2009)
In the summer of 1996, a father and his thirteen-year-old son embark on a 3,400 km bicycle tour across Canada. Affectionately known as ‘Manhood Training’, this unique bonding experience becomes the inspiration for Ryan Correy to break away from convention, and turn a passion for cycling into his purpose in life.
The world’s most extreme cycling challenges serve as an evolving proving ground – including a 25,000 km tour from Alaska to Argentina along the Pan American Highway (“The longest road in the world”), the mind-numbing Race Across America (“The toughest sporting event in the world,” according to Outside Magazine), a foot-crippling 6 day 20 hour stationary cycling world record attempt, the Tour Divide (“The longest mountain bike race in the world”), and more.
A Purpose Ridden is an obsessive and often gritty memoir of Ryan’s love/hate journey to becoming an Adventure Cyclist, of the complex relationship with his father, finding love, and ultimately balance in all things.
8-day supported mountain bike adventure along the Continental Divide
Week-long active retreat in sunny Carefree, Arizona.
Family-friendly, no-drop, bike rides in Burlington, Ontario
Coaching options for cyclists in the greater Toronto area
