OUR COACHES
COACH ROD
Coach Rod (Rod Rysavy) is the Savy Mountain Riders founder. He loved being a part of helping people get outside and enjoying nature's best on their bike. When he wasn't biking, he was usually working on bikes, thinking or talking about bikes, biking with his family, or practicing some little magic trick on his Bicycle Playing cards. The Red Deer cycling community lost Rod to cancer in August 2022. The club hopes to continue his legacy.
Photo Credit: Jeff Stokoe
COACH NICOLE
Coach Nicole’s love for mountain biking started in high school, when friends would lend her a bike and take her on trail adventures. Since then, she’s explored many more trails and, after moving to Central Alberta more than 10 years ago, has fallen in love with the amazing riding community and trail networks. Nicole has challenged herself by trying a few mountain bike races and achieving Professional Mountain Bike Instructor certification. She especially loves helping riders build confidence, conquer challenges, and experience the excitement and sense of accomplishment that comes with the sport. As a mom of two daughters, Nicole loves sharing adventures as a family and watching her girls’ skills grow on the trails. She also loves the friendships and community that mountain biking creates — because the best trail rides often start with new bike friends!
COACH LIEN
Lien loves all sports, but he would go Mountain Biking everyday if he could! He is a husband and father of 2 and his whole family ride bikes. They like to take family camping trips that center around riding bikes. Lien prefers technical natural terrain trails and has ridden in Colorado, Utah, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. Lien's favorite trail system is Ridgeway Area Trails in Colorado. Quote from Lien: "Biking is a life long sport. Stay safe and have fun!"
Photo Credit: Jeff Stokoe
COACH IAN
Coach Ian loves to ride his bike any chance he gets. He's been to a couple of Winter Olympics on the luge team. But now he's a rad dad learning new tricks on his bike!
COACH DEE
I’ve been riding a bike my entire life, but it wasn’t until about 7 years ago that I got serious about wanting to develop my mountain biking skills. During this time period, I’ve met a number of people who feel intimidated trying to mountain bike, thinking it’s only for the young. Nope…..riding is for everyone! My passion is coaching other mature riders to help them build confidence on the trails. Being a “mature rider”, it’s all about the fun and the “smiles for miles” while riding on the trail for me. Looking forward to seeing you on the dirt.
Photo Credit: Jeff Stokoe
COACH PATRICK
Coach Patrick has spent his life on two wheels, driven by a deep passion for mountain biking and endurance sports. As a junior racer, he honed his skills navigating the technical, root-laced trails of the West Coast, where wet condition and rugged terrain shaped him into a confidence & capable rider.
Over the years, Patrick has dabble in various endurance disciplines, but his hear has always belonged to mountain biking. For him, it's more than a sport - it's a way to connect with nature, challenge himself and share the experiences with friends.
These days, Patrick's greatest joy comes from riding with his kids and helping others discover the freedom & excitement that mountain biking offers. His goal is simple: to share the stoke and build a lifelong love of riding.
COACH CHUCK
Coach Chuck loves riding his bike anywhere he can! Inspiring the next generation of riders to crush roots and climb up and down all those hills gets him very stoked! He also loves exploring the trails around Red Deer, Golden and beyond with his wife and 2 daughters.
​
​
​
COACH KIRSTY
Coach Kirsty has loved riding bikes since she was a kid. In university she saw something on TV about mountain biking and decided she wanted to give it a try. She went on a few Peddle Heads group rides, but really got into it when she married Coach Jeff who also loves mountain biking. They have 2 kids and spend a lot of time riding bikes as a family.
Photo Credit: Jeff Stokoe
COACH PATRICK
Coach Kent lives in Sylvan Lake with his wife, Amanda, and 2 sons, Colby and Tyler. His family is involved in BMX, but have a real love for mountain biking. They have spent many summer holidays hanging out in Fernie and Canmore. Although they don't live in the mountains, Kent feels fortunate to have access to some pretty fun trails at the Red Deer bike park. and looks forward to seeing you out there.