Ride UK BMX

Paul Ryan is a UK pro for the Shadow Conspiracy, and is also sponsored by Nike and Mongoose. His current set-up is a Mongoose Fraction with 20 inch top tube, 13.25 rear end, 165 cranks and 8.5 bars, which combined together make a responsive Street or Park bike, perfect for Paul’s style of riding.

Born on 5th February 1988, Paul grew up in Liverpool. At 12 he got his first BMX and began developing his skills at a skate park in Southport, and by 14 he was working in a local bike shop in exchange for parts. He remains based in Liverpool to this day, and says he can’t imagine ever living anywhere else in the world.

He was soon off on his first riding trip to Barcelona, excited to ride all those amazing spots he had only previously seen in BMX and skate edits. It wasn’t all plain sailing though – on his first visit to Simple Session in 2008, he went to jump the box and cased badly, going over the bars, landing on his elbow and head, and fracturing his collarbone in the process.

Of his many accomplishments so far, standouts have been making the front cover of Ride UK BMX, and also competing at the X Games in 2013, finishing eighth in Street. Above all else, he says his main aim is to learn something new every day, whether it’s a new smoothie recipe or a hard 180 to inward oppo smith to half cab bars out.