The Secret Mindset Behind a 300-Mile Ride to Fight Multiple Sclerosis

Ryan Standish and Scott Sports have teamed up once again to document an epic journey from Fruita, Colorado to Moab, Utah. After attempting to achieve the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on this route last year and coming up short, Ryan is back to give it another crack, this time with a new perspective, but is it enough to complete the mission?

“The first time I went out, I thought I could do it in 24 hours,” says Standish. “But when you expect to be halfway done in 12 and you’re halfway done in 20, that breaks you. This time, I threw out all the FKT rules. I just wanted to see if I could do the ride.”

A year after his first attempt to conquer the Kokopelli and White Rim Trails, SCOTT USA athlete Ryan Standish takes on the epic journey again in a new film, One Year Older. This project shows his return to riding over 300 miles and climbing 26,000 feet across stunning desert landscapes, with a fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm.

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In his first film, ‘Why Wait,’ Standish took on a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt, following strict rules: no outside support, no hidden supplies, and staying true to the original line. His determination was impressive, and while unsupported style pushed him to his limits, it made his achievement even more remarkable.

“There’s no water out there,” Standish recalls. “When you’re 140 miles into a ride and you still have another 160 to go, it’s a pretty crazy thing to start the White Rim from town with nothing waiting for you. Last time, I was carrying eight liters of water up the longest climb of the day. This time, I could carry three or four liters, drink it all, and see my crew again in a few hours.”

In 'One Year Older,' Standish decided to relax the rigid stopwatch and FKT rules, focusing instead on the personal experience of completing the route - a decidedly fresh approach to an epic ride like this that a lot more riders will be able to resonate with. With a supportive crew meeting him regularly and a friend accompanying him for the White Rim section, he faced the same tough terrain and long distances, but this time with comrades and a new sense of purpose.

Standish remains committed to the core of the project, which is shaped by his father’s struggle with multiple sclerosis, a driving force of the first project. This experience has also transformed his outlook on racing, and instead of solely pursuing results and rankings, he now finds greater satisfaction in the process and effort itself. “This season, I’m not worrying about results as much as going out and riding as hard as I can,” Standish explains. “If you get to the finish line and you’re completely done and empty, that’s a success. I love riding bikes so much more this year than I have for a while.”