Member of the Week: Ryan Pettis

Written By: Jackie Riess

Ryan Pettis is a Hare Scrambler at heart, but he enjoys all forms of off-road riding, including Enduro, in District 23 ARMCA. The whole story began with Ryan’s two older brothers. They had dirt bikes, and of course, Ryan wanted one too. His dad said “yes,” but with one condition: he had to be able to ride a bicycle first. Ryan vividly remembers learning how to bicycle, especially the first time he rode on his own. Once he realized he was meeting his dad’s requirement, he turned his bike around and got back to his dad to ask, “can I get a dirt bike now?” Ryan was soon cruising around on his PW50 and has been racing ever since.

Ryan just finished his successful 2021 season in 250 C Hare Scrambles, where he won the class and the C overall for the season. Over the winter, he will be training to improve his speed and his overall fitness. In 2022, he will be competing in the 250 B class, where he has goals of being in the top 3. Ryan continues to race in District 23 ARMCA because of the amazing community where everyone has your back.

Ryan attributes a lot of his success to his friend and mentor, Logan Kittock. Inspired by his speed, humbleness, and dedication, Ryan loves learning from him and even has him on speed dial to ask him for advice. Though Logan has given Ryan many words of advice, the tips on riding technique have stuck with him, in addition to his advice to “ride with faster people.” Ryan would like to pass these words on to other District 23 ARMCA members, as well as advice to truly listen to those that inspire you.

In addition to riding and racing, Ryan loves to snowmobile, snowboard, work at his interior painting business, and spend time with his family and girlfriend. He even enjoys a bowl of Chicken Alfredo before his races. Though Ryan enjoys the sweeter things in life, motorcycling has had the biggest impact. It has taught him some of the most important lessons about building strong character, like how to be kind, how to be a good role model for kids, and how to be persistent when life knocks you down. Though he has taken these lessons for himself, Ryan encourages others to see the life lessons in their own riding experiences.

This article was prepared by an independent contractor and may not be the views of the board of directors of District 23 ARMCA or any of their sponsors or affiliates.