RYAN McFARLAND
LIFELONG PASSION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
1968 • CATEGORY INVENTOR
• HOMETOWN RAPID CITY, SD •
NOMINATED BY DONA NESSELHUF
Ryan McFarland is an entrepreneur with a passion for mountain biking and motor sports. Born in Valparaiso, Indiana to Joe and Sandra McFarland, he spent his early years with a grandfather who was a race car owner and a father who owned a motorcycle dealership. In 1979, the family moved to South Dakota and bought a motel in Custer, giving him his first taste of small business. This early exposure to cars, motorcycles, and racing influenced Ryan to ride dirt bikes and mountain bikes, as well as race go-karts and stock cars. He drove his first motorcycle at age 5 and owned his first car at age 12. In High School, he designed an all-terrain wheelchair that climbed stairs and won 1st place at the International Science Fair in Puerto Rico. His mechanical inclination, early exposure to entrepreneurship, and his competitive spirit led him to invent the U.S. Patented Thudbuster suspension seat-post
38 • 2021 HONORS CEREMONY
for bicycles and a U.S. Patented suspension system for wheelchairs. After selling the Thudbuster company, Ryan spent time renovating houses and eventually formed his own mortgage company. During that time Ryan met the love of his life and he and Kristi married in 2001. They have been blessed with two sons, Bode (18) and Jesse (15), both of whom share his love of riding and the outdoors. Ryan’s innovations really kicked into high gear when Bode was two years old. Ryan was eager to have his son join him in adventure sports and the great outdoors. Ryan modified a pedal bike by removing components and making frame modifications until the bike was light, functional, and properly sized for his son, and the Strider Bike was born. Ryan realized that it wasn't just his son
