Six solo 24-hour World Championships. Two Canadian Marathon Championships. BC Bike Race winner. FKTs on the Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp route, and up Mt Kilimanjaro. Countless miles ridden in Canada, Australia, Italy, Mongolia, Nepal, Africa. If there’s a very long, intensely uncomfortable race in a brutal environment, you can count on Cory to be there, gunning for the podium.
Date of birth
1984-07-13
Riding with Kona since
Since 2010
What’s your favorite Kona in your quiver and why?
The Hei Hei. It is so versatile; I use it for bike packing adventures, winning 24 hr races and even competing in Enduro events.
Where are you from and where do you live?
Jasper Alberta is my hometown. I currently spend around six months in Canada a year between Alberta and BC. The other six months is overseas racing / training with half that time spent in Nepal.
What’s your favorite Kona of all time and why? (you don’t even have to have owned it)
The Explosif made from Scandium. It was my first full on race bike from Kona!
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I’m looking forward to waving the Kona flag again all over the World. Last year was a turbulent year with all the changes but I couldn’t be happier to be back riding full time on Kona bikes again in 2025!
What was your favorite track/race/event of 2024 and why?
My favourite track from 2024 was riding across Nepal on a high route through the Himalayas. Parts of it had been ridden before but some exploring was necessary to connect some of the high mountain regions. It was a ride I had been dreaming about for a long time, so to finally put it together over the course of five weeks was super cool.
Who has most influenced you?
I’ve been lucky to have a number of different influencers over the course of my career. Dave Macdowell really helped me out growing up in Jasper which led to meeting Dik Cox who helped get things started with Kona. Friends like Jack, Leighton, Luke and countless others have all played a huge part in my career.
What was the last gift you received?
Mad Honey from my Himalayan friend Snow Monkey.
If you were a candy bar, which would you be & why?
Snickers. It’s a mix of everything, sort of like the riding I do.
How would your local bicycle mechanic describe you in three words?
Umm, high maintenance.
Last thing you found?
My Kona jersey out in the forest. Some Monkeys stole it off the clothes rack here in Nepal, but I was lucky to find it again.
Last YouTube rabbit hole you fell into?
Can’t remember, been too busy riding in areas with poor internet.
Last account you followed on Instagram?
Bebeto_mendiola – a friend from Mexico who helps run Teenak Racing down south.
Last time you pretended to know what someone was talking about?
Every day here in Nepal when the locals speak to me in their native language.
Last podcast or audio book you listened to?
Spanish lessons two summers ago while driving 21 hours to Colorado for some racing.
Last thing you googled?
Benefits of Himalayan Mad Honey.
Last time you accidentally hit “reply all”?
Just now.
Last excuse you used to skip something?
The monkeys took my clothes.
Last thing you fixed with duct tape?
A down jacket.
Last random object you used as a tool?
A toothpick to change my phone’s sim card.
