ENDURANCE

Cory Wallace

I'm a small-town kid from Jasper, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies. Growing up in the mountains, I spent my winters in the hockey rink and the summers riding my bike exploring Jasper National Park. Hockey was awesome, but biking was what I knew would be my lifelong passion. Signing with the Kona Factory Team in my mid-twenties was the catalyst which grew this passion into a career that has taken me on adventures and races all over the world. The longer and harder the ride gets, the happier I get. Winning a natural hattrick of World Solo 24HR Championships titles has been the highlight of my career and I'm excited to find new challenges and adventures on the horizon. It's been an honor to represent a company like Kona which is true to its heart and full of people who love to ride their bikes.

Cory on instagram

RIDER NEWS

DATE OF BIRTH

07/13/1984

RIDING WITH KONA SINCE

1992. On the race team for 10 years.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KONA IN YOUR QUIVER AND WHY?

Hei Hei CR/DL for singletrack and big adventures.
Honzo CR for KOM hunting and European races.
Libre CR/DL for road and gravel riding.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Hometown: Jasper, Alberta
Current: Nomadically chasing races and adventures around the world.

DO YOUR BIKES REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL SETUP TRICKS TO MAKE THEM “JUST RIGHT”?

Foam grips and a bike fit from Luke Way at Balance Point Racing in Kelowna, BC.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON?

Getting back out there chasing down big adventures and winning races after a year of R&R.

WHO IS THE PERSON YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?

Narayan Gopal. He was Nepal's top XC rider when he passed away at the age of 34 at a bike race in Sri Lanka. He came from a very poor upbringing in Nepal and had to work hard just to put food on the table for his family. His passion and love for the sport was second-to-none as he spread a light wherever he was throughout the cycling world. What inspired me the most was how he always put his family first, making sure they had food on the table before he chased his cycling dreams.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TRACK OF 2020 AND WHY?

The riding in the Solukhumbu (Everest) region of Nepal where I was stuck in lockdown for 4 months during the Pandemic. The trails are challenging as they are raw and natural, going all over the countryside. Add in the altitude, which is from 2100-4000 meters, and you have one of the best riding grounds in the world for a mountain biker.

WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU GAVE SOMEONE?

A load of Birch firewood to my friend Dave who helped get me into cycling at a young age.

WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE MOST AND WHY?

Indiana Jones. He's a bit of a Nomad himself as he chases adventures around the World.

HOW WOULD BARRY WICKS DESCRIBE YOU IN JUST THREE WORDS?

crazy. weird. adventurous.

2020 WAS A CRAZY YEAR, CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ONE HIGHLIGHT AND LOWLIGHT?

The highlight was being in a position to help out a bit in Nepal via fundraiser bike rides. Over the course of the pandemic we were able to put 15,000 meals on the table for some of the hardest hit locals. It was amazing to have the chance to spend eight months of the pandemic in Nepal, getting to witness just how tough and resilient the people are. It was inspiring to see them push through a very difficult time with very limited resources. Spending four months of this time in the Everest region, with part of it living in a Monastery with a bunch of Monks, is something I'll never forget.

The lowlight was seeing the world suffer through the global pandemic. In Nepal there was a lot of suffering from the economic turmoil of the pandemic, with many people losing their jobs and going hungry.

Last Thing You Lost?

My Instagram account (@wallacesworld).

Last Video Part That Got You Hyped?

The new Indiana Jones

Last Person you followed on Instagram?

@konabikes

Last TV show you watched?

The USA Election gong show

Last song you listened to?

Hell of a View, Eric Church

Last poster pinned to your bedroom wall?

Prayer flags from Nepal

Last Meal?

Wild Sockeye salmon, Buckwheat groats, Kale salad

Last time you got a flat tire on a bike?

Long time ago, we run Maxxis tires which are pretty bombproof!

Last book you read?

The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Mysticism

Last thing you gave up for good?

My last Instagram account.