Barry Wicks has been riding with Kona for 20 years. From his early successes chasing the World Cup Mountain Bike and Cyclocross circuits, Barry then moved into great success in multi-day MTB stage racing, winning top events like the BC Bike Race and Trans Rockies multiple times over. These days Barry contents himself with a focus on high quality experiential events, dabbling in gavel racing, leading the Kona Adventure Team on journeys far and wide, and slinging Pizzas from his underground, illegal pizza restaurant in Bend, Oregon. You’ll likely still find Barry at lots of races, enjoying the mass of humanity and occasionally and accidentally still landing on podiums when he gets a wild hair or when there is a lot of gravity assistance involved.
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MORE FROM THE COG WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
I grew up in the lush, rainy Willamette Valley of Oregon, but now live in Bend to help balance out the influx of out-of-state tourists.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KONA OF ALL TIME AND WHY? (YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO HAVE OWNED IT)
I have always wanted a Ti Humu, and of course, the elusive Zone road bike which I had a hand in developing.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON?
Seeing all my friends and riding bikes in cool new places.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TRACK/RACE OF 2021 (DOESN’T HAVE TO BE IN A RACE) AND WHY?
I always enjoy the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder because it’s five days of forgetting about everything else and playing in the woods with a bunch of awesome people.
WHO HAS MOST INFLUENCED YOU?
My Friends Katerina Nash and Geoff Kabush are the people I most look up to in the cycling world. They think hard about things, care about cycling, and are very fun to hang out with.
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
A sushi dinner from the best secret sushi chef in Bend.
IF YOU WERE A CEREAL, WHICH WOULD YOU BE & WHY?
Muesli from a ski Refugio in the Dolomites. I might be hard to find but you’ll be blown away by my deliciousness.
HOW WOULD YOUR LOCAL COFFEE BARISTA DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS?
Tall. Curly. Small Cappuccino and an ocean roll please!
2021 STARTED TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN, CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ONE HIGHLIGHT AND LOWLIGHT?
Last thing you Found?
Peace with my world
Last album you purchased?
Sound Track from "The French Dispatch"
Last account you unfollowed on Instagram?
I don’t understand social media
Last promise you made?
I promised myself to be more present
Last podcast or audio book you listened to?
The last movie ever made
Last thing you googled?
Fischer Transalp 86 skis
Last thing you shared?
A cookie
Last good quote you heard or read?
"The worst thing said about him is that he was "uncurious" Yvon Chouinard
Last photo you took?
A photo of my friend Jason fiddling with his skis
Last time you were scared?
Right before I opened my eyes this morning
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