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.
Date of Birth
1981-11-15Riding with Kona since
2002WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KONA IN YOUR QUIVER AND WHY?
I've been spending most of my time riding my Process 134 29 and my Libre the last few months.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?
The thing I am most looking forward to this season is returning to Singletrack6 after a few years off. I really enjoy multi-day MTB stage racing and have grown quite fond of the Canadian Rockies. I am also looking forward to doing some adventure with the Adventure Team this year and rekindling some of the ideas I have had in the past about different ways to appreciate and enjoy traveling the world to race bikes. There is always so much to see, and focusing on getting as much activity as possible during these travels is invigorating.What was your favorite track/Race of 2022 (Doesn't have to be in a race) and why?
My favorite event of 2022 was the Oregon Trail Gravel grinder. It is always super fun to spend a week where riding and racing is the primary goal of everyone, and really to immerse oneself into the experience. It helps that the event is in my backyard, and I get to play sort of "host" to so many people coming to enjoy the beauty and wild lands of Oregon during the event.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 and 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!
Last thing you found?
Peace with my worldLast album you purchased?
Soundtrack from "The French Dispatch"Last account you unfollowed on Instagram?
I don’t understand social mediaLast promise you made?
I promised myself to be more presentLast Podcast or Audio Book you listened to?
The last movie ever madeLast Thing You Googled?
Fischer Transalp 86 skisLast thing you shared?
A cookieLast photo you took?
A photo of my friend Jason fiddling with his skisLast good quote you heard or read?
"The worst thing said about him is that he was "uncurious" –Yvon ChouinardLast time you were scared?
Right before I opened my eyes this morningCAN YOU SHARE WITH US ONE HIGHLIGHT AND LOWLIGHT FROM 2022?
Highlight
A highlight for me in 2022 was racing in the Canadian Rockies 24hr race that Cory Wallace was involved with. I hadn't done a 24hr race in quite a few years, and it was super fun to gather a group of friends and hurl ourselves at the course in Canmore for the weekend. We had epic weather, fun bike riding, and an excellent sleep to racing ratio that I was quite proud of achieving. I am really looking forward to doing that event again in 2023.