Wise Words is our new interview series talking to some of mountain biking’s most switched on people.
We’ll ask our short list of questions to a heap of influential, inspiring and outspoken people that we feel are driving the direction of mountain biking today. Some will make you think, some will make you laugh, some will be plain dumb, some will inspire you to better yourself and your riding. We hope!
Wise Words in the week of Christmas comes from none other than Jordi Cortes.
Jordi’s official title is Global Race Department Manager for Fox Suspension. You will no doubt have seen him in many Syndicate videos helping Greg Minnaar and Loris Vergier get the best out of their bikes, but that is just the tip of the iceberg at a World Cup, and you can add the EWS series and testing days with teams throughout the year. This guy knows his dampers.
How would your closest riding buddies describe you to someone who has never met you?
You know, that guy who hates shuttles and lifts but still can’t pedal for shit?
What thing or things have you bought in the last year that had the biggest effect on your life as a mountain biker / cyclist / person that works in the bike industry?
I hate the idea of buying anything to make you better… it’s never worked. But I got a gym programme from Chris Kilmurray that’s done wonders for my off season. So maybe buying someone’s time and expertise is valid.
What unusual habits do you have as a bike rider?
I spend a ton of time reading the latest sport and performance information then get completely shit faced and eat a box of doughnuts. A bit counterproductive.
What piece of advice do you think every mountain bike rider should hear? And what piece should they ignore?
Don’t ignore anything, keep your mind open but use some common sense as well.
If you could go back and re-ride one day from your life so far, where/what/when/who would it be? Would you change anything?
I wouldn’t. Each experience is its own special thing, good or bad. Just go do something else and make more memories.
What have you wasted the most time on in your life as a rider or bike industry career that you wished you’d given up years ago?
I can be such a hater… E-bikes… euro bike parks. Need to quit that.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re struggling or lacking inspiration?
Riding inspiration. I really don’t stress on it. It’ll come or go, just do something else. Work inspiration? I usually go ride.
What single and specific thing about riding bicycles do you gain the most happiness from?
Just that first step on the pedal where the feeling of riding a bike hits. Fast, slow, dirt, street. Whatever.
What single thing would you like to erase from cycling history from the last year?
I guess the basic “doping” but may a bit different than some. Coming from inside and knowing the complete story but having to listen or read these idiots assumptions when they have no clue.
What single thing would you like to make happen in the cycling world in the next year?
For people to stop asking me to set there bikes up over Instagram…
Barring that, at least in the States bikes are still seen as second class. Riding the roads is terrifying. So bike awareness that would then bring more people into cycling.
Who else should we ask these questions to?
Chris Kilmurray and Ariel Lindsley.
