My name is Miss Cory Coffey and I am from Ojai, California. I’m currently in the process of celebrating my 27th year in life, which happens to be my golden year.
Sponsors: Truth, Fluid, Women’s Sports Foundation, Redline Bicycles, and Pryme Gear are my sponsors for 2009.
How did you get into riding BMX?
I started riding BMX when I was 14. There were some kids in my neighborhood that raced, so I started riding the local bmx tracks. I raced for three years then started riding an amazing indoor skatepark called Skate Street. RIP
What style of riding would you say you have?I would label my riding style as pretty chill. I love to just cruise around a park, pick fun little lines. I would prefer to just ride fun dirt stuff rather than parks.
When I started riding, my female role models were you, Nina Buitrago and Stacey Mulligan, apparently you never had one, has that changed at all today? May there be a rider that you find really inspiring to watch?
Yeah, I didn’t have a role model growing up. I do admire quite a few riders out there, and just seeing people push the limits. It’s pretty rad to see all the women out there shredding especially the ones from the land down under!
Ok, I gotta add this one in, you met Laila Ali, what was she like?
Laila Ali was definitely a cool person to meet. I remember standing and looking at her, admiring all that she has accomplished and thinking how rad it was that she could probably take out anyone in the room. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet many women athletes through the Women’s Sports Foundation. When I meet another woman that shreds at something, it inspires me to keep doing what I do.
Laila Ali, otherwise known for her famous father, also holds a record of 24 wins and 0 loses. Even with an impressive record, she’s been criticized to have purposely avoid challenges from other women boxing champions. Being who you are, you have obviously faced some criticism yourself, would you care to share some of them and how you’ve dealt with those who criticize you?
Criticism is going to happen to everyone at some point in their life. I think the best thing to do is just roll with the punches, not let it get to you.
It seems like for a bit I didn’t see much media coverage on you, what’s up with that?
I was laying low for a long time because I endured over ten knee surgeries which have caused me to be in and out of bike riding. I also went from a teenage girl to a young woman and have had a hard time figuring out how bicycle riding will play into my future. It’s a hard thing to try and explain. I also had a bad mt. bike accident where I flew off a 100 foot cliff. Then last year, I smashed my face in riding at Woodward in the winter. That left me with a new grill, a racked brain, and wouldn’t stop repeating in my head for quite some time. I basically have had to reevaluate bicycle riding in many ways and come up with some sort of goal, like be able to walk when I’m 30. I don’t really know which injury has been the worst, but I know I never want to smash my face in again
We’re looking forward to your return in July for the Worlds in Germany, do you have any expectations for yourself or the competition?I am definitely looking forward to Germany in July. I have big expectations for myself. I’m training everyday now to build muscle so my silly knees feel good so I can give it my all. I just want to be healthy, strong and up to par for the Worlds. I’m super excited for the contest, should be one of the biggest turnouts for girls! A rad time to hangout, meet new riders, hunt for the jaguar shark, explore and play on bicycles in other countries!
Is there anything you want to plug while were here or someone you would like to thank?
I would like to thank all my sponsors: Redline, Fluid, Truth, Women’s Sports Foundation, and Pryme. Also thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, without You, life would be meaningless. Thanks to my friends, family and the one who broke my heart.
images: Miss Cory Coffey
