Jasperite places 12th in Costa Rican mountain bike race

Earlier this month, Jasperite Cory Wallace placed 12th in La Ruta de los Conquistadores, a grueling, four-day mountain biking challenge across Costa Rica, against about 400 competitors from 35 countries around the world.

“It’s well known as being the toughest mountain biking event on the planet,” Wallace, 24, said in a phone interview from Central America last week. “You suffer lots in the heat and all the climate, but you see some amazing places.” 

The 380 km course runs over volcanoes, through the jungle, and past obstacles. “One day you go up a volcano and it’s kind of cool at the top, the next day you’re along the ocean and it’s like an oven,” he said. “And the whole way is open to vehicles, people, cows. It’s kind of like the ultimate challenge. 

“There’s lots of bike races, but none as complete as this one.”

Though the biking fanatic was hoping to break the top ten, he did improve on last year’s result?– by one place – and would have done better had mechanical troubles not gotten in his way. “I was in the top ten until I flatted a bunch of times,” he said. Five flat tires on Day 4 held Wallace back.

The race, which runs Nov. 12 to 15, boasts $30,000 in prizes for riders who place in the top five. 

As highest-ranking Canadian in the event, Wallace trailed behind six Costa Ricans, for whom La Ruta is huge. “To the locals this is bigger than the Olympics,” Wallace said. “People are lining up and down the highway.”

Vicki, Wallace’s mother, said she and his father support him 100 per cent, and she’s proud not only of her son’s success but also that Wallace has always worked hard by tree-planting or taking on other jobs to support himself while competing. “It takes my breath away sometimes,” she said.

Dave MacDowell, avid cyclist, said he was impressed by the results of La Ruta. “I think he’s sorta found his niche in these marathon slash ultra slash stage race mountain bike races,” MacDowell said. “He seems to do better the longer and more adverse conditions. 

“I think he’s doing great right now and hopefully he can continue to.”

Wallace said he plans to compete in the race again next year, when the time length will be extended by one day, more hike-a-bike sessions will be added, and pavement sections of the course will be eliminated. Next up for Wallace is a 7-day race in Mexico starting Feb. 22.