Getting to Know Cody Kelley

CODY KELLEY

---

If you think about all of the great riders who have made their mark on the sport over the years, they've all had their signature style. Something unique that made them stand out from the crowd and we're not talking about results here, as they only tell us so much. From those with the loud personalities to others who always seemed to have the nicest bikes and the craziest custom paint jobs on their helmets. But for others, what made them stand out was their effortless ability to combine both speed and style and deliver it a way that dropped jaws and stoked the fire of anyone who loves to ride bikes. From his long hair to an unmistaken ability to make his bike float and dance over whatever is put before him, you can spot Cody Kelley from a mile away. In only a short space of time, he's risen from an up-and-coming DH racer to web edit star and now with the world at his feet, and on a factory race team, he's about to embark on a year racing the Enduro World Series. Mark our words, Cody is a rider we'll all be seeing more of in the near future...



Who is Cody Kelley?

Just a kid chasing his dreams of racing bikes for a living… Ha, knowing where it all began, it’s pretty surreal to be where we are now. Still got plenty of steps on the ladder to climb yet though.


Where are you from and where do you live?

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA… Honestly not a bad spot with a solid riding community and loads of trails to get out and ride on. I've never been a huge fan of the snow though so my winters consist of a fair bit of traveling. On a sicko trip to New Zealand and Australia at the moment!


Who do you ride for?

Just teamed up with Yeti/Fox to be a part of their World Enduro Team. Stoked for the opportunity and looking forward to shredding some trails with the one-and-only Richie Rude. Team sponsors are: Shimano, Maxxis, DT Swiss, Giro, Renthal, Chris King, Ion, Honey Stinger, One Up, Stages, Feedback, Pedro’s, Victory Circle Graphics, as well as my personal addition of Oakley and Stance Socks


Where are you happiest?

In the mountains ripping trails with some good dudes. I really enjoy racing no doubt, but it’s hard to beat an adventure with friends filled with laughs, wild moments, beers, or whatever else the day may throw at you.

It’s been one of the biggest focuses my entire life and I feel like it’s started to pay off as of late. Always room to grow though, so I’ll keep pushing that as well as all aspects of my riding and racing.

What are your weaknesses?

Hmm, I feel like I have a few areas to my riding and racing that struggle a bit. Been putting my head down lately and trying to clean up everything. I guess time will tell if my work will pay off or not...




What’s been your worst crash over the years?

I had a massive off a few winters ago while riding in SoCal with Bubba Warren. I came out of it with nothing but a sore neck, but it was a scary moment for sure. Basically, we were guinea pigging a 55-60 foot fader that we had built. I got a bit too far forward on the lip and it sent me in a nose heavy dead sailor. You can imagine the rest… It ended with a broken helmet and my neck brace being snapped into three pieces!


What’s been your luckiest escape?

Man, there has been so many wild moments over the years, it’s hard to choose just one… I popped outta my clips over a decent sized jump in Keystone, Colorado. That was a bit wild for sure, side-saddled on the bike doing about 35-40mph on pretty roughed up trail. Was lucky enough to get back on it just in time for a rock garden, ha-ha.


Which bike from over the years, conjures up the best memories?

I had a Stumpjumper Evo 29 that I rode for almost two full seasons. That thing had so many miles on it, it was crazy! I retired the DH bike right around that time so it was basically my everything bike at the time. Competed in a few downhill and enduro races and even a slalom race. Tons of podiums and good results on that machine too... Good times were had for sure!


What bikes are you riding right now?

I’ve been spending a good amount of time aboard my Yeti SB6C… The thing just rips the descents and hits the climbs better than any bike I’ve ever been on with the same amount of travel. Got an SB5C and an SB4.5C on deck as well.




Who’s your favorite rider?

Hard to pinpoint one rider isn’t it? It’s rad to watch Minnaar just make everything look so smooth and clean, but it’s also sick to watch (Sam) Hill get loose and have a whole different outlook on the course. I guess I appreciate the variety of it more than just one single rider. I have massive amounts of respect for riders that have dominated multiple disciplines like Graves and Anne Caroline Chausson; that takes a special athlete.


What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?

I play some basketball here and there, but I'm not any good, by any means… But I mainly like being outdoors! I do a bit of fishing, some camping, swimming and such.


What are you listening to right now?

Actually, I'm not listening to anything surprisingly. Limited data in a foreign country equals no music streaming. Ol Rude Boy and myself are watching some Family Guy though.


What’s your favorite movie/ TV show?

Seinfeld for sure! The best TV show out there, hands down.




What’s your favorite non-bike website?

Do moto sites count? I spend my fair share of time on the vurbmoto site…


What’s your favorite motto or saying?

"Hold it wide and let it slide!


What grinds your gears?

I try to keep a positive outlook on everything in life. I don’t like to spend too much time down in the dumps.


What makes you happy?

Bikes… enough said




If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?

Never really thought about it too much. When I started racing BMX as a grom I always knew this is what I wanted to do. I guess I’d probably be doing a hands-on job somewhere. Definitely wouldn’t be in an office!


If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?

Hmm, I’m not sure. With how fast cycling as a whole is growing it’s hard to say what needs to be done to make improvements… Because one minor tweak could send us in a back spin or vice versa. I will say that I feel like athletes in gravity fed racing are underpaid. That’s one thing that should change for sure.





When you hang up your racing shoes, how do you want to be remembered?

I want to try and inspire people. I’m all about good health and good living so what better way to do that than ride bikes? So when the ol' racing boots go on the shelf for the last time I want people to be able to look at my career or videos or whatever else there may be, and inspire them to get out and ride bikes!


What does the future hold for Cody Kelley?

You can plan on plenty more video projects and racing. I truly like to shoot videos and see all the feedback from the viewers. As far as my racing goes, I’m doing everything in my power to get out there and have some good runs this year on the EWS Circuit.

---

MENTIONS: @kelleymtb / @yeticycles / @foxracingshox / @GiroSportDesign / @shimano / @joeyschusler / @RideDirtWake / @Maxxis / @oakley

---