Why I Ride: Mountain Biking Checks All the Boxes for Cole Beckham
When Cole Beckham of Webb City, Missouri began mountain biking about 15 years ago, it immediately made perfect sense to him. Cole says, “I loved the feeling of riding fast through trees, along with the physical challenge, and just having another excuse to spend time outdoors.
“It definitely checked every box for me – fitness, adventure, skills progression, and mental engagement – and I was hooked on it almost immediately.”
Cole quickly showed an exuberant enthusiasm for this recreational sport, and he says, “I am passionate about mountain biking and just cycling in general. My first real exposure to mountain biking – riding trails through the woods – came in college with my roommate.
“I’d already developed a strong interest in the outdoors through camping, backpacking, and hiking, so the idea of combining that connection to nature with speed, skill, and adrenaline immediately resonated with me.”
It just didn’t take long at all for Cole to experience tremendous delight from mountain biking and he says, “I fell in love with the sport right away and have been riding ever since, aside from a couple of unavoidable breaks due to knee surgeries from soccer injuries.”
Not so much unlike most youngsters that had barely learned to walk, Cole says, “Bike riding was a big part of my childhood. I started riding my first pedal bike when I was three years old. I spent countless hours riding around the neighborhood with friends. It was freedom, independence, and fun, all rolled into one.”
Fondly recollecting his first riding memory some three decades ago, Cole says, “The earliest bike I clearly remember having was a coaster-brake BMX bike.
“I remember pedaling as fast as I could down the driveway and slamming on the brakes just to see how far I could skid the rear tire. My parents weren’t exactly thrilled about all the tire marks on the concrete.”
That determined little boy trying for the longest skid on his driveway all those years ago still brings that energy to competitions today. Cole says, “I typically race two to three enduro events per year.
“I enjoy the competition and the structure of race weekends, but I don’t race with the goal of moving up through the ranks or categories. It’s more about personal challenge, experience, and enjoying the event atmosphere for me.”
Describing these enduro races, Cole says, “They’re usually 15 to 20 miles and are structured around multiple timed stages spread throughout the course. Riders must complete the entire course within a cut-off time.
“Only specific downhill or technical segments are timed and count toward overall placement. I enjoy this format because it aligns with my riding style. I like a steady, conversational climb, followed by pushing myself as hard as possible on the descents.”
There’s not much preparation in advance of these events and Cole says, “Because enduro racing closely matches how I normally ride, I don’t do a lot of specialized training.
“The biggest focus is endurance – race days are long days on the bike – and making sure I’m riding consistently. The more time I spend on the bike and the more in tune I am with it, the better I perform on race day.”
While mountain biking can be taxing, Cole seems to thrive with it and he says, “The things that make it challenging are also what keep me deeply engaged. It’s physically demanding, which I enjoy far more than going to a gym to stay in shape. Beyond that, one of the biggest challenges is confronting fear.
“The process of seeing a feature that intimidates you, working up to it, and eventually conquering it is incredibly rewarding. That combination of fear, adrenaline, and endorphin release is rare to find as an adult and offers a powerful perspective on personal growth and confidence.”
The way Cole sees it, mountain biking is just such a magnificent activity, and he says, “Most of what I enjoy ties back to that challenge and progression. I also love introducing new people to the sport.
“Riding with my son and sharing that experience with him has also been especially meaningful. Seeing this sport through fresh eyes reminds me why I fell in love with it in the first place.”
As much as Cole loves this sport, it can be dangerous along rugged routes and trails, and he says, “Safety is so important to me. Mountain biking involves taking measured risks, and progression often comes with failure as well, but that doesn’t mean being careless.
“I always wear a helmet and gloves, and when I plan to push my limits, I add elbow and knee pads. I always ride in bike-specific flat pedal shoes. Having a solid platform and reliable grip on the pedals dramatically increases both confidence and control, which directly translates to safer riding.”
When it comes to ‘safe riding’ there’s nowhere better to go hang out than MOmentum Bike Park in Joplin, Missouri and as someone who played an integral role in helping to create this facility that features 10 miles of trails, plus bike park elements for riders of all ages and skill levels, this is a place that’s quite special to Cole.
“My connection to MOmentum Bike Park runs deep,” he says. “It is owned by the City of Joplin and operated by the Parks and Recreation Department. It is the largest bike park in Missouri and stands out nationally as one of the few facilities where riders of vastly different skill levels can be fully engaged at the same time.”
Cole, VP of Design at American Ramp Company where he leads multidisciplinary teams of civil engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals in the planning and delivery of some of the largest and most impactful action sports parks in the country says, “The inclusivity at MOmentum Bike Park isn’t accidental. It’s the concept I advocated for and helped design.
“MOmentum Bike Park allows myself, as an experienced rider, to be challenged for hours, while my son, who is still learning, can safely build his skills, confidence, and independence on features designed specifically for progression. Few bike parks in the country successfully balance that spectrum of ability in one cohesive space.”
Providing more insight on all that this facility encompasses, Cole says, “At its core, MOmentum Bike Park is all about healthy living, outdoor recreation, and community. It’s about progression – for individuals, families, and the city itself.
“I truly believe it represents the beginning of a whole new identity for Joplin, and one that is centered around access to world-class outdoor amenities and long-term community engagement.”
Although Cole is closely connected to MOmentum Bike Park and mountain biking, his active lifestyle hasn’t been focused solely on individual physical activities and he says, “I’ve always loved team sports and competition in general. Soccer was my best sport – I played through college and briefly at a semi-professional level – but I played just about everything growing up.
“Eventually, I had to narrow my focus in high school. Even now, I will still play soccer, softball, volleyball, golf, pickleball, and other sports through adult leagues. I just love competing and spending time with friends.”
Whether bike riding is his ‘favorite’ recreational preference or not, Cole obviously gets a great deal of satisfaction from it, and he says, “I wouldn’t say mountain biking replaced traditional sports for me, because I’ve always pursued both.
“What I will say is that mountain biking was the first activity that engaged me on the same level as team sports. It doesn’t require a team, a referee, or formal organization – you can simply go ride.”
Expounding on the idea of how simple it is to ‘go ride’ and what makes it so appealing, Cole says, “The accessibility makes it much easier to integrate into everyday life. At the same time, it still has a strong social component, and I’m always inviting friends and family to ride with me. It’s flexible, challenging, and deeply rewarding.”
From a small child skidding down the driveway, to a young adult who has built a career around cycling and rides any chance he gets, Cole is clearly right at home in this environment and likely wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cole Beckham Why I Ride Fast Facts
Age: 34 years old
Family: Son, 6-year-old Bear Beckham
Hometown (Born & Raised): Joplin, Missouri
Current Hometown: Webb City, Missouri
High School Alma Mater/Year Graduated: Carthage, Missouri High School/2010
College Alma Mater/Year Graduated: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Miami, Oklahoma)/2013
College Degree: Computer Science
Jobs/Job Titles Most of Adult Life: VP – Design at American Ramp Company (Joplin, Missouri)
Mentor/Influence in Your Life: Mother, siblings, and a couple of great bosses
Hobbies: Mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, most team sports, travelling, and hanging out with siblings & friends
