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Cole Paton discovered his love of mountain biking while working at his family’s sporting goods store in Cashmere, Washington. Following a successful collegiate racing career at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, which included four national titles, Cole began a professional racing career with the Giant Factory Off-Road Team. He later chose the privateer route, still supported by Giant, and began focusing on gravel racing. He finished fourth overall in the inaugural edition of the Life Time Grand Prix series in 2022 and had an even stronger 2023 season with podium placings at the Sea Otter Classic, Leadville Trail 100, and Chequamegon, improving to third overall in the LTGP series. Cole also added to his stars-and-stripes jersey collection in 2023, winning the U.S. Mountain Bike Marathon National Championship.

TeamGravel
HometownCashmere, Washington
Main disciplinesEndurance racing, gravel and mountain bike
Top results
  • 2023 U.S. national marathon XC champion
  • 3rd overall in 2023 Life Time Grand Prix
  • 3rd at 2023 Life Time Leadville Tail 100 (Colorado)
  • 3rd at 2023 Life Time Fuego XL Marathon MTB (California)
  • 3rd at 2023 Life Time Chequamegon MTB (Wisconsin)
  • 4th at 2023 Life Time Big Sugar Gravel (Arkansas)
  • 1st at 2022 Mid South Gravel (Oklahoma)
  • 2nd at 2022 Life Time Crusher in the Tushar (Utah)
  • 1st at 2021 Chequamegon MTB (Wisconsin)
  • 1st at 2021 Iceman Cometh MTB (Michigan)
What drew you to this type of ridingExploring the mountains on two wheels and challenging myself with technical terrain.
Ideal training rideWith my girlfriend and a solid group of good buddies. Somewhere deep in the mountains where you don’t see any other humans. Smash together up the climbs and ride on the edge down the descents. Stop for snack breaks along the way and maybe even jump in a lake or river, too.
How do you push through suffer sessionsRefocus the mind and find the flow state.
Ideal raceThe more technical the better.
Favorite place to ride
Girona, Spain
What you bring on every rideFood and water
Favorite CADEX productCadex AR 35 gravel wheels
Tips for aspiring racersThe process takes patience. Cycling should be fun. Chase the extraordinary moments and don’t forget to enjoy the ordinary ones.
Life mottoIf you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.