Since joining Steed in 2025, Pat Cox has become a pretty integral part of our team. As a Store Supervisor, he brings more than 20 years of experience in the bike industry to the shop, helping customers find the right gear, supporting and managing our sales team, and sharing the kind of knowledge that only comes from decades spent around bikes.
And if you’ve met Pat, you also know that he brings plenty of energy wherever he goes. He’s the guy who can turn a regular day at the shop into a good time.
So when Cycling Canada selected Pat as a mechanic for the Canadian team at the 2026 UCI Downhill World Championships, we were pretty proud to see one of our own heading to the world stage. We sat down with Pat before and after Worlds to talk about the opportunity, his experience in the industry, and what goes into supporting athletes at DH World Championships.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANDY VATHIS
BEFORE WORLDS
Steed — For those who haven't had the chance to meet you at the shop or in a previous life, tell us a bit about yourself and your background in cycling.
Pat — I started working in bikes shops in 2003 as a mechanic in Squamish till 2019. Pivoted briefly to be an industry Tech Rep for Rocky Mountain Bicycles for six and a half year. Currently working as the Sales Supervisor at Steed Cycles for the past 2 year.
I supported Cycling Canada project back in 2023 where I was one of 4 mechanics for the Christmas Cyclocross project in Belgium. A three week intense race calendar from World Cup races to Superprestige races.
Steed — You’ve had a pretty epic career in the bike industry, including several years as a Tech Rep with Rocky Mountain Bicycles. What are some of the experiences from that time that shaped the way you approach bikes and working with athletes?
Pat — The extrovert in me has always allowed me approach people and situation with a broad scope to be able to analyze and determine best course of action for individuals, athletes and customers I've worked with in the past.
Steed — As you already mentioned, you’ve had the chance to work as a mechanic with the Canadian Cyclocross Team, including travelling to races in Europe. What did that experience teach you about working with a national team, and how will it be similar or different from working at World Championships with DH riders?
Pat — The Belgium project I attended with Cycling Canada was tremendiously different then the upcoming DH World Championship.
The logistic of packing vans full or gear for the pit area, 2 bikes per athlete, 10 athletes total. The early morning travel to race venues, setup, wrench, cyclecross pit bike hand over/ power wash before racer is back next lap. Tearing down, driving back to the house to then service 20 bikes with the 3 other mechanics made for long days and long nights. But the take away from it all was fantastic for the logistic and planning side of things for me.
Steed — How did the opportunity to work as a mechanic with the Canadian National DH Team at the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships come about? What did it mean to you to be selected for the team?
Pat — Cycling Canada has a roster of about 25 mechanics and select mechanics according to their strengths and availability. I've turned down some project in the past due to obligation with my full-time employment. I was over-the-moon stoked when I received the email and I'm extremely grateful to Kim Steed and Steve Savage for giving me the ability to attend the World Champs.
Steed — What did your preparation for Worlds look like? Were there specific things you did differently to get yourself, your tools and your setup ready for an international championship?
Pat — The small side of me with OCD had me prepping my tools and toolbox the same day I got the email I was asked to attend. Haha. Mental check list had already begun thinking of logistics. For those who know me, they would not be surprised to hear this. I treat every bike I work on the same way, both personally and in a professional setting.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANDY VATHIS
AFTER WORLDS
Steed — What does a typical day look like for a team mechanic during race week, from arriving at the venue in the morning to race day?
Pat — Its starts with a cup of coffee and going over the prep list needed for the day in the pits. Then packing the van with bikes, tools, stands and spare parts. Driving to the venue, setting up the pits, checking over the bikes again.
Riders regularly come back to the pits during practice to replace parts, tires, change psi in tires or suspension tweaking. Then we pack up and get back to the hotel to clean and tune the bikes for the next day. Then after dinner, we host a team meeting and download about the day.
Steed — What are some of the biggest challenges of keeping a downhill bike and athlete dialled during a World Championship? Are there particular things you have to pay attention to that most people watching the racing would never see?
Pat — The biggest challenge is ensuring going from tip to tail of every part of the bikes on a daily basis. Athlete stress is also a big challenge to keep they mind at ease during seeding and finals to give them piece of mind that they have the best setup possible on their bike so they can focus souly on racing.
What were some of the highlights or memorable moments from your week at Worlds?
Pat — There were so many great moments throughout the week. Seeing Jenna, a junior racing at her first World Cup, finish 5th overall in the finals was pretty special. Raf finishing 5th in the U23 XCO, and then watching Jackson Goldstone take 1st and defend his title, was also an incredible moment. And, of course, simply being in Val di Sole made the whole experience pretty unforgettable.
If you ever stop by the shop, make sure to say hi to Pat. With more than 20 years in the bike industry and now a World Championship team mechanic under his belt, he’s got plenty of stories, knowledge, and advice to share.
