INSPIRATION
Tell us a little about yourself—your name, where you live, and what you do.
I’m Corina Montero, currently based in Milan, Italy. I work as an interior designer and graphic creator, though that’s evolving into something new.
How would you describe your riding style and what drew you to cycling?
My style is rule-less, off-road and gravel. I started commuting, then a friend introduced me to a long cycle lane south of Milan. I tried it once, got hooked, and started exploring further. A year later, I cycled from Milan to Barcelona to visit friends! Curiosity first drew me to adventure cycling—wanting to see what’s out there and how I’d handle different challenges. That curiosity turned into excitement, and now it’s my way of life.
What do you love most about riding?
It’s a constant reminder of my body’s power, my freedom, and the joy of discovery. Every ride feels like an adventure, even close to home. I also love how off-road and gravel riding make me feel more connected to nature.
Photo by Marco Ricci
What’s your bike of choice and go-to cycling kit?
Any light gravel bike with good tyre clearance and an adventure-friendly gear setup. Right now, in winter, my go-to kit is the Jupiter long sleeve jersey and Escape bib tights in blackberry from the Phosphoria collection. Oh, and always a merino neck warmer and gloves!
What advice would you give to someone new to cycling?
Just try it—no need to overthink! Use the bike you have, wear what’s comfortable, and explore.
Top three beginner tips?
1. Bring a repair kit—even if you don’t know how to use it yet. Other cyclists can always lend a hand.
2. Find your rhythm and trust it. Riding at your own pace makes it more enjoyable and takes you further.
3. Please, wear a helmet!
What would you say to women considering bikepacking?
Go for it—preferably with a bit of company for the first few trips. If it goes well, you’ll discover a whole new world. If not, you’ll still learn a lot about yourself. Either way, it’s worth it.
If you could relive one cycling experience, what would it be?
Starting. From the very first ride until the last: with all the people I’ve encountered, the places near home that feel like a discovery, all the first-timers, the events, the longer travels and adventures. There’s something enchanting about it and I like to think that every new adventure is a start, something I barely know about but will discover.
What has been your best and worst day on the bike?
Best: Wow, this is a very hard question, thinking about it, I’ve been through a lot of “best” days and moments on the bike. I think from the list, the first one that comes to my mind right now is a weekend I spent last summer doing an off-road ride from Cuneo, Italy. I did some mountain passes for the first time, went to France and actually had to face one of my fears, sheepdogs! That weekend definitely had all the ingredients to be a nice adventure, new places, fear, joy and discovery all together.
Worst: It was a moment I remember pretty clearly. I felt mentally drained and thought I couldn’t make it any further, it was frustrating because it was a short ride and I really wanted it to be good. I realised when I came back home that, ironically, to ride back I had to pedal and keep moving, so I took it as a lesson. Sometimes we underestimate ourselves because of what’s going on in our minds and I wouldn’t like to miss out on nice things because of that.
Why do you choose to wear IRIS and what’s your favourite ensemble?
I choose to wear IRIS because of how I feel in it. The colors and all the matching options really let your mind fly when it comes to choosing a full outfit, and of course the best part is that you can be sure you’ll be comfortable in whatever piece you choose! Can I choose a full collection instead of an ensemble? Because that would be Phosphoria!
What’s next for you in cycling?
I’ll be riding plenty of one-day gravel events in Italy and abroad. I’m also curious about long-distance riding, so I’ll be tackling some ultra-racing routes in bikepacking mode. And of course, I won’t miss a Weekender if there’s one happening soon!
Have you participated in a women’s-only ride or event?
Yes! A couple that stand out are the Komoot Women’s Rally in Slovenia and the Komoot x IRIS Women’s Weekender in the Black Forest. Both were incredible, but the best part was the sense of community. Strangers became friends in 72 hours—through rain, tough climbs, and cooking pasta at the campsite. These moments are truly special, and I hope more women get to experience them!
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I have great memories there with awesome people, and I really hope one day I can ride through its mountains! Changing places and learning about a new culture and language was challenging at first but after 8 years in Italy I’ve realised how much I’ve been able to grow and do here!
