Ep 120 | Skyler Taylor
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Skyler Taylor’s journey from a junior mountain bike World Cup racer to a top-tier gravel contender is a masterclass in reinvention. After stepping away from elite cycling to pursue a career and personal growth, he returned with a strategic, self-funded resurgence that culminated in a UCI win and a hard-fought wildcard spot in the Lifetime Grand Prix. His story defies the myth of cycling as a linear, all-in pursuit—instead, it’s a blueprint for midlife athletic reinvestment, where a decade-long pause didn’t end a career but recharged it. What makes his path unique isn’t just his results, but his hyper-organized approach: meticulous nutrition planning (120g carbs/hour), custom bike fits, and a sponsor ecosystem built on authenticity rather than brand loyalty. He’s not a specialist, but an all-rounder who thrives on versatility—proving that in today’s gravel world, being good at everything can be a superpower. His 2026 season is already mapped with precision: a full focus on the Grand Prix, a shot at the UCI Worlds, and even a track race in Traka to shake up his training. This isn’t just about winning—it’s about proving that you can return, retool, and compete at the highest level on your own terms.
Quit your job at 31 to race full-time after a career break, proving midlife athletic reinvestment is viable
Win a UCI race by focusing on smaller, high-impact events instead of chasing prestige at Euro gravel races
Use a custom nutrition plan with 120g carbs/hour and 1.5L fluid/lap to fuel multi-hour gravel races
Leverage personal relationships (mom, girlfriend) for feed support in races with no team logistics
Build a flexible sponsor ecosystem with custom kits, no drivetrain lock-in, and no brand loyalty
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & Introduction to Skyler Taylor
Amanda Sheik introduces Skyler Taylor, a rising star in the gravel racing scene, highlighting his recent second-place finish to Cam Jones at the Oregon Trail Stage Race and his unique non-traditional path to elite racing.
The Unconventional Path: From Junior World Cup to Career Break
Skyler reflects on his early racing career as a junior World Cup mountain biker, the shock of transitioning to U23 racing, and his decision to step away from cycling to focus on education and a career.
The Return: Rekindling Passion After a 10-Year Hiatus
Skyler recounts his gradual return to racing starting around 2019, including his first big gravel race at Belgian Waffle Ride, and how the pandemic accelerated his commitment to full-time racing.
The 'Hardcore Has-Beens' Era & Building a Foundation
Skyler shares the humorous origin of his team name 'Hardcore Has-Beens' with fellow ex-rowers, and details how he rebuilt his racing foundation with support from Above Category and his former coach.
The Injury That Changed Everything: 2024 Crash & Career Pivot
“I felt like I almost went the other way. It was kind of like, I'd had this thought... maybe I should just go all in now, you know, like I don't have that much time and juggling this isn't working that well.”
“I had just edged him out there. So I ended up with that final fourth spot to get into the Grand Prix.”
“I was more focused on Drew and a few of the other wild card riders because I know them and I know that they were in the series and it just didn't occur to me that... this other rider, uh, may also be in that.”
“I was doing just over 120 grams an hour, uh, during the race. And, uh, I was doing about, let's see, this would be 1 .5 liters of liquid per lap as”
Host
Guest
Lifetime Grand Prix
other
Skyler Taylor
person
Pinarello
brand
Sea Otter Classic
other
Amanda Sheik
person
Above Category
brand
Brennan Wertz
person
Cycle Limited
brand
Unbound Gravel
other
Chad
person
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