How do you get to the top of your sport when you’ve got a full-time job? If anyone would know, it would be Skyler Taylor, an elite bike racer and AC-supported rider never far from the podium, despite the demands of a busy working life and, this year, a mid-season injury. We sat down with him to talk about, amongst other things, time, control and his Mosaic GT-1 i45, this week’s BOTW.
Skyler, it's been a hot minute since we last caught up. We know you have had a pretty eventful race season so far, with some ups and some downs. Can you give us a quick rundown on what races you have done so far this year?
Yeah, it's been a bit of an unconventional race calendar for me this year, with the big injury in the middle of the season. I started out with the early-season grasshoppers and then Mid South. After the injury in April, I wasn't back to racing until Leadville in August. Leadville / SBT/ Gravel Nats are usually my A races, but this year, I was still trying to find my fitness and get back into the swing of racing.
I know you had a pretty gnarly injury earlier this year. Please share with us all the details and an update as to whether there are any lingering effects.
In early April, I fell while preparing for Sea Otter and broke my elbow and wrist. Both breaks were severe enough to require surgery and a long recovery period. I'm not 100% yet, but I can race and train somewhat normally and feel better every month. Aside from my racing, I've been putting in a lot of time in the gym and PT to make sure my arm strength is as good as it can be and to protect against any future issues.
In September, we were just in Gering, Nebraska, where we saw your fellow gravel grinder win his national title. Once again, I watched you sitting in the front group well into the race and looking pretty darn fresh. And this is not unusual; countless times, I've found myself screaming your name deep into a race. You are due for a top-ten breakout race at one of these big races. What does it feel like to be so close over and over?
It can be frustrating, for sure, but at the same time, it keeps me motivated. I know I can be up there; I need more opportunities for it all to come together on the right day. I am definitely not the first person to say this, but it's crazy how much higher the level of competition gets each year. It's very common to come into a new season with the best fitness of your life and expect big things, only to realize everyone else did, too.
Cycling is such a time and energy-consuming sport, and trying to be an elite racer while holding down a full-time job appears to be quite a feat. Can you share any tips with us on how to strike that balance while being as fast as you are?
It's challenging. It feels like I have two jobs a lot of the time. I've tried quite a few different strategies over the last few years. I've learned that it's important to focus on what you can control. I will be limited for many weeks by the number of hours I have to train, so instead, I focus on the training quality, sleep, and nutrition. If I get those right, most of the time, I'm not giving up too much to my competitors who have more hours in their day. At the same time, it leaves me wondering how much better I would be if I could put in more of those 20+ hour weeks.
The motivation must be extremely high going into the end of the season, considering what appears to be great shape for you. Are you targeting anything in particular?
My last big goal for the year is Big Sugar Gravel in Bentonville. I'm hoping for a good ride there. I have the advantage of still building after my forced rest period mid-season, while many of my competitors are likely running on fumes after 9+ months of racing.
You seem to be friends with many of the "cool kids" and have the opportunity to train with many of them. What do you think separates the top ten from everyone else?
It's interesting looking at the top racers in the U.S. off-road scene. Plenty of people are capable of being in the top 10 on the right course and the right day, but far fewer that you see up there every single time. Sofia and Keegan are two that I've spent a lot of time with, and they stand out to me. They are both incredibly talented, but their consistency and work ethic make the difference. I'm always amazed at the time and effort they put into every detail of their race prep. They truly leave no stone unturned. People wonder how they rarely have mechanicals or bad days, and I can tell you it's not luck. They have set the bar for what it takes to win in the U.S., and it's also forced everyone around them to raise their game.
Can you share a little bit about your current gravel setup? Do you see this trend of wider tires continuing, or will it be short-lived?
I'm running a Mosaic GT-1 i45 this season with a mullet setup (48t chainring and 10/52 cassette). I'm almost exclusively running mtb tires for training and racing. There's been quite a bit of real-world testing by now, and nearly everyone has come to the same conclusion: mtb tires roll faster on almost any surface. On top of that, there's no disputing that they are more comfortable, more puncture resistant, and faster on the descents. If you look at the LTGP field, most of those who can fit MTB tires in their frames are also running them. I am confident this will be the new normal and push the bike industry to develop gravel frames with more tire clearance over the next few years. This trend will not be short-lived, and I predict even suspension forks will become mainstream in a few years, especially for pros racing gravel in North America.
We know you are already plotting 2025, can you share any of your secret plans with us at this time?
Nothing is set in stone yet, but I plan to do more racing and less work. Stay tuned.
If you could only do three races next year, what would they be and why?
That's a tough one. So many cool races are popping up these days that it's hard to even narrow it down to 20. I will name three races I still need to tick off on the bucket list: Valley of the Tears, Oregon Trail, and UCI Gravel World Championships. Valley of the Tears excites me because they created a race with incredibly cheap entry fees, late morning start times, and large cash prizes. Other event promoters should take note. Oregon Trail is a race I've always wanted to do: A top-notch 5-day stage race through the PNW; what is not to like? Gravel Worlds is an experience I want to have, as I have always wanted to be a part of a world championship. I spent a good amount of time on the national team as a junior and competed in World Cups, but the World Championships are a different beast and high on my bucket list.
If you had one cycling destination to recommend and one still on your bucket list, we'd love to hear about it.
I've got to say Park City, UT. I can't think of a place that has more to offer to cyclists in the summer months. Hundreds of miles of high country singletrack, epic road passes over 10k feet, and tons of gravel roads heading out into surrounding areas. Sarah and I spend time there every summer. As for the bucket list, I haven't spent nearly enough time riding my bike in Europe. There are too many amazing places to pick one, but I plan to do more training and racing there in the next few years.
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