Jacob Velasco

Master These Three Cycling Tips

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025 Jacob Velasco

Life is complicated enough as it is, and trying to add competitive cycling into the mix can be difficult. I’ve grown up with cycling in my life, and it’s an ongoing battle to maintain a balance between cycling and the rest of life.

What I've Learned

Reflecting on My Last Year of Training & Racing Like a Full-Time Pro

August 25, 2025August 26, 2025 Jacob Velasco

Towards the end of April, I was finishing up a big racing block, ending with a great result at BWR. I was starting to fire up my training for one of the biggest gravel races in the world: Unbound. I had been thinking about the race since I was selected for the lottery last year.

Training

Optimal Race Day: Pre-Ride and Arrival Tips

July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 Jacob Velasco

When preparing for a race, in a perfect world, it would be ideal to arrive at the venue a few days before the race. Taking those few days to pre-ride the course and spend the nights in a high-quality place. However, for most of us, that’s not the case; we don’t have sponsors covering our stays at these events.

Journal Club/Training

Using Heat To Ride Better at Elevation

June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 Jacob Velasco

As summer gets started, it’s that time of year when key events are held at elevation, such as Leadville, Steamboat Gravel, and the Death Ride. Since decreased oxygen at high altitudes reduces physical capacity (1), it’s especially important for cyclists to choose how best to respond to the challenge of riding at elevation.

What I've Learned

My Experience Racing 3 Weeks Back To Back

May 27, 2025June 17, 2025 Jacob Velasco

April was a very busy month for me I had a race every weekend, and all three were A events. Early-season training leading into April was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Early winter, I did some of the highest volume I’ve ever done, then later on, I spent a few weeks battling a sickness and injury.

Country farm gravel road in between corn fields

Training

How to Pick a Tire for your next gravel race

April 16, 2025April 17, 2025 Jacob Velasco

Gravel racing is one of the more unique disciplines of cycling. Its a discipline that heavily relies on bike set up. Tire choice is course dependent and each course is vastly different. Courses can include smooth gravel, rough gravel, single track and road; all with varying percentages of each.

What I've Learned

Getting injured- Dealing with my worst nightmare

March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 Jacob Velasco

This is my last year I have to solely focus on chasing professional cycling. I spent last year building up my fitness, experience and lining up sponsors for this year to give myself my best shot at finding career success. Then in February I was hit with my biggest fear being an athlete, an injury.

Sports Nutrition

Optimizing Recovery with Carbohydrate Timing

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025 Jacob Velasco

Being able to train multiple days in a row heavily relies on your ability to recover. Everyone knows the basics of recovery: eat, sleep, and rest.

Sports Nutrition

Is Instagram Reliable for Sports Nutrition Advice?

January 27, 2025January 27, 2025 Jacob Velasco

Sports nutrition information is more readily accessible than ever. Social media has become one of the primary ways for people seek nutritional information (2).

Sports Nutrition/Training

Sustaining Energy for a 40 Hour Week of Cycling: What I Eat

December 30, 2024December 30, 2024 Jacob Velasco

A few weeks ago, I completed my highest training volume on the bike in one week, 40 hours. Extremely high volume is a true test of all of your training skills, but keeping up with the caloric demands is one of the most important skills.

In total, I burned 30,782 kjs (on the bike) in those 40 hours. I did a few 8 hour rides and on those days I burned 6,000 kjs in one ride.

Author: Jacob Velasco