Episode 24: Training and Racing as an Elite Masters Athlete with Guest Laura Van Gilder

In this episode, host Rick Prince chats with former professional, and current elite masters cyclist, Laura Van Gilder. Laura is a former elite criterium champion, the winningest female US cyclist in history and the current UCI gravel world champion (60-64)... in addition to other national and world titles.  In this podcast, Laura discusses many things, including her beginnings in the sport, her rise to becoming a professional cyclist, and how she manages to keep things fun and still race to this day! Laura is a legend in the sport of cycling and whether you’re a fan of cycling or not, this is an intriguing conversation. 

1.       Could you tell us more about your sport background and some of your many accomplishments

2.       How many years have you been competing?

3.       You’re known as a sprinter, but you live in a pretty hilly area. Have you found that training in a hilly area has given you an advantage over other sprinters on rolling/hilly terrain?

4.       As you’ve progressed through your cycling career, how has your training changed/evolved?

5.       With respect to various aspects of fitness (i.e., endurance, strength, explosiveness, etc…), how have these changed, if at all?

6.       What keeps you training and racing?

7.       How has your nutrition changed over the years of your career, if at all?

8.       What advice would you give to other master’s athletes?

9.       Given the popularity of gravel racing/riding, do you find yourself doing more gravel riding than road riding these days?

10.  Given all your experience, if there is one thing that you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you were in the infancy of your cycling career, what would it be?

What cycling goals do you have for the upcoming year?