Hayden Christian on Unbound, Signing with Trek & Living in a Van to Chase Racing
From The Stable Cyclist by John Peter
May 18, 2026 · 45 min · Season 1 · Episode 110
About this episode
Hayden Christian discusses his journey in gravel racing, the challenges of a pro cycling career, and life on the road.
Hayden Christian burst onto the gravel scene after his breakout ride at Unbound 100, but the full story goes much deeper than one race result. In this conversation, Hayden opens up about growing up in motocross, finding mountain biking and gravel racing, and what it’s really like chasing a pro cycling career while living in a van and training full-time. We talk about the pressure of trying to make it in the sport, the moment he nearly walked away from racing, and the Trek contract that changed everything. We also dive into Unbound, the Lifetime Grand Prix, BWR, training, racing mentality, and the realities of life on the road as a young privateer athlete. If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com The companies supporting JP and this channel: Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/ Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/ Use code StableCyclist100 Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/ SILCA - https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod or use the code is "StableSilca15" Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15…
People in this episode
Host: John Peter
Guest: Hayden Christian
Topics covered
- gravel racing
- professional cycling
- mental health
- training
- life on the road
- motocross
- contract signing
Keywords
- Hayden Christian
- gravel racing
- Trek contract
- Unbound 100
- professional cycling
- van life
- training
- mental health
Sponsors
Maplelag Resort, Ignition Coach Co., Gulo Composites, SILCA, Flow Formulas, Wahoo Fitness, Owl City Cycles, The Black Bibs, Dawn to Dusk
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Trek, Go4Graham
More episodes of The Stable Cyclist
- Owen Vermeulen’s Story of Addiction & Recovery: Cycling Saved My Life · June 12, 2026 · 1h 34m
- Unbound XL Champion | Svenja Betz · June 5, 2026 · 1h 13m
- Deanna Mayles | Finding Joy in Cycling Again · May 25, 2026 · 1h 8m
- Traci Carson PHD | Why Cyclists Need Strength Training · May 8, 2026 · 1h 9m
- Avery Stumm on Filming Alexey Vermeulen, YouTube & Creative Burnout · May 1, 2026 · 1h 12m
- Cynthia Carson | Crashes, Comebacks & the Story Behind Her Film · April 10, 2026 · 53 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Stable Cyclist podcast page.