Science of Speed Collective

APPLY HERE

WHAT IS SoS COLLECTIVE?

Founded in 2011, the Science of Speed community is united by athletes supporting one another and finding joy in endurance sports. More than going fast, SoS COLLECTIVE focuses on meaningful connections, encouraging each other on and off the bike, and fostering a positive, uplifting environment where all levels feel welcomed and motivated. With Science of Speed’s innovative coaching, top-level bike fit, research-grade laboratory, and world-class partners, it is an unmatched experience for athletes. Want a supportive community enthusiastic about gravel? Apply to join the SoS family. A great team requires great people! Is that you?

 

What are the perks of being part of SoS COLLECTIVE?
  • Custom COLLECTIVE-only cycling gear at a deep discount. 
  • A significant discount on SoS Coaching. This is a requirement to be a part of the SoS COLLECTIVE and is why there are only a few slots available.
  • We offer COLLECTIVE-only discounts with our sponsor partners. Although you are not required to race with affiliated sponsor gear or nutrition, we have the best partners in the industry, and you will want to use their products. 
What does Science of Speed expect from you as a COLLECTIVE member?
  • Introduce the sport of gravel to at least one new person. You can bring a friend or family member who has never watched a race to a gravel event. You can encourage someone to toe the line. The possibilities are endless when you love the sport and want to share it with others.  
  • Plan to race at least 2 of our 3 selected events throughout the 2024 season
  • Race exclusively in the SoS COLLECTIVE KIT (we do have exceptions for local events where you want to race in your local club kit).
  • We do require you to have an Instagram or Facebook account, follow Science of Speed on Instagram and Facebook and tag #SoSCOLLECTIVE & #SoSathlete in pertinent posts
  • Encourage and be respectful of other athletes
  • THANK the volunteers!
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY, SMILE AND HAVE FUN! You are NEVER too “pro” to wave!

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do I apply?

2025 SoS COLLECTIVE applications will be open from October 1st-18th 2024. Follow @science_of_speed on Instagram for the latest news. 

When will I know if I made the team?

We will email you to notify you by October 31st, 2024, whether you have been accepted or not.

Is the SoS COLLECTIVE only available in the U.S.A.?

The application on this site is for USA residents only.

What does it cost to join SoS COLLECTIVE?

There are no membership fees for joining the SoS COLLECTIVE but we do require the following two details to be met:

  1. As a team member, you must race in team gear, which is available for preorder in November. You must purchase either a Speed suit or Jersey & shorts/bibs. All items on the team store will be available at our cost. You can purchase as much or as little additional custom items from the team store at that time.
  2. Each member of the SoS COLLECTIVE must be coached by a Science of Speed coach. Don’t worry; we are taking VERY good care of your wallet and of you as an athlete.

We support brands that uphold the same high standards and quality that we expect from our own services and are based on scientifically sound research, where applicable. Our partners include bikes, gear, apparel, nutrition and more!

We ask that you choose to represent Science of Speed, only to represent Science of Speed.

Yes, we encourage you to be involved in your local community. We ask that when you race outside of your club events, you wear your SoS COLLECTIVE kit.

Our gear is ordered directly through Jakroo and is completed and shipped within 3 weeks of order close.

You must race in the 2025 COLLECTIVE kit if you are racing a gravel event. If you are doing any other race, we would love for you to represent; however, it is not mandatory. Not following this policy could lead to you not being invited back for the next season.

Whether you want more apparel to train in, hit the deck, or simply log so many miles that you wear out your team kit, let us know and we will provide you a new order link.

Prior to ordering, we recommend that all COLLECTIVE members utilize Jarkoo’s size guide. This will guarantee that your gear will fit, or they will replace it for you. If you choose not to utilize this, we can not promise you that you will not be required to order a new team kit.

Does Alcohol Have an Impact on Training and Recovery?

Many of us know that alcohol has adverse effects on the body, especially if you drink too much. It is less widely known by athletes how alcohol impacts their performance short term or long term. Understanding these impacts is the first step towards improving performance and avoiding those effects leading up to important events. This isn’t to say that an athlete can never drink, but one should be mindful when leading up to races and know the implications of drinking. It is important to note that these effects will vary from person to person depending on genetics and tolerance. 

Slows Muscle Growth:

Alcohol slows the rate of protein synthesis within the body. This is important for building and strengthening muscles within the body, and with slowed protein synthesis, you will see fewer results from the training you are putting in.

Dehydrates the Body:

Alcohol is a very powerful diuretic that increases water loss through the body via sweat, urine, and breathing. For every gram of ethanol consumed, it has been found that there is an increase in urine output by upwards of 10mL. This increase in dehydration can lead athletes to have more frequent cramps and see a possible increase in muscle strains or pulls. 

Prevents Muscle Recovery:

Due to alcohol’s negative impact on sleep, researchers have seen a decrease in Human Growth Hormone (HGH). HGH is responsible for repairing and growing muscles, especially during rest. 

Decreases Energy Levels:

Alcohol also plays a role in disrupting our body’s water balance. Alcohol is absorbed by the intestines and then the cells, displacing water, which is essential for ATP production. ATP is essential for cells to produce energy for the body, and a decrease in production can lead to a decrease in overall energy.

READ MORE

Looking to learn a bit more about the impacts of alcohol? Here are some of the resources we used for this article:

Alcohol, Athletic Performance and Recovery – PMC (nih.gov)

The Relationship Between Alcohol and Fitness – Alcohol Rehab Guide

How Does Alcohol Affect Your Athletic Performance? – Unlocking Insights – Explore Our Articles (insidetracker.com)

Alcohol and Athletic Performance | Health Promotion and Prevention Services | Binghamton University

Your Medications May Have a Greater Impact on You as an Athletes

Some medications can have a negative impact on athletic performance and put you at greater risk for injury.

Professional athletes have to be diligent about the medications and supplements that they put in their bodies. Ingesting the wrong pill could ultimately result in disqualification or even suspension from their sport, which is why the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) prohibited list alongside programs like Certified for Sport are an athlete and coach’s best friend when it comes to selecting products. 

 
But have you ever considered some of the medications you are using and how they could negatively impact you? This has been brought to our attention once again as we have had multiple athletes recently be treated with an antibiotic, Ciproflaxin, a medication used for joint infections, lower respiratory tract infections and numerous other reasons. Unfortunately for some of these athletes they were not informed of the side effects which Pharmacist, Thomas Howell states could include: “diarrhea, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeats, muscle pain or stiffness, and joint pain. These are minor side effects that can cause an athlete to question their training or other wrongly suspected culprits. The major side effect of Ciprofloxacin, most dangerously associated with athletes, is its possibility for tendon rupture.” 
 
This does not mean that you are guaranteed to have a tendon rupture but as Howell states, “It is worth noting that the weakening or tightening of tendons(a result of the medication) in athletes places them at a greater risk of injury. Thus, these types of medications should be used with caution.” 
 
We bring this to your attention, not to scare you, but to remind you that you are your own best advocate and, just as you select your nutrition and hydration products for training and racing you must also make informed decisions for your long term health and lifestyle with medications as you lifestyle is abnormal to what most doctors are accustomed to working with.