Jacqueline Godbe is the first American to step upon the UCI Cycling Esports World Championship podium, an MD and a PhD. Here's her list of cycling resolutions for 2024!
Well, folks, it’s that time of year again. That is the END of the year. While I do my best to improve my life as the evidence rolls out (or as the discounts on great cycling gear come out), the New Year is a convenient time to take stock of what I did right this year and what I could’ve done better.
So, as a physician and bronze medalist in the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, here’s my list.
Group A: Prioritize my health!
1: Get my recommended vaccines.
Full disclosure: I am sitting at home with COVID while writing this article! I’ve been lucky enough that this is my first go-around with the seemingly ubiquitous virus and also fortunate to be fully boosted, which means that my main symptom is sinus congestion.
As annoying as getting sick is, I acknowledge that this is a far cry from the initial rounds of the virus, and my vaccinations have protected me from the worst of it! No fever, no loss of taste, and NO shortness of breath.
You can bet I will also stay on top of my flu shots next year. I have ZERO desire to return to the horrible cases of flu of my teenage years. No cyclist has time for that!
2: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. SLEEP.
I say this one every year. I know my sprint power numbers go up, and my late-night snacking goes down when I sleep enough. My attention span and recall also improved, so I now look like a rockstar on service.
It’s not caffeine. It’s just putting my book down and getting to bed 30 minutes early. Holiday parties, travel, and grant deadlines always throw a wrench in this one.
Oh well! Now is as good a time as any to reset! Plus, there’s no 5 am sunlight sneaking through my window this time of year. And who can resist the siren song of warm blankets in a cold house?
3: Maintain a healthy weight for both long-term health and athletic performance. Don’t get an eating disorder for the sake of aesthetics!
While the UCI did not publish weigh-ins for the World Championships this year, I can tell you that I posted an even heavier weight than I had for the past two years and still came away with my personal best finish (3rd!). In the face of societal pressures to lose weight and the temptation to always maximize watts/kg, my promise is never to sacrifice fueling or nutrition. Big sprints need big muscles and ample nutrition.
That being said, I still have a low body fat percentage (even with a “normal BMI”), which puts me at an elevated risk for conditions like low bone mass and increased cardiovascular risk. Working with my doctors, I’ve ensured that my bone density is measured (DEXA) and that my metabolic risk factors (like cholesterol) are well managed.
I’ve also promised my husband John that we’ll cycle the Italian Alps for our 20th wedding anniversary, so I’ve got to keep the heart, legs, and bones good for a while.
4: Lift heavy things and put them back down.
Pursuant to #3 above, my bone density is EXCELLENT. I blame my habit of lifting heavy things and putting them back down. Well, I say blame.
However, research shows that weight-bearing and high-impact exercise significantly reduce fracture risk. Cycling doesn’t count. So, I’ll keep up with my squats.
Also Read: I Don’t Skip Leg Day—Putting the WATTS in Watts/kg by Jacqueline Godbe
Group B: Spend More Time on My Hobbies
1: Read more fiction.
This year, I got myself noise-canceling headphones, which meant I could listen to audiobooks on my bike for the first time ever. It has been a game-changer.
Reading books has always been an integral part of my self-care and helped with my anxiety before races or significant life events.
More reading = less anxiety. It’s a win all around.
2: Try new racing mechanics/physics.
With the rise of racing platforms like indieVelo and MyWhoosh, I can’t afford to get complacent with racing and rely on ONLY Zwift physics. We all know that the race doesn’t always go to the strongest racer, but often the smartest.
How do the Zwift controls work with racing? How are the MyWhoosh drafting mechanics different? The only way to get better is to experiment! It’s a good thing I’m a scientist at heart.
3: Spend more time outside…by trying GRAVEL!!!
I’m getting a gravel bike this year!!! I’m so excited! Katy Trail, here I come!
Group C: Work on my personal relationships
1: Make new friends in the Echelon Racing League.
It’s not too late to join! The USA Cycling National Championships are coming up on January 6th/7th, and races will continue through February. The platform change from RGT to Zwift has increased accessibility and attendance, particularly among female cyclists, which means new friends!
2: Spend time with my husband.
One of the great things I’ve enjoyed about virtual cycling is the ability to do it on my own time in my own home gym. Even though my husband and I juggle long hours as radiology residents, we can always count on getting a workout together and supporting each other in virtual cycling races.
As mentioned, I’ve promised to stay in shape for a 20th-anniversary Italian Alps cycling trip.
Also Read: A Pain Cave Built for Two by Jacqueline Godbe
3: Go biking with friends.
My maid of honor just moved to the Pacific Northwest and joined a bike club. I hereby resolve to visit her and have fun biking through the Olympic National Forest. Who says resolutions have to be painful??? Well, except for the beer sprint at the end of the ride. That will probably make the quads burn.
What resolutions/changes are you all planning for this year?
Drop them in the comments for support/ideas/community. I wish you all the best of luck with 2024!
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
Jacqueline Godbe is a virtual cycling specialist who competes for The Saris NoPinz Team. Jacquie is the first American to stand on the UCI Cycling Esports podium after finishing 3rd in 2023. She also holds her Ph.D. in chemistry and graduated with her MD in May 2021. She is newly married to John Cooper, who ALSO bikes and has a PhD.
