NATHAN GERDTS: All In, All Heart, All SISU 🇺🇸
From Oklahoma City, Nathan Gerdts brings a unique energy to SISU Racing — part hybrid athlete, part punchy sprinter, and full-time competitor against his own limits.
Nathan didn’t grow up dreaming of watts per kilo. In fact, cardio “wasn’t really his thing.” But like many great SISU stories, his journey began with a challenge.
From Shoulder Surgery to Start Line
In 2023, after recovering from shoulder surgery, Nathan decided — almost on a whim — to try a triathlon. Cycling quickly became his favourite discipline, and before long he pivoted fully toward the bike.
Then life added another layer: he became a first-time dad.
Zwift wasn’t just convenient — it was essential. Training had to fit around family rhythms, early mornings, and unpredictable schedules. A couple months into riding on Zwift, he discovered racing — and then discovered SISU Racing.
At first, he was getting smoked in races. But the beginner gains were addictive. Progress was tangible. Racing was more engaging than steady state training. Team racing sealed the deal.
The Hybrid Athlete
Nathan describes himself less as a pure cyclist and more as a hybrid athlete — someone who loves fitness broadly but found cycling to be the most enjoyable form of cardio.
On Zwift, he’s a punchy sprinter. Short, sharp efforts suit him best. He thrives in fast finishes and full-throttle races. Pacing? Still learning. But pushing to his true breaking point? That’s where he feels alive.
“I’m about going all in,” he says — and that shows in how he races.
The Pain Cave That Gets It Done
Nathan’s setup is practical and honest — a small garage gym with a bike trainer, power rack, and free weights. His Chapter 2 AO sits on a Wahoo KICKR v5, powered by an iPad. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
In winter, the trainer migrates into the kids’ playroom — which doesn’t quite deliver the same “pain cave” atmosphere when pushing into the red. But that’s real life. And Nathan embraces it.
Most races are fueled by team voice chat. Solo efforts get fast upbeat music. Zone 2 often comes with YouTube in the background. Coffee? Consumed mostly at work, not ritualised around rides.
He’s both an early bird and night owl — racing in the evenings, but often training at 5:30am before the sun rises and before the family wakes up.
That discipline speaks volumes.
Motivation Bigger Than the Bike
When motivation dips, Nathan leans on identity and purpose.
His family is his biggest driver. He wants to provide for them. Be healthy for them. Model determination for his sons. Show them what consistency and hard work look like in practice.
Cycling is also an outlet — a place to focus, clear his mind, and temporarily set aside life’s stressors.
His advice for those facing long-term setbacks is powerful:
Redefine winning.
When PRs aren’t possible, consistency becomes the win. Good sleep becomes the win. Showing up becomes the win. If you measure yourself only by past standards, you’ll always feel behind — even when you’re progressing.
Milestones That Matter
Nathan’s proudest achievements aren’t podium heavy — they’re personal breakthroughs.
Completing his first 100-mile ride (something he once would have laughed at)
Holding 300 watts for 20 minutes in a race — double his first FTP test just a few years ago
And now? His first IRL bike races are on the horizon.
The lesson cycling has taught him carries far beyond racing:
Not every day feels good. But showing up still counts. Consistency wins in the end.
Planning, Discipline, and Brick by Brick Progress
Nathan swears by planning. Whether it’s a day, a week, or a longer training block, defining goals ahead of time builds accountability and clarity.
Life throws curveballs. But having a roadmap increases the odds of execution.
One early mistake he’d help others avoid?
Don’t obsess over what you don’t have. Equipment. Time. Perfect circumstances. Work within your reality. Build one brick at a time. Ignore what’s outside your control.
Club Ladder: Where Strategy Meets Suffering
Nathan leads and coordinates SISU Racing’s involvement in the Club Ladder series — one of the most strategic and engaging team competitions on Zwift.
The concept is simple and brilliant:
Teams challenge those above them on the ladder
Win, and you take their spot
5v5 format
Every finishing position counts
It’s short, sharp, repeatable pain. Year-round engagement. Strategy. Depth. Community.
And Nathan thrives in that environment.
Club Champs and Full Throttle Racing
Nathan will be on the start line for the SISU Club Championships in March. He’s particularly excited about New York as the host world — iconic, varied, and never boring.
The Crit race is his highlight. Fast. Aggressive. Technical. Suited perfectly to his punchy, go-all-in style.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Nathan’s 2026 goals are about settling into a rhythm and embracing new challenges. He plans to compete in local fitness competitions and begin IRL bike racing.
With CrossFit re-igniting his love of strength training, he expects some weight gain — which might not be ideal for climbing — but that’s part of the hybrid athlete identity.
He’s not trying to be a textbook cyclist.
He’s trying to be the strongest, most capable version of himself.
SISU, In His Words
Nathan’s favourite jerseys? A toss-up between the classic white and the bold Punainen SS — both vibrant, both unmistakably SISU.
And when asked to finish the sentence:
“SISU Racing is…”
“…a community that strives to bring out the best in everyone. Through encouragement, belief, determination, and shared suffering alongside one another on the bike, we all aim for progress both individually and as a collective team.”
From early morning garage sessions to full gas ladder races, Nathan embodies what SISU is about: discipline when motivation fades, courage to push limits, and the humility to grow.
All in. Every time.