Latest Posts

Page One

random relationship talk?

Conner Burns
Racing. Training. I was in the middle of it all. I started dating someone. At some point my mileage decreased. I did not tell her. I made the choice to ride less to spend time with her. My choice.  …
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10 Ways to Ruin a Ride

Emlyn Lewis
Once learned, riding a bike is so easy that it's part of a common idiomatic expression about something that's easy to do. Another thing that I've found it's easy to do is ruin a ride with a simple,…
Talk

Revolting 171

Robot and Stevil
That One Friend. You Know the One. Look, we’ve all got that one friend who is basically lovable, but their behavior leaves a lot to be desired. At some point, you’ve got to sit them down and have an…
Op-Ed

The Game

Padraig
The first time I lined up for a bike race, my sole mission was to see if I was strong enough to stay with the pack. I did, but what I though the race had been, which is to say the whole of the race…
Page One

What Is a Bike Worth?

Emlyn Lewis
Anyone who remembers the ‘80s will have the sense that bikes cost a hell of a lot more than they used to, though someone smart once said that comparison is the theft of joy. Since the ‘80s, the way…
Classified

A Useful Review: Clik Valve

Padraig
Valves for bike tires come in exactly two flavors: Presta and Schrader. It's binary, either/or, and both types have strengths and weaknesses. That is, until now. Clik Valve is the first new valve in…
Page One

 these knees

Conner Burns
What about your knees? Winter is still here in many places but in my world, spring is starting. It is cold, but today it is not bad. No need for tights, but it is not summer either. It is 62…
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No Wrong

Emlyn Lewis
Over the years that I've been riding and writing about bikes a simple truism has emerged, if I'm not riding, then I'm not writing. Almost all of my ideas (at least about bikes) occur to me while I'm…

Featured Posts

Uncategorized

For Los Angeles

Padraig
The wildfires in Southern California will go down as the most expensive natural disaster in the state's history. Combined, the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Auto fires, have burned more than 40,000…
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Fat Pursuit 2025

Patria Vandermark
Fat Pursuit is far more than an ultra-endurance winter fat bike race in Idaho, in its 12th year. It’s a platform constructed by Jay Petervary to challenge everyone who arrives at the start line due…
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The Bike Business for 2025

Emlyn Lewis
It’s crystal ball time. The 2024 retail season is over, and lots of people in my world are wondering aloud what 2025 is going to be like on planet bike. A quick recap on 2024. It was bad. The…
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Part of Me

Pat Navin
In my dream, I am riding up a steep climb on a narrow road winding through redwoods, barely able to turn the pedals. But I am happy. Ecstatic, really. I am one with my bike, an extension of my body,…
Page One

To Love and To Be In Love

Emlyn Lewis
I met my wife on a college camping trip in 1992. At the time I was trying not to spend the week drunk beyond imagining. A friend convinced me to sign up for this trip through the community service…
Op-Ed

The Perfect Sport

Padraig
I've been a cyclist most of my life. My life has had little permanence, but cycling has been as close to permanent as anything short of my parents. Cycling didn't care whether I rode or not. My bike…
Op-Ed

The Corrections

Emlyn Lewis
A thing I wrote years ago for Red Kite Prayer. On this Monday, when the words are all stuck in between my ears, refusing to find my fingertips, a good reminder that sometimes it helps not to try so…
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Crash Therapy

Maureen Gaffney
The conversation in my head while riding Bull Run last weekend in Moab was dawdling along something like this:  “I’m riding really well. I’m gonna try to keep it mellow, keep from redlining cause…
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Letter from the Editors

The Independents
The year draws to a close, whether you're done with it or not, and 2022 was a banger here at TCI. Readership grew throughout the year. More people listened to our podcasts. Subscribers subscribed,…
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Lost and Unlost

Julie Snyder
Crater Lake. The Pacific Coast. Ghost towns in the high desert. That's cool, but how can you do so much riding alone? This question is usually followed by a comment like "you're so courageous." I…
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The Shirt Off Our Backs

Emlyn Lewis
A call to commerce! An unsubtle, attention-grabbing shout out! A gentle plea. Please witness the arrival of the brand-new, classic Cycling Independent Black t-shirt. Excuse the smirking…
Page One

Letter from the Editors

Emlyn Lewis
Hello Friends, Just us, checking in from the end of summer (unless you're one of our Southern Hemisphere readers...we're not trying to be hemispherist). It's been a busy time for us, Padraig…
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Just To Be Alive

Fez Aswat
I know just enough about bikes to know that I don’t know s#*$ about bikes. And I don’t want the mountain of what I don’t know to ruin the truth of what I do know … which is I f*@%ing love riding my…
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The Crash Samaritan

Julie Snyder
You open your eyes. Disoriented. Dirty. Details are sharp but nonsensical. Rising dust motes. The tick of a spinning freewheel. A dog with five white whiskers licking your arm. The smell of Christmas…
Page One

Non-Zero Sum Gains

Emlyn Lewis
I have been thinking an awful lot about cycling advocacy and inclusivity. Why? Because I dream of a self-powered world, one in which all citizens glide around on a bicycle of one flavor or another. I…
Op-Ed

A Year of Shelter

Padraig
Life changed for us 365 days ago. I doubt you or anyone you know would have been willing to guess that the life you're living today was even possible. It was certainly beyond my imagination, and I…
Op-Ed

What We Would Say

Padraig
I chose cycling because it's the only time I don't feel like a klutz.I chose cycling because I can't stick the ball. I chose cycling because I didn't play team sports.I chose cycling because I'm…
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We Need You On This Ride

The Independents
I'll be brief. Our primary goal at The Cycling Independent is to make our community as large as we possibly can. Part of that is selfish. We can't continue without your financial support. This is…
Op-Ed

Editor’s Letter

Mike Cushionbury
Right now you might be thinking, "How can this be an editor’s letter on a website? This isn't print!" You very well should be thinking that because we’re not just another website with a bunch of…
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New York to Provincetown

Richard Fries
A single day can feel like a month. Processing a massive ride afterwards is like staring at a Salvador Dali painting. Fifty miles dissolves into a blurry moment. Turns out it took a village…
Op-Ed

The Game

Padraig
The first time I lined up for a bike race, my sole mission was to see if I was strong enough to stay with the pack. I did, but what I though the race had been, which is to say the whole of the race…

Page One

Page One

random relationship talk?

Conner Burns
Racing. Training. I was in the middle of it all. I started dating someone. At some point my mileage decreased. I did not tell her. I made the choice to ride less to spend time with her. My choice.  …
Page One

10 Ways to Ruin a Ride

Emlyn Lewis
Once learned, riding a bike is so easy that it's part of a common idiomatic expression about something that's easy to do. Another thing that I've found it's easy to do is ruin a ride with a simple,…
Page One

What Is a Bike Worth?

Emlyn Lewis
Anyone who remembers the ‘80s will have the sense that bikes cost a hell of a lot more than they used to, though someone smart once said that comparison is the theft of joy. Since the ‘80s, the way…

Op-Ed

Op-Ed

The Game

Padraig
The first time I lined up for a bike race, my sole mission was to see if I was strong enough to stay with the pack. I did, but what I though the race had been, which is to say the whole of the race…
Op-Ed

TCI Friday – If the Shoe Fits

Emlyn Lewis
My first pair of cycling shoes were some budget Shimano road shoes. They were not good, but it was the '90s, and I didn't know any better. Once I started paying a little closer attention to my kit, I…

Classified

Classified

A Useful Review: Clik Valve

Padraig
Valves for bike tires come in exactly two flavors: Presta and Schrader. It's binary, either/or, and both types have strengths and weaknesses. That is, until now. Clik Valve is the first new valve in…

Talk

Talk

Revolting 171

Robot and Stevil
That One Friend. You Know the One. Look, we’ve all got that one friend who is basically lovable, but their behavior leaves a lot to be desired. At some point, you’ve got to sit them down and have an…
Talk

Revolting 170

Robot and Stevil
The Most Important Person in the World. Self-love, not that kind, but also not not that kind, is critical to living a contented, fulfilling life. But many of us struggle to like the person in the…
Talk

Paceline Podcast 407

Padraig
John takes a hard look at motivation and the currency it offers our ambitions. Patrick considers the spring and ramping up mileage for the coming season. Show links:Shimano Ultegra Di2

Cycling is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life, a passion that connects people through adventure, endurance, and the freedom of the open road. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just beginning your journey, the Cycling Independent is here to bring you insights, stories, and the latest updates from the cycling world. Stay inspired, explore new trails, and embrace the cycling lifestyle. For those looking for a different kind of thrill, check out nine casino.

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