The Cycling Independent

Page One

The Limits of Good Faith

Padraig Sep 2, 2026
Page One

A Useful Review: Shimano Deore XT Di2

Padraig Sep 1, 2026
Talk

Revolting 244

Emlyn Lewis Aug 30, 2026
Page One

Paceline Podcast 480

Padraig Aug 26, 2026

Featured Posts

Llamas, Donkeys and Sage

Maureen Gaffney Jun 16, 2025

The Wuanita loop in Saguache (“Saw–watch”) County, Colorado was my third bikepack, but my first without the handholding provided by a 2021 “Bikepacking 101 Course” offered by Rim Tours in Moab, or a…

Page One

Part of Me

Pat Navin Oct 25, 2023

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

Paceline Podcast 480

Padraig Aug 26, 2026

This week is the second half of Lori and Patrick's two-parter on ebikes. This week they look at "out-of-class" ebikes and some of the problems they pose as well as California's response to them, in…

The Limits of Good Faith

Padraig Sep 2, 2026

"They just want you to buy the new stuff." We've seen the comments in social media, heard those words on rides and back when they were still a thing, read them in letters to the editor in magazines.…

Page One

A Useful Review: Shimano Deore XT Di2

Padraig Sep 1, 2026

The first time I rode Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2, I had a funny reaction. As terrific as I thought it was, it struck me as not offering nearly the improvement it was destined to present when recruited…

Page One

Poison or Cure?

Padraig Aug 10, 2026

Here's a little secret I never tell non-cyclists: At times, the bike can be both the poison and the cure. I want to explore this, in part, because I and several people I know are suffering with a…

Op-Ed

Hot Take: Bikes Are Too Good Now

Emlyn Lewis Jun 10, 2026

I just wanted to crack the passenger side window, like one-and-a-half cranks of the old lever that did the job when you could actually "roll down the window." But we don't roll the window down…

Op-Ed

Ebullition/Doubt 38: Tense and Nervous and I Can’t Relax

Raymond Epstein May 11, 2026

We always parked on the “landside” of Atlantic Avenue, generally at my mom’s friend’s house. This was back when it was still possible to rent a place on the north end of Virginia Beach long before…

A Useful Review: Dirt Baggies

Padraig Aug 17, 2026

It seems unlikely that I sweat more than the average cyclist, but I have avoided baggy shorts for the simple reason that I've had issues with my skin becoming irritated because the baggies didn't…

Classified

A Useful Review: Hunt Enduro V3 Wheels

Raymond Epstein May 26, 2026

Let’s begin with an agreed-upon maxim. Wheels can have the most immediately noticeable effect on your bike’s performance. Wheels are often the first big upgrade that riders make for their bike as it…

Classified

Robot’s Useless Reviews – 15spd Telepathic

Emlyn Lewis May 5, 2026

Some of you may be aware that I don't love to write reviews. It's because I'm just not that interested in the technical details of most products, but also because I believe, sincerely, that most of…

Revolting 244

Emlyn Lewis Aug 30, 2026

Meet Me at the Goat Parade. All over the world people sensed a disturbance in the force, two powerful forces colliding, as though gravity shuddered and let out a fart. What happened was Robot and I…

Talk

Revolting 243

Robot and Stevil Aug 23, 2026

The Monster Truck Jam of the Planet of the Apes. The human condition is a cage we’ve spent nearly 300,000 years trying to escape from. Can we kill a wooly mammoth? Actually, we can kill ‘em all. Can…

Talk

Revolting Takes a Week Off

Robot and Stevil Aug 17, 2026

Friends, we're sorry to let you down. We know you like to kick off your week with an hour of circular conversation that shouts out people you don't know and music you don't want to listen to, but…

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.