Category Archives: cycling

Mortal fears and changing gears

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

One of the problems never solved on my former road bike, the Felt 4C, was a difficulty in getting the chain to move from the small ring to the big ring. The derailleur was Dura-Ace and the setup was quality … Continue reading →

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Riding into the sunset

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

Summer does not feel complete unless a cyclist ends at least one ride with the sun setting with  light fading and the mystery of dusk settling all around. Which is why last night’s right with Sue was special. She traveled … Continue reading →

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Embracing our animal characteristics

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

  While sitting in the doctor’s office waiting for a physician’s assistant to look at the weird bruise I picked up on the back of my arm, I glanced through a children’s nature magazine sitting on the counter. And there … Continue reading →

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Through clouds and winds and mountains

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

We’re called Flatlanders here in Illinois for a reason. The terrain does not feature many hills, much less mountains. 150 miles to the north, west of Madison, there are plenty of hills. We travel there to ride the Ironman course … Continue reading →

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Hugging a wheel

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

  Athletes By Design is a cycling club to which I belonged a few years back while doing a bit of criterium racing. The group is housed out of a pair of Prairie Path Cycling shops run by Mike Ferrell, … Continue reading →

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Neither sweat or forget the small stuff

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

Getting your training in during a tight schedule can be difficult. Feelings of guilt can build up if you miss a workout, or cut one short because you are pressed for time. Some athletes work out unique solutions for time … Continue reading →

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Understanding 1 Corinthians 9:24 and what it means to “run the race and win the prize”

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

There have been many blessings in my life. Yet I’ve also had a share of being down on my knees praying to God for answers. And I can tell you in earnest: all those prayers have been answered in one … Continue reading →

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The sweet smell of progress

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

When I was researching a new bike this past winter, the weather was typically raw. In the middle of that cold season, it’s a bit hard to imagine what a new bike will feel like. At the time we had … Continue reading →

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“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Not.

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

One of the compelling images most people miss in the coverage of the Tour de France is how the bike mechanics basically take apart and re-assemble the steeds used by riders in the Tour. Where most of us expect our … Continue reading →

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Racing the bike in a criterium

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

The first year I bought a real racing bike ten years ago, I raced in a series of criteriums from June through September. The lessons learned were many. How to ride in a hurtling pack. How to turn without braking. … Continue reading →

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