Category Archives: cycling

Running and riding to the rescue

There aren’t many situations in life where the ability to run fast is all that handy. Most of the 50,000 miles I’ve run or the equal number of miles I’ve ridden have not served any purpose other than my own … Continue reading

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Questions about being an elitist asshole

Back when I competed for every inch of advantage in the world of running, I was a bit merciless in my regard for other competitors. In the first mile of a five-mile race I would ultimately win while setting a … Continue reading

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Those moments when you realize you’re alive

This morning while walking the dog before dawn, I had one of those moments where the mind suddenly snaps to attention in a way that makes you realize you’re still alive. So much of life is getting through the moments … Continue reading

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The glory days are not always what you think they are

I got my gripe session about the travails of 2019 out of the way yesterday. Now it’s time to look ahead to 2020. Let’s spare each other the obvious cliches about “vision” and “seeing clearly.” I’m sure we’ll find plenty … Continue reading

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I sentence 2019 to the past

With the year 2020 now approaching fast, I sentence 2019 to the forever past. The year 2019 started off well enough with a triathlon training trip to the mountains of Tucson. But my neck kept tightening up during the rides … Continue reading

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From one bag of bones to another

Before hopping on the train to Chicago this morning, I slipped into the restroom at the Perk Up! cafe in the Geneva train station. The walls in that room were decorated with skeleton wallpaper. The first image that stood out … Continue reading

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A crash course in human conscience

We traveled to Madison, Wisconsin this past Saturday to do some riding in the hills on the Ironman Wisconsin course. I rode 65 miles with 4,000 feet of climbing and my wife was on track to do 100 miles when … Continue reading

Posted in bike crash, bike wobble, Christopher Cudworth, cycling, cycling the midwest, tri-bikes, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What sharing the roads means to American civility

I composed this meme this morning because I spent a couple hours studying the roads while on a 30 miles ride. I was noticing how many types of road shoulders cyclists need to navigate while riding. It also occurred to … Continue reading

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My annual ride in the Tour de Chicory

America’s roadsides in July and August typically bear a ribbon of bright blue flowers known as chicory. They are tough plants that grow in disturbed soil, often popping up through gravel and grit to unleash their starlike blue blossoms in … Continue reading

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Learning to live with pain

Outside of the gates the trucks were unloadin’The weather was hot, a-nearly ninety degreesThe man standin’ next to me, his head was explodingWell, I was prayin’ the pieces wouldn’t fall on me ––Bob Dylan, Day of the Locusts The after … Continue reading

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