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Christopher Stricklen

@creedub

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Freelance Photographer
@la_sweat_racing Team Photographer
@velocioapparel
@hunt.road

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“I think a photograph communicates a certain idea, a certain expression, and usually it’s just part of a bigger thought.”

For photographer @creedub, the moments he captures in cycling are bigger than the ride itself. While bikes may be present in his images, Christopher’s true focus surrounds the emotion and experience of riding — moments in time, frozen in photograph.

However, Christopher’s journey as a photographer didn’t start on the bike. With a background in landscape, architecture, and street photography, he began to notice parallels in the subjects he was most comfortable photographing and elements inherent in cycling. This realization allowed him to seamlessly blend his passion for photography with his love for the bike.

Hear more of Christopher’s story in the fourth episode of Why I ROAM – a short film series centered around five Wahooligans and what motivates them to get out and explore.

#WhyIROAM #Wahooligan #InMyELEMNT by @creedub

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2 years ago

I knew it. Everyone knew it. Unbound was going to be a BIG deal this year. It’s a big deal every year. But now we turn the page on familiarity and ‘what was’ to what this will be.

Unbound started almost twenty years ago and has opened a portal in the cycling universe. And now, at the end of May, some of the world’s best descend on a town, in Kansas, that even The Americans struggle to pinpoint on their own soil. It’s open season and the Europeans—add Lachy—came to play for f*cking keeps and I LOVED photographing every minute of it.

History was made in every elite field and the best documentary cycling photographers and journalists have taken slices of history and painted vivid expressions of what it was like to take part in one of the greatest gravel races on the planet.

To think, twenty years ago, this was just a simple idea…

#unbound #lifetimegrandprix #emporia #kansas #photography #photopace taken in Emporia, Kansas by @creedub

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2 years ago

Last year I was talking to a spectator during one of the races and they asked me if I was photographing anyone specific and I told them that I was LA Sweat’s team photographer. They lit up and said, “You make those women look like badasses!”

Starting my 4th season with LA Sweat. There’s something to be said about this team that has not only stayed away from the standard marketing mold of elite cycling here in The States but they have made a lasting impression in and out of the peloton. There are going to be many highs and certainly some lows this season but I have no doubt that these ladies will continue to leave an inspiring impression on the field.

It’s the 10th season of LA Sweat a woman-owned and woman-directed team. With a recent example in cycling news of how hard it is to create anything that is long-lasting in this industry, I am honored to be a part of this team and help tell their story for another year.

Almost time to put the earpieces in and turn the walkies on… 😈 @la_sweat_racing

#10yearsofsweat #cycling #photography #teamcamp #eastonpa taken in Easton, Pennsylvania by @creedub

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3 years ago

‘There are no atheists in a foxhole.’ This was a quote my dad shared with me when I was younger. I don’t remember the exact context at the time and I don’t think I knew what an atheist was when he shared this metaphor with me but the meaning came intuitively.

This summer I was able to live out one of my photo dreams: take a crew into the desert, make incredible work, push everything to the limit, celebrate the project. I planned and prepped with @gwilliees and @tamagoshawty. We had @adrian.adrada for talent and @kylethornhill. The whole thing went off without a hitch aside from forgetting to return the cooler to Wal-Mart because no one wanted to lug that thing back home on the plane.

Sometimes, though, dreams turn to nightmares. For the better part of this year I have made more runs to the hospital to see my dad than I have ever made for myself. The day this project was meant to go live I received a text saying that doctors had found a mass in my dad’s brain. Finally, for once, I had my own personal whole rollout planned for this project but, in the end, for me, it wasn’t meant to be.

If I had to count the things I’ve lost that actually matter over the years, luckily, I don’t have anything to add to that list. But, I know now, watching my dad fight for his life, without having the power to do anything about it, is exactly what being in foxhole is all about. And you wonder… I wonder, ‘… what is this all going to be like when I get to come out?’ Because I’ll get to come out. But, until the bombs stop, all I can do is sit and wait. Gonna have to believe in something while I’m down here.

New work for RoadiD summer collection + winter sneak peak (slide 1)

Producer/Director: Christopher Stricklen
Production Asst: Alana Mari
DP: Grace Williams
Photo Asst: Kyle Thornhill
Talent: Adrian Adrada

(Additional words pinned in the comments)

#photopace #roadid #deathvalley #easternsierras #cycling taken in Death Valley National Park by @creedub

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a month ago

Perception is reality. I’ll spare you the super long caption but what I will say is these images were made under some of the toughest physical, mental and emotional fatigue I’ve ever experienced before needing to work. Let alone the fact that I had 3 hours of sleep. However, all I needed to do was remind myself this is my favorite job ever.

20 selects from @thesfmarathon for @skratchlabs
#sfmarathon #marathons #running #runningphotos taken in San Francisco, California by @creedub

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2 months ago

There comes a time when your life will descend onto a rough patch. Personally, I like to believe that the universe selects a few million people per day to pulverize into submission and then they move on to a new batch the next day. A few years ago it was my turn to get my ass kicked. I remember talking to a friend about this chapter of my life and telling her how completely shitty this experience was but how much I’m enjoying the growth. I think I mentioned this in a previous post…

… So, I’m not quite sure how the universe pulls names but they get back around to the top of the list pretty fast. Just a heads up. So many opportunities didn’t come through last winter. So many emails never got answered or dialogue just evaporated. I’m also still not immune to dropping the ball on my own accord. Overcoming these types of challenges are reality of being a freelance photographer. But, I’ll be honest with you, at some point between October and February I was pretty confident that I had dreamt my last dream.

I think what I enjoyed from that rough patch a few years ago was the ability to witness my fictional, rational self, guide my very real, irrational self through this very challenging moment in life. And, every now and then, there were little glimmers of success that felt very rewarding throughout the process. This did not apply to the predicament I found myself in through this past winter. And it turns out the universe is running a daily double this year. Shout out to my Jeopardy fans… so I’m still actively being pulverized.

It would be pretty disingenuous to make this seem like my first tussle with the universe. It’s just kind of the way life goes. It IS hard to say what the rules are, though, to be honest. I know FOR A FACT I didn’t win every battle. I know I lost a few, for sure. But I guess you still get to keep playing as long for as you’re willing to play???? Maybe that’s the lesson this time around.

About a month ago I flew four friends into the desert for a two-part campaign. More on that soon. So at least we know we’re still here, dreaming 😉

Work from earlier this year for @skratchlabs

#running #photography #nutrition #runningphotography taken in San Francisco, California by @creedub

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3 months ago

Christoper Stricklen is one of the most trusted photographers within the cycling space. He joins The Stable Cyclist pod this week to talk about trust, believing in your own work and much more. The conversation is live on YouTube and all audio platforms. by @creedub

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3 months ago

I finally pulled off the highway on the drive home from Kansas after missing opportunity after opportunity to photograph the environment that the highway cut through… but I also had to pee.

During this intermission @gwilliees stood outside of the car and took the time to pull out a block of wood that she had began whittling at when I took over to drive into Emporia. Her first wooden spoon was nearly finished. She apologized that her wood chips had flown back into the car and partially into my duffle. I told her, ‘No I’m kind of into that these days… these contextual remnants.’ These wood chips are only chips to those who don’t take the time to wonder. But a curious soul may recognize these carvings or, at least, appreciate what they could mean.

A bike race, whether it be 200 miles or 350 miles is just a bike race. Mud is just mud. A hug, albeit inherently special, is a common gesture. But, for those who know, those who have shared these remnants, they understand these to be evidence of something special.

#unbound #lifetimegrandprix #gravelrace #cyclingphotography #photopace taken in Emporia, Kansas by @creedub

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4 months ago

CIM - 2:59:29 - the return

2025 has been the year of return. Return to myself, the practice of confidence without limits, the return to who I was before the doubts that come with existing crept in. We all collect these quiet limiting beliefs over time, the ones that whisper “that’s too much” or “that’s too fast”. For the last three years I’ve put in work and yes the work matters, but ultimately it was the undoing of those beliefs that led me to this race.

Triathlon training requires brick workouts which are two different activities stacked in one day. I lived in that rhythm all year. Every workout I kept thinking I’m not only stacking them, I’m tearing them down. Tearing down the bricks I built that whispered “I can’t top that, that goal is too big” or “why am I trying this hard at this time in my life”. Tearing down the bricks that limit the action and rebuilding them with grit and fierce limitless determination. I can do this. I am more than capable. There is so much for me to discover in this lifetime. Running is my conduit.

I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who has supported me through the chaos of training this year. The early mornings, the start lines, the little reminders that I am so massively supported by the best people. Community is the backbone of every athlete. Wrapping up this year with a sub 3 marathon has been everything and more. Boston & New York Qualified ✔️

Time to get back to work 😈

Thank you for the photos, @creedub - You caught the emotion of the race so well and I appreciate having these moments documented. taken in California International Marathon by @creedub

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10 months ago

Having ‘purpose’, even if undefined, has been the only way that Photo Pace was able to exist. Luckily, for us, maybe the lack of definition made it easy of enough to let go of the identity we created at time.

Social media undergoes a new facelift every couple of months. We aren’t even looking at the same platform that brought us into the new year. This account is run by humans who inevitably will find the limit of their abilities to keep your attention for more than 3 seconds. These changes, however, have also created the ability to collaborate with the photo-outdoor sports community in ways that weren’t available to us before. So we’re giving this one more shot. Wish us luck 🍀

Thank you @boundlesslocomotion for putting on an outstanding race! ♥️

#photopace #cyclocross #photography #cycling by @creedub

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a year ago

When people ask the classic ‘If you were on a deserted island’ question, a part of me always tends to think that I would enjoy the idea of being on a secluded island, starting over… that could actually be ideal. Ironically, that is not the person I am. But I’m starting to think the person I am, I was, that identity is shedding. And not to use too many idioms, they say, ‘you just gotta rip the bandaid off [and start over]’ but if who you are is the band-aid, and you leave it on too long, that rip might be more painful than you wanted and it can feel very isolating. But you gotta start at some point lest life will run away from you.

I think most people, at some point, will experience a tragedy of existence. Maybe if you’re not here long enough that is the tragedy in and of itself. But being alive requires a struggle and a climax no matter how or when it happens. And I don’t think that coming to a resolution beyond that is actually afforded to all that exist here. That is a luxury. That is the goal—pursuing a sustainable self instead of maintaining a familiar one.

I turned 40 a little over a month ago. No big party. Nothing timely to say to punctuate four decades of life. No big gifts. Just down to a few important things on this island. But this is a good place to start.

Personal and Professional work from the past year (2024-2025)

#photography #cycling #cyclingphoto #trackcycling #running #blackandwhitephotography #photopace by @creedub

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a year ago

Two years ago I came to Leadville with expectations of sorts. I felt like I was ‘seeing well’, my mind was clear and I was afforded an opportunity to photograph in an environment that was completely new to me. A fresh canvas… but sometimes the paint doesn’t stick. I don’t know how else to explain it but I didn’t feel what I wanted to feel from a place that reverberates with sensation.

I knew I would love an opportunity to come back to Leadville and the fact that I had an additional year to sit and think about my relationship with this idea of ‘process’ and the hypothesis that failure rarely occurs in one event. Right before I arrived in Leadville my main lens failed on me. I could still fire it but in only one setting. Even though I set nearly zero goals for this event, now, it wouldn’t even be worth a thought. Fire the lens. Stick to the basics.

What if you knew, in the end, that you would come up short, would you still try? If the answer is yes, would you go as hard as originally planned or would you go harder? The result, for this example, doesn’t change. In the end, this won’t be the moment your dream celebration. And if you answer, ‘No’, I get it, but why? Why remove yourself from the opportunity to find that missing piece of the puzzle? Stay in there. Go.

These pursuits, these ideas we have of ourselves, these validations, they come at a great cost to your present self. You cannot stay the same to achieve these ‘things’. So it’s worth your best, every time, even if you come up short. And then one day… you’ll get it. taken in Leadville, Colorado by @creedub

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a year ago