"Explosion Occurs in Colin Strickland's World, Now He's Turning His Focus to Restoring Classic Automobiles After Retirement from Racing in 2022"
Cyclist Colin Strickland Abandons Racing After Tragic Love Triangle
In the realm of cycling, Colin Strickland, a force to reckon with, has traded his high-octane gravel rides for the slower-paced life of an auto restorer – all thanks to a devastating love triangle that shook the cycling world in 2022.
Back in the day, Strickland was a cycling sensation. Winning the Red Hook Crit four years in a row and taking the crown at Kansas' Unbound Gravel 200 left no doubt he was a fierce competitor. But a twist of fate made him a far cry from the cyclist he used to be.
Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, yet another rising star in the gravel cycling scene, fell victim to a tragic shooting in Austin, Texas, in May 2022. Strickland, who was linked to Wilson romance-wise, found himself embroiled in a complex web of personal relationships and crime. The case centers around Wilson, Strickland, and Kaitlin Armstrong, Strickland’s former girlfriend at the time of the murder, who later was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Strickland’s life was flipped upside down in a heartbeat. The emotional turmoil engulfed him, and he described it as a "bomb" that exploded in his world. In conversations with Cyclingnews, he stressed the event being "horrific" and "wasteful," causing him to lose all interest in cycling. It felt like "everything was burning," leaving him with no desire for a cycling comeback.
The incident, coupled with the loss of sponsors, fueled doubts and doubts of his connection to the tragedy. Thankfully, Strickland was cleared as a suspect during the investigation by the Austin Police Department in 2022 and during the murder trial before a jury in 2023, testifying since he was the last person to see Wilson alive before her death.
Moving away from his former life, Strickland now focuses on restoring old Mercedes SUVs and trucks with distinct turbo diesel engines. He's also engaged in renovating a 1915 house, and even helped his mother buy a new home near his current place in central Texas.
While cycling memories still linger, the passion for training and racing has faded. Strickland doesn't even go back to his previous career as an environmental consultant who surveyed habitats for endangered species in development projects. His days now revolve around leisurely rides around his small town. He has a new relationship with his cycling past: “It's a bit different." But he hasn’t abandoned all ties completely; he still watches the live broadcast of significant races like the Unbound Gravel 200.
Strickland's journey from the competitive cycling scene to the world of automotive restoration is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Though the tragic events of 2022 left an indelible mark on him, he remains optimistic as he carves out a new path for himself.
Strickland, who was once a dominant figure in bike racing, having won the Red Hook Crit four times and claimed victory at the Kansas' Unbound Gravel 200, now finds himself distanced from the high-stakes world of gravel racing. His interest in sports has dwindled significantly due to the emotional turmoil that ensued from a tragic love triangle incident in 2022, leading him to pursue a new career in automotive restoration.
