The street where I live

I live on a hill in Brisbane. Hundreds of cyclists ride past my door each week. Most of them have climbed up the hill from the cycle bridge that crosses the river to the university. They reach the highest point in their ride just before they get to my place, then start down the first steep pitch of the descent to the track along the river.

In the early morning and on weekends, packs of lycra clads on expensive road bikes roll past shouting, then they thin out to give way to commuters with back packs or panniers followed by the daily neighbourhood comings and goings, on old mountain bikes, cruisers and bmx, a few now heading the other way, up the hill.

And that's where I rolled out my new green single speed. Down the Terrace and over Boundary street on the bridge, straight ahead at the bottom and into the left turn on Hoogley, then through the round abouts and on to the long flat track around the river, as far as the crowds at Southbank or the wharfs at Kangaroo Point if you like. Then again, a little bit faster this time..... Down the Terrace spinning as fast as I can till I can't keep up, tuck and roll, spin, through and into the dropping left hander, start wide, try not to touch the brakes. Almost straight, through the small round about, then the big round about at the bottom of the hill with the busses and the reverse camber....watch out.... and on round the river as far as I like till I turn around and head back up the hill. And again a bit faster.

Now I'm not competitive. I'm out riding for fun and exercise. I'm only looking for the fastest line down the hill to keep my mind ocupied....But when I pull out for my ride and see two skinny guys in lycra appearing at the top of the hill behind me, I hit it as hard as I can. Out of the seat, pumping up to speed then spinning like mad hardly coasting till I get to Ganges street. I quickly look behind me as I pull out to line up the left hander. And the guy behind pulls around me just as we exit the corner. I look at him. He looks at me. He turns over his pedals and starts to pull ahead. Mine won't engage at this speed. "Dam!" I call Out at Him "I need a bigger gear!"

I caught him again when he slowed at the big round about and there's a little hill, before he pulled away again on the flat along the river. Spinning as fast as I could, smooth and fast, he still pulls away, then his mate passed me as well and I had to give in. I need a bigger gear!